Lindenwood University has named Rick Baniak vice president of fiscal affairs and chief financial officer. With an impressive background in fiscal management, Baniak will join the Lindenwood community in St. Charles starting Oct. 26.

“Rick’s background in overseeing the fiscal health of higher education institutions makes him a wonderful addition to Lindenwood,” shared Dr. John Porter, president of Lindenwood.

Baniak joins Lindenwood with previous experience as vice chancellor of finance and administration and chief financial officer for the University of Missouri– St. Louis (UMSL), where he managed university fiscal affairs, facilities, human resources and additional departments. Prior to UMSL, Baniak served as a divisional CFO at a Fortune 500 company in the St. Louis area.

"I am impressed with the quality of the leadership team that Dr. Porter has assembled and with the goals of the University,” said Baniak. “I am excited to be joining this team."

Baniak holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UMSL – both in economics. He earned a certificate in corporate communications from St. Louis University and attended Stanford University’s Executive Education Program on Mergers and Acquisitions.