Marquette alumnus joins university from locally based Briggs & Stratton
Ian Gonzalez, CPA, CFA, has been named Marquette University’s new vice president for finance, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joel Pogodzinski announced today. Gonzalez, who most recently served as corporate controller for Wauwatosa, Wisconsin-based Briggs & Stratton Corporation, will begin in his new role on Nov. 11.
A Marquette alumnus, Gonzalez earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the College of Business Administration in 2002. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
“Ian is an experienced finance leader with a strong track record of collaborative problem-solving and leading diverse teams. His background will serve Marquette well in continuing our momentum forward,” Pogodzinski says. “He is also a passionate and engaged Marquette alumnus, who will bring a clear commitment to our Catholic, Jesuit mission and values.”
“I am honored and excited to join my alma mater during a transformational time in its history. Marquette and its mission are incredibly special to me,” Gonzalez says. “Energized by this career transition into higher education, I am eager to lead the finance team while partnering with university stakeholders to help execute Marquette’s strategic plan, Beyond Boundaries.”
Gonzalez has served in progressive financial leadership positions with Briggs & Stratton since 2010, culminating with his most recent position as corporate controller. In that role, he was a key finance partner in developing and executing the manufacturing company’s long-range strategic plan, while leading the finance functions for the company’s Corporate and Global Engine business units. Additionally, Gonzalez served for eight years as secretary of the Briggs & Stratton Pension Plan Investment Committee.
Prior to that, he served in a variety of senior audit roles with global accounting firm KPMG where he worked from 2003-10.
Gonzalez has served on the Marquette University Business Administration Alumni Association board since 2018, where he also serves as a member of the Career Awareness Committee and participates in the Mentor Program.
“I would like to thank the members of the search committee, chaired by Dr. Xavier Cole, vice president for student affairs, for their work in identifying a talented group of candidates,” Pogodzinski says.