New Vice President Named at Utah State University

New Vice President Named at Utah State University

Utah State University President Kermit L. Hall announced today the appointment of a former vice president of manufacturing for Schreiber Foods, Inc., as the new vice president for Finance and Business.

Ron Godfrey, of North Logan, will assume his new responsibilities beginning January. He replaces Fred R. Hunsaker, who retires the end of the month.

"Ron Godfrey brings a history of financial and administrative success in the private sector - success that underscores his appreciation for being entrepreneurial, focused and able to work successfully with a broad range of people," Hall said. "We were looking for a person who would bring innovation, discipline and determination to the new office of Vice President for Finance and Business and I have no doubt that he will deliver in all these areas. I'm also pleased to find talent close to home."

Godfrey, who graduated from Utah State with a bachelor's in English in 1974 and a master's in business degree in 1976, said that since his childhood days he has always felt "an unequivocal loyalty" to Utah State. "I'm excited to help the university and I will do all I can to make Utah State successful."

He noted that the past three years have been tremendously challenging for the university with the "pull down effect" that first struck the private sector and then moved into the public sector with the decline in the stock market and the economy. He said his early focus will be on working with the legislature and alumni to help deal with faculty and staff compensation issues. He said Utah State University is fortunate to be located where it is in such a great community and that he will emphasize partnership building between Logan City and the university.

Most of Godfrey's career has been spent with Schreiber Foods, the world's largest food service cheese company and the second largest retail cheese company in the United States with total annual sales of $1.4 billion.

During the 23 years with this company, he worked as plant manager of total operations at locations in Pennsylvania, Missouri and Utah. The final six years of his career at Schreibers were as vice president of manufacturing in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he was responsible for six manufacturing plants and all business functions at each facility, in addition to three distribution centers.

After leaving Schreiber Foods and arriving in Logan in 2000, he worked for Merrill Lynch. He then started a new office in Logan for Smith Barney. During the past three years, he has taught business classes as an adjunct professor in the management and human resource department in the College of Business at Utah State. He has also advised 150-200 students while in the college.

"I pay attention to details and do things right the first time," he said in his letter to the search committee. "I am dedicated to hard work as a leader, mentor and teacher to help others buy into process and culture ... I will work tirelessly to achieve new levels of success and prosperity at Utah State University and will do everything in my power to support the ten goals of the university."

He has served on the board of directors for local divisions of The American Red Cross and Hospice; Chamber of Commerce board of directors, Logan; and member of the North Logan City Council. He is married to Marie, and they are the parents of six children.