(Butler, PA) William “Jake” Friel, who for nearly 30 years as Butler County Community College’s controller has managed the finances of more than $50 million in construction projects, helped to shape an operating budget that today is nearly $30 million and directed the completion of 27 successful audits, has been named BC3’s vice president for administration and finance.
The 59-year-old resident of Connoquenessing Township in Butler County was selected after a national search and succeeds James A. Hrabosky in the Cabinet-level position. Hrabosky was vice president for administration and finance since 2008 and stepped down Sept. 30 to become executive of special projects with Armco Credit Union.
Friel since Oct. 1 has served in the position’s interim capacity.
“That’s what BC3 does. When you come here, you may be trying to figure out, ‘Hey, what is my purpose in life? What am I to do?’ BC3 assists you with trying to find that purpose you want to find. … It will help you to find a purpose in this life.”
He is one of 19 members of his family – “sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, sons, daughter” – to have attended BC3, whose purpose, he said, “is to help you find your purpose.
“That’s what BC3 does. When you come here, you may be trying to figure out, ‘Hey, what is my purpose in life? What am I to do?’ BC3 assists you with trying to find that purpose you want to find. … It will help you to find a purpose in this life.”
Among Friel’s responsibilities will be to prepare BC3’s annual operating budget, govern financial planning and forecasting, advise the college president and board of trustees about the college’s financial condition and develop short- and long-term strategies to achieve balanced spending plans.
“The combination of Jake’s financial expertise and his history at BC3 allow for a great opportunity to look at our institution,” said Megan M. Coval, BC3’s interim president.
“The combination of Jake’s financial expertise and his history at BC3 allow for a great opportunity to look at our institution.”
“That is examining who we are now, who we want to be moving forward, and doing so in a way that ensures our financials align with our priorities and are set up to help us be successful in the future.
“Over the past five months, I have had the opportunity to work closely with him and have been impressed by his work ethic, creative thinking and command of the college’s finances – all rooted in his deep commitment to the institution.”
Friel will directly supervise the college’s controller, its director of information technology, its bookstore manager, its purchasing staff members and its director of student financial services. He will also supervise information technology risk-management initiatives and the drawing and approval of all contracts with bargaining units, outside agencies, institutions and individuals.
The vice president for administration and finance also acts as a liaison with the state, Butler County and federal agencies concerned with financial aspects of the college.
His tenure at BC3, he said, “has given me a deep understanding and knowledge about the college’s finances and financial condition. My years of experience put me in a position to help guide the college.”
Friel earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania after attending BC3 for two years.
He volunteers with the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania in Butler and is a basketball referee with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Friel joins Dr. Belinda Richardson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Josh Novak, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, and other executives on BC3’s Cabinet.
He and his wife, Donna, are the parents of sons Joseph and Tyler, and daughter Christina.
