Dear colleagues,
We write to share the bittersweet news that Mike Bass will retire May 1 after a 20-year career at the University of Illinois System. He currently serves as the Special Advisor to the President and Deputy Comptroller. In this role he also led procurement diversity and legislative initiatives.
During Mike’s career in the System Offices, he has served as a leader in the Office of Business and Financial Services organization for 18 years and served as Assistant Vice President for External Affairs, Executive Assistant Vice President for Operations and External Relations, Executive Assistant Vice President for the Office of Business and Financial Services, Senior Associate Vice President for Capital Programs and Real Estate Services, and the Senior Associate Vice President for Business and Finance and Deputy Comptroller. For a brief time, he also served as the Interim Executive Director designate for Governmental Relations, utilizing his vast experience in state government.
Prior to joining the University of Illinois System, he spent 15 years working in Springfield in the Bureau of the Budget, as a member of the Senate Minority Appropriations Staff, Budget Director for the Department of Public Aid, and 10 years as Appropriations Director for the Senate Majority Staff.
Mike’s time with the University of Illinois goes beyond the office. Mike received his Bachelor (Political Science) and MBA degrees from the U of I Urbana-Champaign. He was also a notable student athlete known as the “barefoot kicker.” His career at UIUC earned him membership in the All-Century Football Team and the All Decade (1980’s) Football Team for the Fighting Illini.
Mike’s exemplary leadership in business and financial services, governmental relations, and procurement diversity has driven innovative solutions and systems that enhances our services and value for the three universities.
We hope you will join us in thanking Mike for his contributions to the U of I System and wishing him the very best in this next chapter. More information will be forthcoming on where the units that currently report to Mike will reside after his departure. Please feel free to share this news as appropriate.
Thank you,
Tim and Paul