What does your role at APU entail?
I see my role as helping to strengthen and manage the business side of the organization in support of APU’s mission.
What did you do prior to APU?
For the past three years, I was the Chief Financial Officer for a significant social services organization here in Anchorage. Before that, I held executive financial positions in Western New York in the printing and food industries.
What are your goals for this school year?
My short-term goal is to wrap my head around the organizational process here at APU. Every entity has a heartbeat and a complex network of related activities; I have often referred to it as the “puzzle of business.” Understanding how those pieces all work together allows each of us to focus on doing our best and adding some level of value with each of the decisions we make or projects we participate in.
Where did you go to school? What did you study?
My schooling was all in the Buffalo NY area. My Bachelor’s in Accounting is from SUNY Fredonia, and after a few years in the working world, I decided to pursue my MBA (Finance) at night from Canisius College.
What is your fondest memory from when you were in school?
It came early. In 7th grade, I took a general business course that provided us with the opportunity to participate in a business simulation… and I was hooked!
When you were a college student, who was the most influential person in your life?
One of the owners from my first job became a business mentor and a close personal friend. He was instrumental in my going back to school, and I worked with him twice, for a total of nearly 20 years. He did everything with a great deal of energy and was hard-working, organized, dedicated, and generous.
What do you do in your free time?
I have always led an active lifestyle with the outdoors as my playground. It is a big part of what brought my family and me to Alaska.
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie – motorcycles, zip lining, flying small airplanes and jumping out of them, a couple of Tough Mudders back in NY – maybe not what some people think of when they hear that I work in accounting/finance.
What are you most excited about for this job?
I am excited to dive into a new industry and an organization with such a strong history here in Alaska. I’ll look forward to all of you sharing stories that help me better understand the whole picture.
