Derek Horton
Lakeland, FL 954-554-9561 hortcpa1[AT]aol.com
OBJECTIVE:
My goal is to leverage the diverse technical skills and leadership experience I have gained to lead through this global pandemic and ensure fiscal health by leveraging sustainable strategies that promote responsible growth, accountability, transparency and efficiency all with the ultimate goal of supporting organizational success, economic impact and public trust.
EDUCATION:
Masters, Education Leadership University of Central Florida
Bachelors, Business Administration Florida Atlantic University
STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF FLORIDA LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
2019 – Current Assistant Vice President, Budget Planning & Administration
My role at UCF is both operational and strategic and involves planning and administration of the university's $2 billion operating budget. I plan, develop, and implement policies and procedures that support effective stewardship of the university's financial resources. In addition to my core operating responsibilities I have had the opportunity to work on or lead several key strategic priorities that involve the following:
1) New Resource Allocation Strategy – I have served in a lead role on this project, engaging with hundreds of stakeholders to build a model that will materially change “for the good” how UCF makes resource allocation decisions into the future.
2) New Revenue/Cost Model – This project was led by me and my team in collaboration with numerous stakeholders. It has been deployed in its initial phase to support strategic decision making at the leadership level as well as units across campus.
3) New Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System – I serve in an advisory capacity on this project. This effort is moving towards final selection with an anticipated fall implementation launch.
4) New or Updated Policies and Procedures – In coordination with constituents across campus, we have done an extensive review of existing policy and procedures to determine what changes or additions were needed in response to investigative and legislative actions.
5) COVID-19 – I have been able to leverage my diverse skills and experience in assessing and responding to this global challenge. While UCF has been financially impacted, we have been able to implement creative mitigation strategies that have lesson the burden to the institution, faculty, staff and ultimately the students.
FLorida polytechnic university
2015 – 2019 Assistant Vice President & University Controller
2015 – 2019 Foundation Treasurer
During my time at Florida Poly, I was involved in many critical initiatives focused on building the infrastructure of this rapidly growing institution. With the support of leadership and a talented and hardworking team I accomplished the following:
1) Developed required business policies, procedures and assessment plans needed to achieve initial SACSCOC accreditation. This led to the achievement of a University strategic plan objective and satisfied a critical legislative mandate.
2) Played a key leadership role in the successful implementation of the University’s ERP system (WorkDay). This led to the achievement of a University strategic plan objective.
3) Led the effort to build integrations between our online giving platform, our CRM platform and our ERP system.
4) Developed and executed all phases of the transition of shared services from the University of Florida. This transition saves the University $4 million annually in shared service fees and led to the achievement of a University strategic plan objective.
5) Developed the institution’s discount modeling process and tool. This has been used to make strategic scholarship leveraging and packaging decisions as well as tracking actual results. This collaborative process engaged University advancement, admissions, financial aid and finance.
6) Improved the timeliness and accuracy of data reporting to key stakeholders including executive leadership, Board of Trustees, and the State. This included development of an executive dashboard for key performance indicators. This led to the achievement of a University strategic plan objective.
7) Created a business liaison program to assist departments in managing their operating plans. This led to significantly improved scores on annual campus wide surveys.
8) Successfully brought all human resource and payroll functions in-house. I managed the human resource department until accreditation was obtained and national search was completed to recruit a permanent Director.
Florida atlantic university
2012 – 2015 Associate Director, Administration
Managed the administrative, business, and programmatic responsibilities of the University Health Center. I also supported the housing and residential life enterprise in an advisory capacity. I had direct oversight for strategic planning and assessment, budget development, reporting and analytics, purchasing and billing, technology support, human resources, contract management, facilities management, and risk management. I was also responsible for many programmatic activities such as the campus health fair, campus immunization compliance, new student orientation and served as a preceptor for the undergraduate health administration practicum with the College of Business.
In 2014, I was appointed Interim Executive Director of the Health Center and its satellite clinics during an organizational leadership transition period. During this time, my role expanded to include oversight of clinical operations. Upon being nominated by my peers, I won an Institutional Leadership Award. During the interim appointment I assembled an executive leadership team that worked to accomplish the following:
1) Expansion of clinical research opportunities and collaboration between the health center and College of Medicine faculty.
2) Established a public private partnership to provide expanded clinical services and access for students across all campuses.
3) Re-organized the health center and established a shared service model for administrative support to the health center, wellness center, counseling center and disability resource centers.
4) Implementation of a new electronic health record and revenue cycle management systems.
5) Advocated for HIPAA compliance, which led to the creation of a presidential task force.
6) Designed a new state-of-the-art retail pharmacy
7) Assisted with the national search and successful onboarding of the new Director.
OTHER LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:
FLORIDA SCHOOLS
2007 – 2012 President
I oversaw the day-to-day operations of this family owned/run business, which managed a culinary arts school serving hundreds of students. My responsibilities spanned academic programming, student recruitment, facilities planning, compliance and safety, budget development, community relations, and human resources. I served as President from start-up until we successfully sold the school in 2012.
HUMAN SERVICES NETWORK
2006 – 2011 Deputy Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer
Managed the financial and administrative affairs of the agency including all pre and post grant award activities. The agency had a total staff and volunteer workforce of approximately 900 and received federal, state and local funding to operate community centers and other services across Broward County. My role focused on the financial sustainability of the organization by optimizing cost and services provided.
In the summer of 2007, the board of directors approved a re-organization plan that consolidated the executive leadership team. As a result, my role expanded significantly to include oversight of human resources, information technology, fund development and marketing and communications. I maintained all fiscal responsibilities. Upon being nominated by community leaders, I won the Mover & Shaker award from Business Leader Magazine. With the support of leadership and a talented and hardworking team we accomplished the following:
1) Developed and launched the organization’s first major fundraising campaign.
2) Led the charge of the Board of Directors to find and secure a new community headquarters.
3) Successfully obtained re-authorization of the organization’s primary funding source for an additional five years while also doubling the organizations grant portfolio from other sources.
4) Launched a new subsidiary to add value for existing services provided.
5) Substantially increased the volunteer workforce
WE FLORIDA FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION
2002 – 2006 Assistant Controller
In this role I had oversight for treasury activities for the credit union, which holds more that $500 million in assets. I oversaw cash management and many other asset-liability-management functions that included monitoring of Federal Reserve requirements and the loan and investment portfolios. I also participated extensively in month-end close financial statement preparation. In this role, I also developed and managed a sweep account program that reduced the Federal Reserve requirement for the institution.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & AWARDS:
Inter-Institutional Committee of Finance and Accounting (State University System Controller’s Consortium)
Executive Member
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County
Volunteer
Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County
Coach/Mentor
Free Life Chapel
Member
FAU Leadership Award
Recipient
Business Leader Magazine, Mover & Shaker Award
Recipient
REFERENCES:
(Contact information & recommendation letters will be provided at a later stage)
Joseph Trubacz, Vice President/CFO, University of Central Florida
Dr. Randy Avent, President, Florida Polytechnic University
Dr. Corey King, Vice President, Florida Atlantic University
Margaret Miller, Former Executive Director, Human Services Network (Retired)
Stephen Ferrante, Managing Partner, Group Victory, LLC
