Mark Bomon (Bo) Connell
Wallingford,USA
Summary
Senior executive leader in higher education and academic medicine with a strong track record of enhancing institutional performance through strategic vision and operational excellence. Expertise in mobilizing interdisciplinary teams to align academic and clinical missions, resulting in transformative outcomes. Proven ability to foster innovation and build inclusive cultures that enhance stakeholder trust among faculty, staff, and healthcare partners. Extensive experience in not-for-profit academic medical centers, effectively navigating education, research, and patient care to achieve long-term institutional impact.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
VICE PRESIDENT for Finance and Administration / CFO
Washington College
Chestertown, MD
07.2024 - Current
- Reduced unexpected year-end operating deficit by over $14 million, surpassing original budget improvement by approximately $2 million.
- Closed $16 million cash shortfall to achieve projected positive cash balance at fiscal year end.
- Reorganized annual budget development process to eliminate structural issues and ensure balanced operating budget.
- Developed culture of trust and respect with faculty leadership, enhancing financial literacy for improved budget management.
- Reviewed reports from functional areas to assess progress towards organizational goals.
- Collaborated with Board and executive team members on major decisions regarding college-wide initiatives.
ASSOCIATE DEAN for Finance, Administration & Strategy
Villanova University – Charles Widger School of Law
Villanova, PA
04.2019 - 06.2024
- Led business and administrative operations, including financial management, human resources, and compliance.
- Managed Law School operating budget, overseeing forecasting, allocation, and strategic resource utilization.
- Cultivated relationships with faculty to enhance collaboration between administration and faculty members.
- Provided strategic direction for key initiatives, supporting data-driven decision-making across departments.
- Analyzed data related to retention rates, enrollment trends, course offerings, curriculum changes in order to identify areas for improvement or growth opportunities.
ASSISTANT DEAN for Hospital Operations
Texas A&M University – College of Veterinary Medicine
College Station, TX
06.2016 - 04.2019
- Directed administrative operations for Texas Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, managing senior leadership team of 12 and 450 employees.
- Spearheaded transition to enterprise-wide business solution, integrating automated patient care platform and boosting charge capture by 23%.
- Implemented first electronic veterinary tele-health program in Texas, enhancing service delivery efficiency.
- Developed strategic plan with faculty input, achieving 12% operating margin, a 26% increase from previous year.
- Achieved over 20% reduction in operating expenses through process enhancements and established best practices.
- Enhanced charge capture by 10%, elevating customer satisfaction scores to net preference score of 92% among elite institutions.
- Served as member of AVMA Congressional Advocacy group, lobbying officials for increased funding for research and public student loan forgiveness programs.
HOSPITAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / COO
University of Pennsylvania – School of Veterinary Medicine
Philadelphia, PA
11.2012 - 06.2016
- Collaborated with faculty and administration to create and implement strategic operating plan, achieving financial turnaround for a prestigious veterinary teaching hospital.
- Managed eight-person senior leadership team overseeing 200 employees, resulting in 5% growth in contribution margin and over $1 million reduction in operating expenses.
- Increased annual margin by $5.5 million for fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.
- Instituted new Business Office policies enhancing revenue collection and reducing bad debt expense.
- Developed enterprise-wide electronic medical record (EMR) and billing system to optimize hospital operations and support research objectives.
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, GA
04.2007 - 10.2011
- Spearheaded international expansion strategy for prominent not-for-profit higher education start-up.
- Negotiated with Hong Kong government to establish first fully-accredited U.S. degree-granting institution in region.
- Identified and evaluated global merger and acquisition opportunities exceeding $150 million across four continents.
- Formulated strategy to enhance tuition revenue and increase enrollment by six percent using $65 million in institutional aid.
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING/PRACTICE ADMINISTRATOR
Memorial Health University Medical Center
Savannah, GA
12.2003 - 04.2007
- Generated $9 million in incremental revenue through first hospital/physician joint venture project.
