Ernest L. Duncan Named Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Vera Institute of Justice
NEW YORK—The Vera Institute of Justice has named Ernest L. Duncan as its chief financial officer and chief operating officer, effective February 1, 2007. Duncan returns to Vera where he formerly served as director of financial services. In his new position, he will manage Vera’s $20 million annual budget and supervise the fiscal, information technology, facilities, and human resources departments.
“This is an important strategic position in helping senior management to grow and sustain the work we do nationally,” said Michael Jacobson. “We are thrilled to have someone as talented and dedicated as Ernest managing Vera’s finances.”
As chief financial and operating officer, Duncan will be responsible for balancing Vera’s budgets and maximizing financial efficiencies. One of his early challenges will be to work with the IT department to upgrade Vera’s technical capacity.
“I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to return to Vera in this leadership role,” said Duncan. “I have a great appreciation for the work Vera does and the positive impact it has on individuals and communities throughout the United States and abroad.”
Duncan joined Vera in 2002 as the director of financial services. He left in March 2007 to become chief financial officer of Wildcat Service Corporation, a Vera spin-off. Prior to coming to Vera, Duncan was the director of finance and administration at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. Duncan has also held positions at the Museum of African American History and the Smithsonian Institution.
In addition to his work at Vera, Duncan serves on the board of directors of the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the New York State Society of CPAs and its Not-for-Profit Organizations Committee. He is a lifetime member of the National Black MBA Association and is past president of its Nashville chapter. Duncan holds a DBA in management and leadership from the University of Phoenix. He is a graduate of George Washington University and the University of Alabama.
Duncan succeeds Russ Pomeranz, who left Vera in October 2007 to join Fiscal Management Associates as a manager of consulting and training services.