BISMARCK, N.D. - Mick Pytlik, current North Dakota University System ConnectND financial system director, has been named executive director of the NDUS ConnectND system. He will assume his new responsibilities May 1, 2007.

Pytlik has been a University System employee since 1988, first as an accountant and lecturer at Valley City State University in Valley City, N.D., and then in financial system positions for the NDUS.

"Mick has extensive knowledge of ConnectND and campus operations," said Dr. Joseph McCann, president of Williston State College in Williston, N.D., and chair of the search committee. "He has been ‘in the trenches' since the beginning of the ConnectND system and understands what works and what needs refinement. This background, coupled with his collaborative leadership style, makes Mick a very good fit for this position."

"Mick Pytlik will do an excellent job of leading the implementation of recommendations to stabilize and improve the ConnectND system," said Randall Thursby, NDUS CIO. "Mick is well respected within the North Dakota University System and the Higher Education User Group (HEUG) of Oracle. He currently chairs HEUG's product advisory group on finance and was elected to this position by his peers across the country."

A native of Valley City, Pytlik received a bachelor's degree in business administration in accounting from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D., in 1987 and is a certified public accountant. He will earn an annual salary of $115,000.

Pytlik will replace Bonnie Neas who has been interim executive director for ConnectND since May 2006. Neas will return to a position at North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D.