Duane Aho Named EVP and Chief Advancement Officer

June 10, 2009

HANCOCK, MI - Finlandia University and President Philip Johnson are pleased to welcome Duane Aho as the university's executive vice president for external relations and chief advancement officer effective June 1, 2009.

Aho brings twenty-two years of management and executive management experience to Finlandia, as well as seven years of higher education advancement experience. At Finlandia he will be responsible for all advancement activities and serve on the president's three-member Management Team. Aho will also supervise and support collegiate athletics, the Jutila Center for Global Design and Business, the Finnish American Heritage Center, and the university's Admissions Department.

"Duane's personal background, work experience, management skills, and proven leadership have prepared him well to serve in this key executive position," said President Johnson. "And above all, as an alumnus he has a deep desire to see Finlandia flourish."

Aho was born and raised in the Copper Country and has spent his professional career in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He completed an associate degree at Suomi College in 1971, and in 1974, a bachelor of science in business at Michigan Technological University. Most recently, Aho was community bank president for Citizens Bank, Hancock. He served on the Finlandia University Board of Trustees from 2007 until May 2009.

Duane Aho can be contacted at 906-487-7349 or duane.aho@finlandia.edu.