Geoff Chatas, Ohio State’s senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer, is leaving Ohio State for his alma mater, Georgetown University, where he will act as its senior vice president and chief operating officer. Credit: Lantern archives

Geoff Chatas, Ohio State’s senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer, is leaving Ohio State for his alma mater, Georgetown University, where he will act as its senior vice president and chief operating officer.

In June, Chatas signed a renewed contract with Ohio State, to remain in his role through 2020.

“In this role, Geoff will provide executive leadership for our University’s major operational functions, including Budget and Finance, Planning and Facilities Management, Human Resources, Information Service, Investment and Internal Audit,” a Georgetown statement read.

After seven years serving in his role as CFO at Ohio State, Chatas will remain with the university through early February. Michael Papadakis, the deputy chief financial officer and treasurer, will serve as interim CFO when Chatas departs.

Chatas has overseen Ohio State’s $5 billion annual budget and is responsible for many of its controversial public-private partnerships like CampusParc, a 50-year, $483 million deal, which privatized the university’s parking services.

Chatas almost left Ohio State in 2015 to work for QIC Global Infrastructures, which was the company the university leased its parking to, responsible for the formation of CampusParc.

A few weeks later, Chatas changed his mind and decided to stick with Ohio State.

Additionally, Chatas helped guide the university into its energy partnership with Engie-Axium, now called Ohio State Energy Partners. The $1.165 billion deal was the largest investment in university history.

“Chatas has helped lead a number of additional initiatives that support the university’s access, affordability and excellence focus, including administrative efficiencies, a collaboration with Apple to launch a digital learning initiative and a contract with NIKE to further support scholarships, teaching and more,” an Ohio State release said.

In 2015, Chatas was appointed by Gov. John Kasich to run Ohio’s Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency in Higher Education, a group comprised of nine members who have been asked to examine ways for Ohio’s public colleges and universities to hold down costs.

“The work of Geoff and his team has contributed greatly to momentum across our university,” said University President Michael Drake in the release. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Geoff to return to his alma mater — and we wish him the very best.”

In 2016, Chatas was paid $779,191, including bonuses, making him one of the university’s highest-paid executives.