Sonoma State University

SFBRN Transition Toward a Full-Time Network Chief Executive Officer

Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 10:53am

TO: All Employees
FR: Cathy Sandeen, President, Cal State East Bay; Lynn Mahoney, President, San Francisco State University; Michael E. Spagna, President, Sonoma State University

Dear Colleagues,

Following the January 2026 launch of the San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN or Network) and the upcoming July 2026 expansion to include Human Resources and Accounting and Financial Reporting, we are pleased to share the next step in the Network’s evolution with the creation of a full-time Network Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role. This role will focus on strengthening cross-campus partnership, advancing operational excellence, and ensuring financial stewardship and accountability as the Network continues to mature.

Since May 2025, Jeff Wilson has been serving as the Network leader while continuing in his roles as Vice President of Administration and Finance at San Francisco State University and Interim Vice President of Administration and Finance at Sonoma State University, addressing complex operational challenges to establish the innovative Network model that serves our three universities. Jeff’s focus on enabling collaboration across the three campuses and his commitment to service excellence have made the SFBRN a model for shared services across the CSU and across the nation.

With the Network now established and operational, Jeff plans to transition to his primary responsibilities as Vice President and CFO at San Francisco State University. In building the Network, Jeff has fostered the SFBRN vision for efficient service and integration in support of our academic missions, and he will continue fulfilling his Network duties until a full-time Network CEO is identified with a proper transition period. President Spagna will also work to ensure continuity of leadership for CFO functions at Sonoma State University, with additional details to be shared as plans are finalized. We are deeply appreciative of Jeff’s leadership in building a strong foundation for this work.

A national search for the full-time Network CEO will be launched, with completion expected later this calendar year. The Network CEO role will:

  • Be accountable for delivering on the shared SFBRN vision to enhance efficiency, reduce duplication, and optimize resource allocation, while maintaining each university’s unique identity, accreditation, and academic mission
  • Provide executive oversight of SFBRN service stabilization and continuous improvement, while mentoring and supporting teams to build an enduring culture of service and collaboration
  • Report to the CSUEB, SFSU, and SSU presidents and serve as a strategic partner to each university’s leadership, collaborating on coordinated service delivery

SFBRN service to each of our three university communities will continue uninterrupted. We thank you for your continued feedback and partnership as we advance this work.