EIU Media Relations

McCann Chosen to Serve as Interim Vice President for Business Affairs

Eastern Illinois University Treasurer Paul McCann has been chosen by President Bill Perry to serve as interim vice president for business affairs following the Dec. 31 retirement of Jeff Cooley.

A national search is currently underway for Cooley's permanent successor. Officials hope to have a candidate in place by April 1, 2009.

"I am very pleased that Paul agreed to serve Eastern as interim vice president," Perry said. "He will be very valuable to the university in this role, as we move into the upcoming legislative session and move forward with our university programs and projects."

McCann began serving Eastern as director of business services/treasurer in June 2006.

He received his bachelor's degree in business/accounting from Augustana College in Rock Island. In addition to his work at Murphey, Jenne and Jones (now known as Peat Marwick), McCann has served as a partner with the accounting firm of Doehring Winders and Co., LLP, and as chief financial officer with Behnke and Co., Inc., a Decatur insurance firm.

He also serves as treasurer of Macon Resources, a Decatur endeavor which offers job opportunities for the developmentally disabled.

Cooley, an EIU graduate and 25-year employee of the institution, was appointed vice president for business affairs in June 2001 by then-president Carol Surles, following a national search. He was no stranger to the office, having served as assistant vice president from 1997 to 1999, and as acting vice president for business affairs following the 1999 resignation of Morgan Olsen. Previously, Cooley served as director of internal auditing (1983-1997) at EIU.