State Board of Agriculture Names Chief Financial Officer

The State Board of Agriculture named as its chief financial officer a former top legislative analyst and deputy director of the governor’s planning and budgeting office.

The appointment of Edward Bowditch was announced at today’s meeting of the board in Pueblo.

Bowditch will oversee budgetary matters for the Colorado State University System. Governed by the SBA, the system consists of Colorado State University, the University of Southern Colorado and Fort Lewis College.

"We are delighted that a man of Edward Bowditch’s analytical, financial and governmental skills will bring his knowledge to the service of higher education," said Albert Yates, president of Colorado State University and chancellor of the system. "His background and talents will help us make optimal use of available funds to continue to provide the best education, research and service to the people of this state. The board and I look forward to working with him."

A lifelong public-sector employee, Bowditch said he enjoys helping find ways to put public resources to the best possible use.

"I’ve always been involved in public sector issues and feel like there’s never a dull moment," he said. "Higher education is vital to the health of our economy and to building the future generation of leaders. I’m excited about joining this very worthwhile endeavor."

As deputy director of the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, Bowditch was responsible for analyzing budgets, hiring and training analysts and coordinating the statewide zero-based budget process for the Office of the Governor. His duties included briefing the governor on statewide budget matters, presenting departmental requests to the Joint Budget Committee and explaining budget issues to executive-branch personnel.

Bowditch, who served in the governor’s office since February of this year, was principal legislative analyst for the Joint Budget Committee of the Colorado State Legislature from 1992-1999. He analyzed and recommended budgets, including those for higher education as well as capital construction and various departments. From 1987-1990 he served as a research associate on the Legislative Council Staff of the state legislature.

While studying for a graduate degree, Bowditch received a Ford Foundation grant to analyze and evaluate a rural economic development organization in Minnesota.

Bowditch earned a bachelor of arts degree with distinction in history and political science from Colorado College in 1986 and was named to the Blue Key National Honor Society. He earned a master’s in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, in 1992, focusing on government and business.

Bowditch will assume his new duties Oct. 4.