Vice President for Business and Finance
David E. Lechner was selected as vice president for business and finance in August 1999. In this role, Mr. Lechner serves as chief financial officer of the University of Nebraska system. He is responsible for a broad range of activities including financial and tax reporting, debt offerings, management of university-held endowments and trust funds, risk management activities, and employee benefit programs. In addition, the office of vice president is charged with oversight of collective bargaining with organized employee groups, capital planning for the university system, and administrative computing systems.

He has provided leadership in several university initiatives including the President's Task Force on Administrative Efficiencies (the "Burns Committee") and the President's Health Care Advisory Committee. Lechner also is involved in the President's Council, the Board of Policy Advisors for the Kiewit Institute, the Othmer-Topp Endowment Committee, UNL and UNK's Athletic Advisory Committees, the Council of Business Officers, Lied and Pepsi Endowments, and Nebraska Technology Development Corporation.

Prior to joining the university, Mr. Lechner enjoyed a 20-year career with the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP. His public accounting experience included auditing and consulting work in the disciplines of financial reporting, internal control systems, planning, projections, initial public offerings, financing and debt negotiations, litigation support, and regulatory compliance. He was an active member of the firm's national public sector group, serving large state and local governments, higher education, K-12, and not-for-profit clients throughout the Midwest along with a wide variety of public and private commercial clientele.

Lechner has long been active in community organizations and he currently serves on the Boards of Directors of St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants. He has also served as past president of several groups including the United Way of Lincoln Board of Directors, Storytelling Festival of Nebraska, Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Lincoln, and Associated General Contractors-Associates Group. Recognition and awards include Outstanding Young Individual - City of Lincoln and the Key to the City of Lincoln.

Lechner is a certified public accountant. Professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants, the National Association of College and University Business Officers, and the Government Finance Officers of America (Special Review Committee).

Mr. Lechner is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and attended Nebraska City High School in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

Lechner and his wife Janet have three children, Joel, Jay, and Cari and he is a native of Union, Nebraska.