Florida’s chief financial officer will be joining Florida Atlantic University as part of its administration — replacing the retiring Dorothy Russell.

On Friday, February 10, FAU announced  Jeff Atwater was picked for the position of vice president for strategic initiative and chief financial officer. Atwater was the first pick choice according to FAU President John Kelly.

Altwater takes over for Russell, who will retire after a decade as the current chief financial officer. Atwater will begin his job following the end of the 2017 Florida legislative session which is on May 5.

“When I approached Jeff about joining us here, it was immediately obvious he cares passionately about FAU,” Kelly said to the FAU newsdesk. “There is no better person to help guide this University’s finances and corporate relationships as we continue with unbridled ambition to make FAU America’s fastest improving university.”

As well as begin the chief financial officer, Altwater has previous experience being a representative in the state house, a senator in the state senate and vice mayor of his hometown of North Palm Beach.

David Art Kite is currently the interim vice president, a position he held since Feb. 1.   

Nate Nkumbu is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @FoureyedNate.