BOULDER - The University of Colorado Foundation has hired Dennis C. Piper as vice president and chief financial officer after a national search.

Piper takes on responsibilities previously overseen by Richard W. Lawrence, who is now the foundation's president and chief executive. Piper has more than 30 years of financial experience, most recently as senior vice president at Northern Trust in Chicago.

"(Piper's) extensive leadership and investment experience will help us maximize our ability to efficiently support the outstanding people, places and programs throughout CU's four campuses," Lawrence said in a press announcement.

Donors contributed more than $110 million to CU through the foundation in the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The foundation has about 200 staff members and annual budget of about $23 million. It manages more than $900 million in assets - primarily endowments managed on behalf of CU.

The foundation has raised $1.2 billion toward the $1.5 billion goal for Creating Futures, a fundraising campaign to increase excellence at CU's four campuses. The foundation maintains primary offices in Boulder and in Denver. Piper will be based in Boulder; Lawrence is based primarily at the Denver office, but also has a Boulder office, according to a press spokesman.