Organizational changes position finance division for enhanced services and support
Virginia Tech’s finance division plays an essential role optimizing financial resources and partnering with stakeholders to advance the university’s mission.
Spanning a wide range of operational areas, the division’s 200 employees are critical to supporting day-to-day operations, aligning resources with institutional priorities, and ensuring responsible, accountable stewardship of the university’s financial activities and assets.
"The finance division takes pride in providing outstanding support and partnership to the university,” said Simon Allen, vice president for finance and chief financial officer. “We must also continue to enhance the division’s capacity to support our customers’ needs and Virginia Tech’s strategic initiatives with agility, responsiveness, and efficiency.”
In the coming weeks, the division will make the following organizational changes:
Stacy King named interim assistant vice president and university controller
Following a national search, Stacy King, who currently serves as associate controller for accounting operations, has been appointed interim assistant vice president and university controller. King will oversee the university’s accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance, internal controls, and financial system optimization activities. Her appointment is effective on Oct. 10, and she will report directly to Allen.
"I look forward to working more closely with Stacy to ensure the Controller’s Office does not miss a beat whilst also advancing our Controller’s Office goals of excelling in customer service, fostering greater efficiencies, and being a critical partner with university stakeholders,” said Allen. “I appreciate her taking on this role and building on the progress that Melinda West has led in modernizing our financial practices and systems."
West will retire later this year after more than 29 years of Virginia Tech service.
King has nearly 30 years of progressive experience in higher education accounting, financial reporting, and operational management. She holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Radford University and is a licensed certified public accountant in Virginia.
“I’m truly honored to step into this new role and continue contributing to a community that means so much to me. Virginia Tech has been an important part of my professional journey, and I’m excited to work alongside such a dedicated team as we build on the strong foundation already in place,” said King. “I’m committed to maintaining transparency, strengthening our financial practices, and building collaborative relationships with colleagues across campus to help move the university forward.”
Treasury team expands
The division will merge the existing treasury management and bursar organizations into an expanded Treasury Services department. Streamlining these functions will bolster the division’s capacity around banking, working capital management, and investment management activities.
As part of this transition, Lauren Lawson has been named assistant vice president for treasury operations and university bursar and will report directly to Allen, effective Oct. 10.
“Lauren has provided excellent leadership to our Bursar’s Office, and this expanded role will allow for greater synchronization of key financial activities,” said Allen. “We will be able to implement a comprehensive strategy to optimize our working capital and investment activities, allowing the existing treasury team to focus more closely on managing the debt portfolio, debt issuance, and the university’s excellent credit rating.”
At this time, there are no changes to the Bursar’s Office’s existing operations, procedures, or systems. Finance employees and the university community should continue to engage the team through regular processes and methods.
The bursar team will remain in its current location in the Student Services Building and online at bursar.vt.edu. All web resources will remain on the website. The Treasury Services team will remain in its current location at Gilbert Place.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our university community in this expanded role,” said Lawson, who has served as university bursar since 2020. “By uniting bursar and treasury operations, we can continue to improve the student experience while supporting strong financial stewardship that advances the university’s mission.”
Nancy Meacham to retire; chief of staff search underway
Earlier this year, the division created a chief of staff role to provide strategic, collaborative leadership and advance the division’s operational effectiveness. Nancy Meacham has been serving in the role on an interim basis ahead of her planned retirement this November.
“Nancy has provided invaluable support to me and the division at an incredibly busy time for the university,” said Allen. “Though she leaves big shoes to fill, her leadership has well positioned our team for sustained success in the future. We wish her all the best in her next chapters.”
A search is now underway to permanently fill the role.
“It has truly been an honor to serve alongside so many talented colleagues in the finance division, all dedicated to supporting Virginia Tech,” said Meacham. “As a two-time Hokie, I am deeply proud to have given back to the university that has meant so much to me and my family.”
