April 1, 2019

Rulney Selected as Chief Financial Officer for the University of Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. — Lisa Rulney, a financial strategist with research, academic and administrative higher education experience, has been selected as the senior vice president of business affairs and chief financial officer for the University of Arizona. Rulney was selected following a national search and will assume the role immediately, having served as interim CFO since October.

"Lisa understands the ever-changing environment of higher education and the importance of providing operational transparency, informed analysis and innovative solutions that ensure a strong financial future," said UA PresidentRobert C. Robbins. "At the same time, she is deeply committed to our mission of improving lives through education, research and community engagement. Lisa's expertise offers an opportunity for the university to further that mission."

As CFO, Rulney will serve as the senior business and financial officer, providing leadership and managerial oversight to a division that includes Arizona Public Media; Arizona Student Unions; Facilities Management; Financial Services; Human Resources; Parking and Transportation Services; Planning, Design and Construction; Procurement and Contracting Services; Risk Management; UA BookStores; and the UA Police Department. She also will oversee the offices that handle internal auditing, planning and budgeting, and sustainability.

"Lisa is known for streamlining processes, improving lines of communication for efficiency and developing innovative teams," Robbins said. "She has the innate ability to eliminate waste while expanding services."

Prior to being named interim CFO, Rulney was vice president of financial services, and led the 2018 bond initiative, which resulted in a projected savings of more than $5 million and leveraged more than $123 million in bonds dedicated to academic, administrative, dining and student recreation facilities at the Honors Village, five intercollegiate athletics capital projects, and major building system replacements in the Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences building. As vice president, Rulney was responsible for accounts payable, capital finance, compliance, financial management, payroll, tax services, the bursar's office, investments, procurement and contracting, and records and archives management.

Rulney also has served as assistant dean for finance and administration for the colleges of Engineering and Education. As assistant director of finance and administration for Arizona Research Laboratories, she implemented a web-based financial reporting platform, which was implemented in units across campus.

"Leading a complex organization through innovative change without disrupting ongoing services is never easy," Rulney said. "I want to play a key role in ensuring that we meet the institutional excellence goals outlined in our strategic plan."

Rulney earned a Master of Business Administration from the UA Eller College of Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in communication science and disorders, magna cum laude, from James Madison University. Rulney serves as an Eller Executive Education board member and is an active member of the Western Association of College and University Business Officers. In 2011, Rulney was recognized by the Arizona Daily Star in its annual 40 Under 40 list.

Rulney succeeds Gregg Goldman, who left the UA after serving in the position nearly four years.