Hardin-Simmons University Selects Brenda Alexander as New Vice President for Finance

ABILENE, Texas, Jan. 24 -- Hardin-Simmons University issued the following news release:

Brenda Alexander is a veteran chief financial officer who has served in similar higher education leadership posts in New Mexico and Texas.

For more than two decades she has provided strong financial and administrative leadership in both private and public sector higher education institutions. Dr. Lanny Hall, HSU president, says, "She is a true higher education professional who will bring new and innovative ideas and practices to HSU. We are, indeed, fortunate to welcome a person of her caliber and experience to this significant leadership post."

Since 2001 she has served as the chief financial officer at Howard Payne University as HPU's senior vice president for finance and administration/chief financial officer. At HPU, she provided leadership and oversight of institutional budgeting, human resources, accounting, business management, student dining and catering services, facilities services, student financial aid office, spirit store and summer camps program, and employee benefit plan administration.

In addition, she is the administration's liaison to the Trustee Finance Committee. During her years at HPU she has successfully managed completion of $20+ million in construction/campus improvements.

Alexander says, "It is both an honor and a privilege to be selected for this important position with the university. As a dynamic institution of distinction, Hardin-Simmons University has an exciting future ahead and I'm thrilled to join the HSU family moving forward."

At New Mexico Junior College, where she served as vice president for finance/chief financial officer, she was responsible for the financial operations of the comprehensive community college. She planned, directed and provided leadership to the business office, central purchasing, computer services, campus dining services, self-operated bookstore, human resources office, telephone and mail services, insurance administration, and graphic arts printing center. In addition, Alexander prepared annual operating budgets and capital project funding requests to the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education for legislative consideration, represented the college at state hearings and legislative sessions, and maintained official college records for public inspection.

Prior to service in higher education administration, Alexander was a partner in the accounting firm of Baldwin, Griffin and Company, CPAs - Hobbs, New Mexico.

During her distinguished career she has spent 22 years in higher education finance and administration and an additional 10 years in public and corporate accounting and finance.

A graduate of Texas A & M University, Alexander is also a certified public accountant. She has extensive experience in higher education finance and serves as a regional peer evaluator for the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

In addition she regularly is called upon to serve on the Committee on Compliance and Reports for SACSCOC as a special financial reader. In that capacity she has reviewed the financial records of approximately 85 SACS colleges and universities (outside of Texas) and assisted the committee in determining the compliance of these institutions with the accreditation requirements. In addition, she has made public presentations on how to comply with financial accreditation standards.

She and her husband, Eddie, are active members of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, Brownwood. They have five adult children and eight grandchildren.

Alexander will begin her service with HSU on May 1, 2014, which will allow a one month transition period.

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