Lehman to serve as interim vice chancellor

Chancellor Rebecca Blank has selected a deeply experienced executive and UW–Madison alumnus to serve as interim vice chancellor for finance and administration.

Michael Lehman, a 1974 graduate of the Wisconsin School of Business, served as the initial chief financial officer of Palo Alto Networks. Prior to that he was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sun Microsystems Inc. He is originally from Sun Prairie.

His first full day on campus will be March 7.

Lehman is currently a board member of the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Milwaukee-based MGIC, and Dallas-based Solera Holdings Inc. He is also a member of the foundation’s Van Hise Society of supporters.

He is on the board of the Nicholas Center for Corporate Finance and Investment Banking in the Wisconsin School of Business and is the former chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board. He also served on the Department of Computer Sciences Board of Visitors.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Michael’s caliber willing and ready to step in and provide stability during this period,” says Blank. “His management experience at the highest levels of the technology industry make him well-suited to our needs.”

“I’m deeply honored to be asked to help during this transition period,” says Lehman, who has a summer home in Madison in addition to his permanent residence in Arizona.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration is responsible for the overall supervision of the university’s financial and administrative functions, including budget, facilities planning, business services, and some student services.

Current Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Darrell Bazzell is leaving in March for a similar position at the University of Texas at Austin. Bazzell has served as UW–Madison’s chief financial and administrative officer since 2003.

The search for Bazzell’s permanent replacement has already started, and Blank says she hopes to name someone for the role this fall.