FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The College of Engineering has selected Larry Esch to serve as assistant dean for finance. Esch began Aug. 1. In this role, he reports to the dean of engineering. He will manage the college's financial affairs, which includes maintaining a comprehensive budgeting system, managing financial records and data analytics and overseeing departmental fiscal and business operations. He will also serve as a liaison to the university, foundation, state and federal organizations.

"The college is happy to welcome Larry to our team. The assistant dean of finance is an invaluable member of the dean's staff, and I'm very pleased that Larry will be stepping into that role," said John English, dean of engineering and holder of the Irma F. and Raymond F. Giffels Endowed Chair in Engineering.

Esch earned bachelor's degrees in accounting and marketing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Master of Accountancy degree, also from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Esch has worked at the U of A since 2013, as the finance officer for the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, where he handled all aspects of the financial management for the college. Before that, Esch was the financial manager for nutrition services at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He has been employed in the University of Arkansas System for over 14 years. He has also worked as an accountant in the transportation and retail industries.

Esch is originally from North Little Rock. He and his wife Barbara relocated to Fayetteville from Maumelle in 2013.