Arkansas Tech University has selected Laury Fiorello as its next vice president for administration and finance following a national search.
Fiorello will begin her new post on June 1. She will serve as the chief financial officer for Arkansas Tech with primary responsibility for all financial-related activities of the university.
As the vice president for administration and finance, her areas of oversight will include accounting, financial control, procurement, facilities management, human resources, student accounts, budget, payroll, construction, bookstore, food services and affirmative action.
She currently serves as the ATU budget and financial reporting director and chief fiscal officer for the ATU-Ozark Campus. She has been ATU-Ozark chief fiscal officer since 2016.
Prior to joining Arkansas Tech University, she worked for nearly nine years as the assistant director of finance for the City of North Richland Hills, Texas. From 1995-2007 she was the comptroller for the City of Hot Springs.
“Through the interview process, Ms. Fiorello exhibited the level of expertise and commitment needed to lead the financial operations of Arkansas Tech University,” said Dr. Robin E. Bowen, president of Arkansas Tech. “Ms. Fiorello served on the committee that worked to develop the new five-year budget model, and we will benefit from her knowledge of that model and her institutional knowledge as we implement it in the coming months.”
Fiorello holds a bachelor’s degree in business from John Brown University, and she earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Arkansas Tech University. Additionally, she holds the Certified Governmental Finance Manager credential from the Association of Government Accountants.
Fiorello will succeed Walt Branson, who served in the vice president for administration and finance position on an interim basis during the 2020-21 fiscal year.
“We are thankful for Mr. Branson’s leadership during the past year,” said Bowen. “He worked tirelessly to help us through our restructuring process that will allow ATU to focus on our mission of student access for years to come.”
