Caputo expected to be named interim president of COD
Acknowledging it could take months to replace departing school President Ann Rondeau, College of DuPage trustees are planning to appoint Brian W. Caputo, vice president of administrative affairs and treasurer, as interim president.
On Thursday night, trustees said they don't want to rush what's expected to be a national search to replace Rondeau, who is leaving the Glen Ellyn school on Dec. 31 to become the next president of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
They all voiced support for having Caputo oversee the day-to-day operations at COD until a permanent president is hired.
"I think the search for a new president is something we absolutely, positively should do in a very deliberate manner," Trustee Charles Bernstein said. "With Dr. Caputo in place, I think we have the continuity we need, and we have the luxury of being able to take as much time as we need without sacrificing quality of leadership."
The board is expected to take formal action to appoint Caputo next month when it votes on a succession plan. If the plan is approved, Caputo's tenure as interim president will begin Jan. 1.
Caputo said he will accept the position if offered.
"This organization has a heart for its students and I do too," Caputo said. "It's very gratifying that the board feels confidence in me to be able to lead the organization, at least on an interim basis, to keep the progress going."
Caputo joined COD in March 2017 after serving nearly 19 years as Aurora's chief financial officer and city treasurer.
Board Chairwoman Deanne Mazzochi said Caputo has since shown "a commitment to excellence" at the college.
COD officials said Caputo has been "integrally involved" in two major academic initiatives at the community college - Guided Pathways and Project Hire-Ed. He also worked as a member of the executive team that helped establish Innovation DuPage, a new business incubator and accelerator.
Mazzochi said those and other initiatives COD has been working on "wouldn't be where they are today" without Caputo's "incredible work."
"I have utmost confidence that Dr. Caputo would be able to serve admirably in the role of interim president," Mazzochi said.
Caputo holds a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy, a master's in accountancy from DePaul University, and a master's in public administration from Northern Illinois University. He also earned a doctorate from NIU with public administration, public policy and government finance as fields of study.
Caputo is a certified public accountant and a certified public finance officer. In 2015, he became a member of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. He is a past president of the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association and a past chairman of the association's technical accounting review committee.
COD officials say Caputo has higher educational experience as a full-time faculty member at Central Michigan University, an adjunct professor at NIU, and guest lecturer.
In 2004, Caputo retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a lieutenant colonel after more than 22 years of active and reserve military service. He specialized in financial and human resources management during that time.