The University of Montana has hired Paul Lasiter as vice president for operations and finance after a national search. Lasiter will begin his duties in January 2019.

Paul Lasiter
Paul Lasiter
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A certified public accountant and chartered management accountant, Lasiter has significant experience in higher education financial management at Pepperdine University, where he served as vice president of finance and debt capital markets and previously as vice president and chief financial officer.

UM President Seth Bodnar expressed enthusiasm for the search committee’s selection.

“I am excited to welcome an experienced and thoughtful leader to campus,” Bodnar said. “Paul’s experience at Pepperdine, his facility in managing the financial operations of complex organizations and his commitment to higher education make him an excellent fit at UM.”

Lasiter oversaw the financial operations of Pepperdine’s five colleges and schools with nearly 8,000 full-time and part-time students. As chief financial officer, he was responsible for a $530 million operating budget for eight campuses across Southern California and in Washington, D.C., and six international campuses around the globe.

“I am honored and delighted to work alongside the students, faculty, staff and administrators at the University of Montana,” Lasiter said. “There is no better place to work or more important mission to serve than here at this very special institution. My wife, Alexis, and I are excited about our move to Missoula and becoming a part of the University of Montana family.”

Lasiter’s responsibilities at UM will include strategic financial planning and analysis of resource use and generation; oversight of institutional budgeting and planning; treasury and internal control; accounting, procurement and business services; facilities planning, construction and operations; campus safety; human resources; and auxiliary operations, including the Adams Center.

“I am impressed by Paul’s long record in building, leading and advising financial operations,” Bodnar said.

Lasiter earned a bachelor of science in accounting from Pepperdine University’s Seaver College in 1988. He also completed the Presidential and Key Executive program at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management in 2005, earning a Master of Business Administration degree. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

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