The University of Utah has named longtime financial and operations higher education executive Anthony “Tony” Wagner as its new Chief Financial Officer.
Wagner, currently Clemson University’s executive vice president for Finance and Operations, will assume the CFO position on May 1.
“I’m pleased to have an experienced leader like Tony Wagner stewarding the university’s financial resources and budgeting processes,” said President Taylor Randall. “He has the expertise and knowledge to advise senior leaders and ensure institutional integrity and vitality as we enter into a time of unprecedented strategic growth and investment in our campus.”
The CFO is responsible for preserving a sound financial structure for the university, including long-range planning and investment strategies, capital financing and investments, and the policies and programs to ensure financial health. Wagner will work in partnership with Chief Operations Officer Jeff Labrum.
“I’m excited to join the University of Utah at such a dynamic time in its history,” Wagner said. “I look forward to helping the U achieve its ambitious goals for growth and innovation through responsible investment and innovative use of financial resources.”
Wagner has led Clemson’s long-range financial planning since 2019, leading strategic financial planning initiatives, creating shared services programs and building the university’s business analytics capability. Prior to Clemson, Wagner worked as Augusta University and AU Health’s chief business office and executive vice president for finance from 2013 to 2019.
Wagner earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Penn State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy from Temple University. Wagner also has worked in the government of Pennsylvania as deputy secretary of budget and deputy state treasurer. A proud veteran, he served as a deep-sea diver in the U.S. Navy for four years.
Wagner replaces longtime U CFO Cathy Anderson, who leaves the position this summer after the 2024-25 budget cycle is complete. Anderson joined the U in 2002 and served as CFO for main campus and associate vice president for budget and planning before she was named the first campus-wide CFO in 2019. Anderson will remain at the university as a special advisor to President Taylor Randall.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to Cathy Anderson for stewarding the university’s finances with care and insight,” Randall said. “Her strategic vision and deep fiduciary expertise have been instrumental in securing the university’s long-term financial stability and growth.”