- Established inaugural hospital medicine program in Southeast Georgia, enhancing patient care and increasing revenues by $1.5 million.
- Led portfolio of hospital-owned medical practices, monitoring annual operating plans and financial performance metrics.
- Directed strategic land use planning and implementation for optimal resource utilization.
- Conducted research on regional economic trends to support informed decision-making.
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
New Hanover Health Network
Wilmington, NC
08.2002 - 09.2003
- Managed a team of marketing professionals in the implementation of campaigns, advertising, promotions, and public relations activities.
- Lobbied elected officials in support of medical malpractice tort reform, i.e., The Rally in Raleigh.
MANAGER OF PAYOR/PROVIDER RELATIONS
UF Health Shands Hospital
Gainesville, FL
10.1997 - 08.2002
- Developed risk-bearing managed care plan for over 10,000 Shands Healthcare employees and dependents.
- Established network of more than 120 faculty and community-based healthcare providers in Gainesville and Jacksonville, enhancing negotiating power with managed care contracts.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards to mitigate risks.
- Monitored budgets and expenditures to maintain cost-effectiveness and uphold quality standards.
MANAGER OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Columbia HCA Central Florida Division
Winter Park, FL
06.1993 - 10.1997
- Established division-wide occupational medicine program, securing most new contracts in division.
- Facilitated strategic planning to enhance physician partnerships across the division.
- Formed vendor partnerships to expand into new markets and industries.
- Developed and executed business development strategies to boost market share.
Education
MBA - Finance
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
MS - Healthcare Administration
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
BS - Marketing
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
Skills
Strategic and financial leadership
Operational excellence
Change management and transformation
Stakeholder engagement and governance
Talent development and leadership
Data-driven decision making
Business acumen and innovation
Communication and relationship building
Technical expertise and regulatory compliance
Board relations and government affairs
Selected Achievements
- Reduced a $19M year-end operating deficit to $4.7M, improving results by over $14M and outperforming the planned deficit by ~$2M.
- Launched the first hospital/physician joint venture in Southeast Georgia, generating $9M in new revenue; established the region’s first Hospitalist program.
- Led 200+ staff in turning around Penn Vet’s teaching hospital, achieving its first-ever operating surplus.
- Created a risk-bearing managed care plan covering 10,000+ healthcare employees and dependents.
- Negotiated with the Hong Kong government to establish SCAD Hong Kong, the first U.S. degree-granting institution in the region.
- Advocated for tort reform and federal funding initiatives through state and national lobbying efforts, including the AVMA Congressional Advocacy Program.
Additional Experience
- Founding Manager - SmART & Design 10/2011 - 11/2012
- Healthcare Administrator - 03/1997 - 04/2007
Accolades And Accomplishments
- U.S. Department of Defense – Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (2022 & 2024)
- National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment – NABITA (2023)
- Leadership at Penn (2016)
- Executive Leadership Program – The Wharton School (2014)
- Six Sigma Black Belt & LEAN Certification (2006)
Timeline
VICE PRESIDENT for Finance and Administration / CFO
Washington College
07.2024 - Current
ASSOCIATE DEAN for Finance, Administration & Strategy
Villanova University – Charles Widger School of Law
04.2019 - 06.2024
ASSISTANT DEAN for Hospital Operations
Texas A&M University – College of Veterinary Medicine
06.2016 - 04.2019
HOSPITAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / COO
University of Pennsylvania – School of Veterinary Medicine
11.2012 - 06.2016
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Savannah College of Art and Design
04.2007 - 10.2011
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING/PRACTICE ADMINISTRATOR
Memorial Health University Medical Center
12.2003 - 04.2007
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
New Hanover Health Network
08.2002 - 09.2003
MANAGER OF PAYOR/PROVIDER RELATIONS
UF Health Shands Hospital
10.1997 - 08.2002
MANAGER OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Columbia HCA Central Florida Division
06.1993 - 10.1997
MBA - Finance
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
MS - Healthcare Administration
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
BS - Marketing
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
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