Dean and President Douglas Travis is pleased to announce the appointment of Frederick L. Clement as the new, incoming Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance at Seminary of the Southwest. Following a period of on-campus orientation beginning September 17, Clement will assume office upon the retirement of Executive Vice President John Bennet Waters in October. Waters is stepping down after 15 years of distinguished service in the post. “I could not be more pleased with this appointment. Mr. Clement’s qualifications and 25 years’ experience in business and church management are a great fit for the seminary,” says Dean Travis.
Clement is currently Administrator & COO of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin, a position he has held since 1997. In his role at Covenant, Clement recently managed a team responsible for the development of a $16 million capital campaign and 59,000 square foot campus facility addition.
Clement has worked primarily in church business management. As a generalist, key elements of his work have included development and management of fund accounting systems and processes, treasury management, finance, project management, campus information technology systems, facilities, risk management, audit and legal affairs, policy writing, human resources and employee benefit plan administration, transportation and food services, and government and community relations. Clement also serves as administrator of Covenant Presbyterian Foundation, Inc., a separately controlled endowment. He is a past president of the Dispute Resolution Center of Austin and is experienced in conflict mediation. Clement has appeared on the cover of Church Executive magazine and is a recipient of the Golden Hammer Award for excellence in church law and administration. He holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.
“My view is that administration functions optimally in a collaborative environment of transparency, accountability, mutual listening and trust in personal relationships,” says Clement. “I have committed my life’s work to serving the Church and I look forward with anticipation to helping advance Seminary of the Southwest’s mission. The opportunity to work among the seminary community’s gifted scholars, staff, students, and board members is indeed an honor.”
