FULLERTON : Cal State Chief Fiscal Officer to Leave Post

After spending a decade as Cal State Fullerton’s vice president for administration and chief fiscal officer, Sal D. Rinella will leave in October to become president of Austin Peay State University of Tennessee.

Rinella, 47, said he was attracted to his new job because Austin Peay is facing challenges that Cal State Fullerton already has met.

Cal State Fullerton recently completed a new science and new university center buildings. Austin Peay plans to do the same, Rinella said.

In addition, “Austin Peay wants to expand partnerships with its local community and businesses,” said Rinella, who is responsible for Cal State Fullerton’s $200-million operating, capital and auxiliary budgets.

He led the effort that brought the $10.2-million sports complex and the $16-million hotel and conference center on campus in an innovative joint venture between the university, the city of Fullerton and the Marriott Corp.

Rinella is responsible for a budgeting system that has been praised by other university officials, including President Milton A. Gordon, for “giving the campus the capability to conduct reliable financial planning.”

Rinella begins his new job Oct. 20. A reception in his honor will be held on campus Oct. 3, and his last day at Cal State Fullerton will be Oct. 14.