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University Finance and Administration

FLT Profile: Bill Troy

Get to know University Finance and Administration’s (UFA’s) Financial Leadership Team (FLT) through our FLT Profile series. Featuring Q&As with each FLT member, the series paints a portrait of who our leaders are — outside of the office.

UFA’s FLT is comprised 12 individuals: Adam Day, J. Michael Gower, John Fahey, Jason MacDonald, David B. Moore, Nimish Patel, Ruth Philo, Stephanie K. Reed, José M. Román, Eugene Simon, William Troy, and Kim Yozgat.

This profile features Bill Troy, executive director of the Department of Risk Management and Insurance.

What was your first job?

“I had my first real job at 18-years-old, when I enlisted in the Navy. I was an aircrewman and acoustical analyst on a P-3 Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft. My job was to operate the array of subsurface detection equipment to locate and track Soviet ballistic missile submarines on their mid-Atlantic patrols. These were serious Cold War operations as, at the time, the Soviet submarine fleet represented the world's most significant nuclear weapon threat. The best part was that after a year of training, I was deployed to Naval Air Station Bermuda for three years. It was a pretty good duty and an amazing experience!”

What is your favorite aspect of your job?

“My favorite aspect of working in Risk Management is the job diversity. No two days are the same; I learn something new every day. Reacting to the wide variety of circumstances encountered in Risk Management—especially in a higher education setting—requires the constant exploration of new topics and a relentless problem-solving mindset.”

Did you have a career fork in the road?

“I have had a number of jobs in the insurance industry and have relocated several times (Boston, Philly, St. Louis, and now, South Jersey). My biggest ‘fork in the road’ occurred when I came to Rutgers University–New Brunswick. In my previous professional life, I spent 25 years with insurance carriers and brokers developing and managing offshore insurance companies. However, I was always interested in the profession of risk manager and about 10 years ago, I decided to make a change. I fell into higher education by chance, but now I can't imagine working anywhere else.”

How do you unplug?

“My passion is the study of Jujitsu. I have been training in Jujitsu for 43 years and have run a Jujitsu Club since 1994. Jujitsu training requires being completely present while on the mat. No matter what is going on in my world, it all goes completely out of my mind while I am training. Throwing people around in a safe and friendly environment is a great physical vent! My son is also an avid practitioner, which has led to a wealth of father-son time over the years.”

What is your guilty pleasure?

“I live in rural South Jersey, down the road from a family farm stand that makes fresh apple cider doughnuts. I like to go in and get them literally as they are coming out the fryer, dusted with cinnamon sugar. I eat a few with a big, cold glass of chocolate milk and generally pass out cold for a few-hour nap on the couch. That's my idea of a perfect weekend morning. My doctor may advise otherwise.”

What is your favorite book?

“Nerd alert. That would be the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I have read them all (plus The Hobbit) many times and really enjoyed the Peter Jackson movies.”