Dear Campus Community,

I am excited to announce the promotion of Sarah Long to Associate Vice President for Financial Operations and University Controller.  Sarah will now lead the budget office in addition to overseeing her existing departments, which include Accounting, Accounts Payable, and Student Financial Services. 

Sarah and her team have a proven track record of enhancing financial reporting and documentation, streamlining daily operations, and driving desired results by communicating financial information competently and timely. She has been instrumental in leading and empowering team members to engage in meaningful collaborative initiatives, inspiring innovative ideas that enhance internal controls, the consumer experience, and operational efficiency. In the last few years, Sarah has been part of Cal Poly Humboldt's Financial Services department in multiple administrative roles, most recently serving as the University Controller.

 I am equally ecstatic to announce the appointment of Patrick Orona as Interim Director of Budget and Financial Planning. 

Since 2019, Patrick has served as a Budget Analyst & Reporting Specialist and most recently a Budget Manager for Cal Poly Humboldt’s Budget Office. He is a seasoned accounting, finance, and budget professional with extensive experience in strategic formulation, policy operationalization, and financial analysis. 

With a robust background in budgeting, financial reporting, and audit engagements, Patrick has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead high-impact projects and improve organizational efficiencies. His expertise in data analysis, financial trends, and performance metrics has been instrumental in aligning resources with institutional priorities and enhancing service delivery across campus communities. Within the CSU, Patrick is a leader in budgeting systems such as Questica and has been instrumental in leading our campus in budget planning and other key planning efforts. 

Last but not least, Brigid Wall remains an invaluable part of the team as Budget Manager. Her depth of knowledge and continued commitment to service is an irreplaceable resource for the campus community.   I am grateful to Amber Blakeslee, who served as the Executive Director of Budget and Financial Planning, but most importantly was a dedicated and instrumental part of the campus community who is leaving an extraordinary impact.

As we work through the transition, we will share additional information specific to the budget office and planning. We look forward to continuing to foster a positive experience with the campus community.

Sincerely,

Sherie Cornish Gordon
Vice President for Administration and Finance