To:

Deans, Directors, and Department Heads

From:

Bronté Burleigh-Jones, Ph.D., CFO, Vice President and Treasurer

Subject:

New Staff Member Announcement: Fitzroy Smith

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the addition of Fitzroy (Fitz) Smith to our Office of Finance and Treasurer (OFT) senior leadership team as our new Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Compliance, Safety, and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). Fitz starts on Monday, February 13. 

Fitz comes to AU with an extensive background spanning more than two decades in designing and implementing risk management services and programs in both university and government settings. His expertise is in providing tactical and strategic leadership, as well as planning management processes and managing financial, regulatory, and operational risks. He also is adept at ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.  

Fitz will be responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction, and guidance for the development and implementation of organizational objectives for all functional areas and programs related to compliance and enterprise risk management.

He most recently served as Associate Vice President & Chief Risk Officer at Ohio State University where, among his responsibilities, he advised the Board of Trustees, University President, President’s Cabinet, the Risk Committee, and other stakeholders in areas related to the university’s risk environment, insurance needs, and business continuity processes. Previously, he served as AVP for Risk Management & Insurance at The George Washington University & Medical Faculty Associates as well as Director of Risk Management at the Arlington County Government.

Fitz holds a Master of Science in Risk Management & Insurance from Florida State University as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Property & Casualty Insurance from St. John’s University, College of Insurance. 

Fitz will assume the role currently held by Dan Nichols who retires on February 28. I’d like to thank Dan for his 11 years of dedicated service and extensive contributions to AU. We will celebrate him on Monday, January 30 at 3pm.

I would also like to thank our search committee and chair, Laura McAndrew as well as several campus stakeholders who were involved in the search process.

We’re excited to welcome Fitz to the OFT senior leadership team and look forward to his contributions and expertise in serving the compliance, safety, and ERM needs at AU.

Onward,
Bronté

Bronté Burleigh-Jones, Ph.D.
CFO, Vice President and Treasurer