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Another veteran University of Tennessee administrator, Emerson H. “Eli” Fly, has been called back to service at UT.

Dr. Joe Johnson, interim UT president, said Friday that Fly has accepted an appointment as interim executive vice president and chief financial officer. The appointment, which is effective Sept. 15, is for the period Johnson serves as interim president.

Fly, whose career at UT spanned more than 40 years and included a year as president, currently is

Emerson H. “Eli” Fly

president of the UT Foundation.

“I am indeed grateful to Eli for accepting this appointment,” Johnson said. “He brings a great deal of experience and talent to this position.

“Eli will be the number two officer of UT and will have oversight of our fiscal procedures and controls. He will work closely with the leadership of the University of Tennessee as we seek to bring stability to the university.

“The University of Tennessee will maintain a legally appropriate relationship with the foundation while Eli serves as interim vice president.”

Fly will be paid $209,000 and have a $4,000 expense account, Johnson said.

Fly, who served as interim president from June 2001 to June 2002 and later was recognized by the UT Board of Trustees as a permanent president, came to UT in 1961 as an internal auditor.

He also served as vice chancellor for business and finance at UT-Chattanooga, vice president of business and finance, and executive vice president.