Administrative Leadership Changes Announced

Several administrative leadership changes have been announced at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in recent weeks.

Legal Affairs and Compliance

Arlene D. Staller, J.D., who was acting chief legal and compliance officer for nearly a year, was appointed June 16 to permanently lead that office.

“I have been very pleased by her work as acting chief legal and compliance officer, especially her ability to lead others,” said Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Michael D. McKinney, M.D. “I look forward to a long professional association between Arlene and the health science center.”

Staller, who earned her J.D. degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 1983, was admitted to the State Bar and began her career at the UT Health Science Center that same year. She has extensive experience with the university’s Employee Assistance Program, Equal Employment Opportunity compliance, internal disciplinary appeals, sexual harassment and other diversity issues, as well as a variety of litigation activities.

The Office of Legal Affairs and Institutional Compliance functions as the on-campus resource for legal counsel and coordinates with UT System and the Texas Attorney General’s office any legal action – either in defense of, or on behalf of – the health science center.

The office also provides oversight to the Division of Institutional Compliance and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity.

Finance

Laura Smith, associate vice president for finance, has assumed an important new role, supporting both government relations and finance, while continuing in her duties as the chief budget officer and chief financial reporting officer for the UT Health Science Center.

The approaching legislative session and the firstever, complete financial statement audit of UT System (in FY 2005) highlight the need for enhanced financial reporting and analyses. Smith will lead the health science center’s efforts on the critical, statewide formula funding committee, said Kevin Dillon, executive vice president for finance and business affairs.

“Laura will provide senior management with ongoing information regarding formula changes and analyses of financial implications of proposed changes. She will coordinate the legislative appropriations request process. In short, Laura will become the financial ‘arm’ of governmental affairs, analyzing bills and projecting their financial impact on the institution,” Dillon explained.

In addition, Dillon said, UT System has placed increased emphasis on accountability, as evidenced by the Compact process, strategic planning, the Systemwide compliance program and similar initiatives.

“Laura will integrate strategic planning into the health science center’s overall budget process,” Dillon said. “Over time, she will incorporate fiscal outcomes into the budget process, establishing objective, quantifiable measures of fiscal accountability with all budget ‘owners.’”

Accounting

Mike Tramonte, most recently controller at the UT Medical Branch at Galveston, assumed the position of assistant vice president for accounting, Aug. 1.

Tramonte’s responsibilities within the health science center’s financial group include: general accounting, cash management and investments, capital assets, payroll, payment and account facilitation, SDR (central personnel action processing), employee reimbursements, financial administrative services, and the bursar’s office.

Tramonte assumed a number of duties formerly assigned to Laura Smith, chief budget officer, who was assigned to additional duties related to the budgeting process and governmental relations.

Business Affairs

Steven K. Ball was appointed June 16 to the newly created position of assistant vice president for business affairs for the health science center after serving in an interim role for five months.

Ball, who began his career at the health science center in 2001, oversees procurement, the finance functions of facilities operations and the UT Harris County Psychiatric Center, as well as the financial aspects of risk management, compliance and contracting.

Previously, he worked for Dell Inc., Compaq Computer Corporation and Ford Motor Company in financial management, information systems, quality control and real estate development positions.