Meet…Greg Spilman

When most people consider retiring, they envision lives of leisure, taking time to play with grandkids and travel. When Greg Spilman retired from his position as director of UC’s internal audit department in December 2003, he did just that. But a few short months after basking in the Caribbean sun, Spilman decided he wanted to come back to UC for more. He returned in March 2004 as director of Internal Audit, and since May of 2005, he has acted as the business administrator of four McMicken departments.

Spilman now oversees the fiscal affairs for four departments: romance languages, German, Judaic studies, and African and African American studies. Pat Woods, assistant dean, notes, “This is a position we created because of the new financial system that became operational July 1. Greg is an excellent choice because his UC experience and knowledge prepare him to manage these fiscal operations.”

The position of business manager might sound easy for someone who has directed the entire university’s auditing department, but he admits, “I’m learning a lot. There are so many more details, so it’s a lot different and very challenging.”

Spilman’s assets are not limited to fiscal management skills. From 1990-2005, he served as a member of the communication board which helps manage the affairs of student publications. He has also been active in “representing the interests of UC and city employees” at Cinco Credit Union, where he serves on the board of directors.

A Cincinnati resident for most of his life, Spilman began his career at UC in 1984. Prior to that he worked at the state tax department, a small savings and loan, and spent three years in the Air Force. He received his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and his master’s from Xavier and is a registered CPA in Ohio. A married father of five and grandfather of four, he coached his children in athletics and has seen his twin sons play soccer as far away as the Czech Republic. Now that his children are all grown, he says he has “moved from coaching to fixing up the house” in his free time. That still leaves time for travel, which continues to be one of his favorite pastimes.

As for the future, Spilman plans on working at least five or six more years and “taking it from there.” Putting his experience at UC into perspective, he says, “A lot of people ask me about the university, and I always tell them that in the time I’ve been here, the changes have been phenomenal. The new facilities have improved the campus, and the academic changes President Zimpher has been working on are going to move this university from being good to great to outstanding. But through all of the changes, one thing has remained constant: the people here are fantastic, and I would not have come back unless this was a great place to work.”

Story by Holly Holmes, A&S Journalism Intern