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The Board of Trustees of Columbia Theological Seminary has appointed Robert Hay Jr. as Vice President for Business and Administration/CFO, effective January 8, 2024.
Hay will succeed J. Martin Sadler, who previously announced his retirement, effective February 29, 2024.
“As Columbia Theological Seminary continues to forge ahead with innovative and bold ventures redefining the core of theological education, Robert Hay will serve as our chief financial officer with the utmost integrity,” said Columbia President Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo Jr. “Robert’s stewardship, operational, and fiduciary experiences with non-profit organizations and the Presbyterian Foundation will serve as solid foundations to work and serve alongside the Columbia Seminary community. I look forward to serving our beloved institution with him!”
Hay has a deep background as a non-profit executive with a fundraising, development, investment, financial, and operational background. He comes to Columbia after 12 years as Senior Ministry Relations Officer with the Presbyterian Foundation of the Presbyterian Church (USA). There, he led the Foundation’s Southeast Region by helping individual Presbyterians and Presbyterian churches to reach their stewardship and investment goals. Hay also helped churches nationwide to determine their sustainability.
“Robert Hay’s long service with the Presbyterian Foundation will enrich Columbia’s mission of preparing pastoral leaders for the Church and world,” said Jane Fahey, chair of the Board of Trustees at Columbia Theological Seminary. “He brings both a deep knowledge of the PC(USA) and a deep sense of call to use his considerable business skills to enhance what we are able to do to follow the Spirit’s leading for our future. It is a joy to welcome him to this new role in ministry with us.”
Before his time at the Presbyterian Foundation, Hay served as Chief Administrative Officer for Hi-Hope Service Center in Lawrenceville, Ga., and Chief Financial/Chief Operating Officer for Care and Counseling Center of Georgia, in Decatur, Ga.
Hay has been serving as a trustee of Columbia Theological Seminary for the past year. In 2009, he was a finalist for Chief Financial Officer of the Year, which is awarded by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. He is currently a council member for the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, and an advisory council member for the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. Hay is also co-chairperson of the Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference planning team.
Hay earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Auburn University, and a Master of Public Administration degree, focusing on non-profit management, from Georgia State University.
“I believe in the mission of Columbia to educate and nurture leaders for the church,” Hay said. “Six generations of my family have attended Columbia including my father (Rev. Robert Hay), my wife (Rev. Morgan Hay), my brother (Rev. Kevin Hay), and my cousin (Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity). In 2005 while my wife was attending Columbia, it was the greater Columbia community that helped me to discern a call to use my business skills for ministry which led me to a career change. And all these years later, it seems only fitting to be coming back to Columbia to use my God-given skills to help further Columbia’s mission and ministry.”
