Melinda West named interim assistant vice president for finance and university controller

Melinda West has been appointed interim assistant vice president for finance and university controller for the Virginia Tech Controller’s Office.

West brings more than 24 years of dedicated service, financial and accounting experience, and institutional knowledge to the position. West has served as university bursar since 2010.

In her new position, West will lead financial management and accounting operations, including accounts payable, payroll, internal accounting control, accounts receivable, financial reporting, fixed assets, and insurance programs. West replaces Ken Miller, who became vice president for finance in April. She will report directly to Miller.

“I have known and worked with Melinda a long time and have always been impressed by her commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency, customer service excellence, process improvements, and thoughtful guidance and leadership. I know she will bring that same commitment to this new role,” Miller said. “Virginia Tech is fortunate to have someone of her caliber filling this critically important role as we tackle the unique challenges of this moment and build on our Advancing Beyond Boundaries vision.” 

In her role as university bursar, West was responsible for the effective operation of billing, collections, and accounting functions for Accounts Receivable, Student Accounts, and other general receivables of the university and related revenues. Her office was also responsible for ensuring the financial integrity in the cash management of university funds and overseeing Virginia Tech’s compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, Red Flags Rule, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role in these unusual times. And I am proud to join the Controller’s Office and all of its dedicated, hardworking employees who lead by example every day,” West said.   

A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1996, West was the manager of general accounts receivable and loans/collections in the Office of the University Bursar from 1996 to 1998. She then moved to the Internal Audit and Management Services Department as a senior internal auditor before moving to the position of assistant to the vice president for finance in 2004.

West is a certified public accountant, and previously served as an auditor with the Commonwealth of Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts. West received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Radford University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Averett University.