Utah Business names UVU duo 'CFO of the Year'

OREM — Utah Valley University executives Linda Makin and Val Peterson were jointly dubbed government "CFO of the Year" by Utah Business magazine.

Makin, UVU's executive director of planning and budget, and Peterson, vice president for administration and legislative affairs, were given the title due to their "skillful navigation through mandatory state budget cuts, record enrollment growth and a tumultuous economic landscape this past year, and for their work," according to the publication.

The two had to find ways to cut $11.6 million from the school's original $68.5 million tax-fund revenue.

"In the end, the leanest of the state's institutions lost a lot of positions but was able to minimize the number of 'real people' who were laid off because of the creative and proactive approach taken by our CFOs," said UVU former interim President Elizabeth Hitch.

Strategies were noted by surrounding institutions, which also had to cut budgets while taking on additional students. UVU witnessed a 12 percent increase in students, pushing enrollment to nearly 27,000 students last fall.

Both Makin and Peterson have been at UVU for the extent of their professional careers, rising through the ranks over the past 20 years.

"They have a comprehensive knowledge of state statutes and the workings of the political machinery in the state," Hitch said. "That knowledge, combined with their thorough understanding of the budget, makes them extremely valuable to the institution."