Meet the Man Who Oversees $350 Million
Mark Ridenour helps reconcile 22 general ledger accounts for Duke
Name: Mark RidenourPosition: Financial management analyst, Bursar's OfficeYears at Duke: 5
What I do at Duke: Majority of what I work with revolves around student accounts. I'm responsible for reconciliation of 22 general ledger accounts. The largest of those is student account receivables, which peak out twice a year at about $350 million. Then there's tuition grants, computer sales, direct deposits and miscellaneous other duties.
If I had $5 million, I would: Buy or build the greenest, most energy-efficient and modest house I could on enough land that my dogs could run free and I could garden enough to produce most of my own fruit and vegetables. I really like the concept of buying local and supporting local farmers, but if I can grow it myself, I'd do it. I have the ultimate respect for the environment and really like the concept of using natural resources, reducing my carbon footprint and saving money. I'd also give a chunk of money to family, friends and charities like ASPCA and Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
My first ever job: I was a paperboy in a small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Apollo. I still remember being bitten by a black lab and four German Shepherds bounding across a yard at me. They were friendly, but I was 12 years old. I started the route covering for a friend of mine and it became a daily thing. I delivered the Valley Daily News. Ironically, I still love dogs!
My dream job: Singing and voice over artist. I studied singing in Pittsburgh for about 10 years and I'm active with local theater. I love being in a recording studio. Getting creative juices flowing and using my voice is what makes me tick.
If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: My dogs, being vegetarian, gardening or local theater. If they feel philosophical, they could engage me in discussions about path in life, like what leads us to where we are.
The best advice I ever received: When my father was teaching me to drive, I will never forget him saying, 'son, 90 percent of driving is defensive.' To this day, I live that. I can still hear him saying it.
What I love about Duke: This I the fourth college or university I've worked for, but it's the first one to have such national and international recognition. It's impressive to work for an organization that people recognize it and respect. It's hard not to feel a little proud when Duke is associated with Olympians, NCAA Champions and Nobel Prize winners!
Something most people don’t know about me: Before I moved to North Carolina I lived in Maine. The first college I worked for was College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor. I was working in the business office when researchers came back with a dead whale they had found at sea and they asked for volunteers to help deblubber and dissect the whale. Even though I'm a vegetarian, I thought how could I pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? It was 50 to 60 feet long.