About Us

The Office of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer has management oversight and responsibility for all financial functions and oversees all revenues, costs, capital expenditures, investments and debt. The Vice President/CFO also serves as comptroller of the university system.

Paul Ellinger

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Comptroller of the University of Illinois System
cfo-CFO@mx.uillinois.edu

Dr. Paul Ellinger was appointed Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Comptroller of the University of Illinois System beginning September 2022, after filling the role in an interim capacity since July 2021.

Prior to Paul’s appointment he served as the Associate Chancellor and Vice Provost for Budget and Resource Planning for the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. In this role he provided strategic budget planning and allocation advice to the Chancellor and the Provost, and served as campus chief financial officer.

Paul holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agricultural Mechanization and Agricultural Economics, and a Ph.D. in Finance, all earned at the University of Illinois. His widely published research has concentrated on financial modeling, credit risk, performance, merger activity, and financial management of institutions. He has been invited to speak on economic and financial risk management issues before government agencies, academic conferences, various industry groups, and numerous consumer stakeholder groups. He has also been an invited participant in lender, banker, executive development, and director workshops across the United States as well as Canada, China, and Europe.

Dr. Ellinger has been on the University of Illinois faculty since 1995, specializing in finance and accountancy in the College of ACES. Prior to joining the Office of the Provost, he was Head of the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics.

Kelly Block

Senior Associate Vice President for Administrative IT Services
kjb@uillinois.edu

Administrative Information Technology Services delivers enterprise-wide IT solutions and services in support of the mission critical functions of the University of Illinois. We support student services and financial aid, human resources and payroll, facilities, advancement, research administration, and finance for over 100,000 students, staff and faculty.

Aaron Carter

Assistant Vice President, Procurement Services
aacarter@uillinois.edu

The Office of the Assistant Vice President, Procurement Services encompasses system payables-P-Card-travel services, procurement diversity, Source-to-pay (S2P) Project oversight, and system procurement functions, as well as system advocacy at the state level. Working under the direction of the Vice President, CFO, establishing and fostering partnerships with university units and state and local leaders, the office focuses on the issues that affect the University of Illinois System’s ability to run more efficiently and effectively by developing, collaborating, and coordinating policies and procedures that have a direct effect on the needs of the system and its universities.

Sarah Crane

Senior Director Capital Finance, Treasury Operations
smcrane@uillinois.edu

The Office of Capital Financing manages the University System’s outstanding debt portfolio and long-term debt obligations, as well as the University System’s internal loan program. It leads financial planning and execution of external financings, including those for System bonds and public private partnerships, and services those obligations through maturity. This office serves its University clients by collaborating with other system offices and providing tools, ideas, data and support to strategically plan and execute the best financial options for their capital needs. The Office of Cash Management manages all of the banking services, as well as daily cash flow and settlements for the University System every day the banks are open. Together, these offices are responsible for the System’s banking relationships.

Karen Greenwalt

Assistant Vice President for Budget and Business Operations
greenwlt@uillinois.edu
Office: (217) 265-6375

The Assistant Vice President for Budget and Business Operations collaborates closely with the Vice President to execute long-term objectives encompassing analytical, strategic, and operational aspects. This role oversees the administration of the annual budget process, strategic financial planning, and managing financial resources within the system office, serving as the primary budget liaison for system office units, and collaborates with the three universities on budget-related matters. The Assistant Vice President for Budget and Business Operations leads the Business and Finance Policy Office, Illinois Public Higher Education Cooperative, Procurement Analytics, System Office Shared Services, University Contracts Records Office, and the Office of University Outreach, supporting the University of Illinois System and state university procurement.

Geri Melchiorre

Senior Director of Investments, Treasury Operations
melchi84@uillinois.edu

The Office of Investments oversees the investment of the University System’s Operating and Endowment assets, including farmland donated to the University. The Office of Risk Management advises System leadership in determining whether to accept, transfer, or self-insure potential liabilities from risks such as bodily injury, property damage, employment practices, and adverse medical outcomes. As such, Risk Management administers the self-insurance plan and coordinates the purchase of commercial insurance policies. The Office of Claims Management and Workers’ Compensation administers the workers’ compensation self-insurance program, coordinating and controlling claim activities, and negotiating and settling claims.

Jill Odom

Administrative Assistant
jillodom@uillinois.edu
Office: (217)333-8065

Primary administrative contact and responsible for managing the business operations for the Office of the CFO. Assist with directing and overseeing daily operations including office support, financial, and operational functions.

James Parker

Senior Director, Office of Medicaid Innovation
jpark406@uillinois.edu

The Office of Medicaid Innovation (OMI) provides administrative, clinical, and operational services to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to support the administration of Illinois’ Medicaid Program.

Brent Rasmus

Associate Vice President, Controller, and Deputy Comptroller
brasmus@uillinois.edu

The Controller’s office is comprised of University Accounting & Financial Reporting, System Government Costing, University Bursar, and University Payroll & Benefits, which serve the University of Illinois System and its universities. We support general ledger, property accounting, and financial reporting needs, calculate and negotiate rates applicable to sponsored projects, manage student and general accounts receivable, and provide timely benefit enrollment and payroll disbursements for system employees.

Terry Thompson

Senior Director, Treasury Operations
terryt@uillinois.edu

The Tax Compliance and Analysis Office manages, provides consultation, and advises senior leadership on tax and other business-related issues, protects the University of Illinois systems’ exemptions, and ensures compliance with relevant laws and regulations. The i-card Programs Office manages the Urbana-Champaign and Springfield ID Centers, provides products and services centered on electronic and physical identification and devices, issues all University Identification Numbers and ID cards, provides card data and applications, and oversees the “one card” program for the entire University of Illinois system, including UI Health. The Merchant Card Services Office facilitates electronic payment processing for the units that accept credit and debit cards and assists with administering the online system for issuing Amazon eGift cards.

Mike Wilson

Assistant Vice President, Capital Programs and Utility Services
mwils3@uillinois.edu

The Office of the Assistant Vice President of Capital Programs and Utility Services includes the University Office of Capital Programs (UOCP) and the University Office of Utility Services. UOCP oversees the delivery of major capital construction projects at the University of Illinois System’s three universities. UOCP serves as a conduit between university- operated capital construction units and the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Capital Development Board. UOCP was created to help craft policy, advise on regulatory matters, and coordinate system-wide capital planning initiatives. Utility Services supports the operations of Prairieland Energy, a URO that procures natural gas, electricity, and renewable energy for the University of Illinois System. Utility Services manages and strategically executes purchases and collaborates with the universities and energy providers to reduce costs and minimize risk.

System Offices and Services

The U of I System Offices provide vital services and support to the universities and their students, faculty, and staff. To find individuals by name or see departments A-Z, please see the Directory page.