In 1977, Robert C. Bowie was selected to fill the newly created office of the Vice President for Finance and Management Systems. The purpose of this office was to coordinate non-academic services at Johns Hopkins University's Homewood Campus and as manage the campus's financial concerns. Robert C. Bowie served as Vice President for Finance and Management Systems from 1977 until 1980 when the position was renamed Vice President for Finance and Treasurer. Both offices had the same primary functions - overseeing and coordinating financial and administrative systems. In addition, personnel issues, budget concerns, real estate and endowments and gifts to the University were included in the responsibilities of these offices.

On July 1, 1979, Robert Bowie re-organized his office, developing a structure which coordinated the University's financial and administrative offices and allowed him to oversee their operations. Bowie appointed Donald G. Bickert his Executive Assistant and promoted C. Norman Krueger to the newly created position of Executive Director for Business Management. R. Riggs Griffin was appointed Associate Treasurer and Director of Investments. Robert J. Schuerholz was named Executive Director of Administrative Services. In his new role, C. Norman Krueger was placed in control of Business Policy, Management Information Systems and the Controller. As Director of Administrative Services, Robert Schuerholz oversaw the offices of Accounting Services, Administrative Computing, Development Information Services, Personnel, Purchasing and Sponsored Projects. Other offices which fell under Bowie's supervision were Associate Treasurer and Director of Investments, Internal Audits and Plant Operations. The organizational structure of the office remained essentially the same, with occasional changes in personnel.

In 1986, Bowie was appointed Senior Vice President for Administration. Again, the function of his office remained basically the same and he continued to work closely with Administrative Services, Business Management, Plant Operations, Treasurer, Controller and other non-academic offices. Robert Bowie held this office for one year. After his resignation, the position was vacant until 1988 when former University Treasurer, Eugene S. Sunshine, was appointed Senior Vice President for Administration. Sunshine remained in office until 1998 when he was succeeded by James T. McGill. John J. Lordan was appointed to the new position of Vice President of Business Affairs in 1988 and Donald Bickert went on to serve as Lordan's Executive Assistant.