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Respected and Successful Florida Policymaker Will Join 抖M女仆

Jeff Atwater, with years of experience in public and private finance and has served as a member of the Governor鈥檚 cabinet, will become 抖M女仆's vice president for strategic initiatives and chief financial officer.


By joshua glanzer | 2/10/2017

BOCA RATON, Fla.聽鈥 Jeff Atwater, who brings years of experience in finance in the public and private sectors and executive leadership in Florida as a member of the Governor鈥檚 cabinet, has agreed to become 抖M女仆鈥檚 vice president for strategic initiatives and chief financial officer.

Atwater will leave his role as the state of after conclusion of the 2017 legislative session. He replaces Dorothy Russell, who retired as 抖M女仆鈥檚 CFO on Jan. 31 after a decade with the University and a 40-year career in higher education. David (Art) Kite was appointed 抖M女仆鈥檚 interim vice president for financial affairs on Feb. 1.

In his new role with 抖M女仆, Atwater will lead the University鈥檚 strategic initiatives and economic development opportunities as well as manage the budget. As a vice president, Atwater will serve on the University鈥檚 Executive Leadership Team, which reports directly to 抖M女仆 President John Kelly.

Atwater will combine his role as CFO with overall responsibility for a wide array of economic development opportunities, including identifying and establishing public-private partnerships and formulating unique initiatives that align with the University鈥檚 strategic plan.

President John Kelly said Atwater was his first choice for this expanded CFO role.

鈥淚 met Jeff soon after I became 抖M女仆 president and was immediately struck by his presence. As the CFO of the world鈥檚 16th largest economy 鈥 called the state of Florida 鈥 his experience and ability to navigate complex financial waters speaks for itself,鈥 Kelly said. 鈥淲hen I approached Jeff about joining us here, it was immediately obvious he cares passionately about 抖M女仆. There is no better person to help guide this University鈥檚 finances and corporate relationships as we continue with unbridled ambition to make 抖M女仆 America鈥檚 fastest improving university.鈥

As Florida鈥檚 CFO, Atwater led the and its 13 divisions to national recognition for the financial management of the state, financial transparency and financial literacy.

Atwater said the South Florida region has long known of his enthusiasm for 抖M女仆 and he is excited for the opportunity to further the University鈥檚 reputation.

鈥淎s a parent of 抖M女仆 graduates, I cannot think of a better place to begin the next phase of my career,鈥 Atwater said. 鈥淚 am extremely grateful to have served my state as its CFO, and I will dedicate as much energy to my new role with 抖M女仆.鈥

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