Photo courtesy of Robert Bain Photography
Introducing Charlie Faas, SMC’s Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer
A message to the Saint Mary’s Community
Charles (Charlie) Faas, a seasoned financial executive with more than three decades of private and public sector experience covering every aspect of financial operations, has been selected to serve as SMC’s Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Charlie will begin his tenure at Saint Mary’s on February 1, 2025.
Since 2016, Charlie has served as Vice President for Administration and Finance at San Jose State University (SJSU). There, he has deftly collaborated across all divisions of one of the California State University system’s largest and oldest institutions. He provides leadership and vision to a diverse set of business and finance units throughout the institution, including direct management of business services, facilities development, university personnel, university police, auxiliary services, and other units.
As a member of the SJSU President’s cabinet and consistent with the university’s commitment to shared governance, Charlie has been a member of the Academic Senate Executive Committee, Academic Senate, and various other campus committees. He has been a key contributor in developing university policies and strategic plans.
In his role at SJSU, Charlie has been deeply involved with planning, presenting, and managing budgets across the university. Throughout the interview process, he expressed to us that clarity and understanding around the budgeting process are essential for a fiscally sound educational institution, and he recognizes that open communication is critical for the CFO role.
Charlie also offers significant experience with smaller organizations. Since 2013, he has served as Chairman of the Board for San Jose Sports Authority, a non-profit supporting the community of San Jose by enhancing the city’s economic development, visibility, and civic pride through sports. He has also served as the organization’s treasurer since 1995. Over the years, the Sports Authority has helped attract hundreds of national and international sporting events throughout the South Bay.
Previously, Charlie served as CEO of the USA Pavilion at Expo Milano, a non-profit organization selected by the State Department to ensure a strong US presence at the 2015 World’s Fair in Milan, Italy. He was also, for 10 years, executive vice president and CFO for Sharks Sports & Entertainment, the business enterprise of the National Hockey League’s San Jose franchise.
In addition, Charlie has held senior roles in financial management with numerous entities in Silicon Valley and New York, including IBM.
I am grateful for the work of our Search Committee members for their efforts on this important and successful search. Those committee members are:
- Mike Brisbin, Member, SMC Board of Trustees
- Rebecca Carranza ’26, Vice President for Finance, Associated Students
- Laura Lyndon, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
- Lauren MacDonald, Dean of the Library and Academic Resources
- Mike Matoso, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics (Search Chair)
- KC Woods, Executive Director of Financial Aid
Charlie Faas is a proven, community-facing financial leader, problem-solver, and communicator with a demonstrable ability to coordinate effectively across complex layers. Please join me in welcoming him to Saint Mary’s College!
