CLEMSON -- After a nationwide search, Clemson University has tapped an insider to be its new chief financial officer. Brett A. Dalton, who has served as executive assistant to the vice president for academic affairs and provost since 1996, will become Clemson's top financial strategist effective June 29.

This position was created through a restructuring of the university's business and fiscal affairs division in order to enhance long-term financial strategic planning, develop new resources and increase efficiency and accountability. The CFO will report directly to the president as an executive officer of the university.

Steve Copeland will continue to serve as interim chief business officer, providing leadership for ongoing budget and facilities planning and management.

In his most recent assignment, Dalton was responsible for strategic financial planning and management for the Division of Academic Affairs and provided regular counsel to the president and other senior administrators on financial matters. He worked closely with the provost in developing the university's academic plan, developed a retirement incentive plan and voluntary separation plan as a way to generate savings and protect jobs during budget cuts and co-chairs the Discovery Council, which aims to create a lean business culture in administrative operations.