Annually, the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) presents an award to recognize outstanding achievement in the field of business and financial management in higher education. In 2007 CSU’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer received the NACUBO Distinguished Business Officer award. The nomination was submitted on Richard’s behalf by all 23 campus business/finance vice presidents, as well as Chancellor Charles B. Reed. The award selection committee unanimously endorsed his receipt of the award.

During his tenure at CSU, West has brought about fundamentals and superior changes to the institution. Highlights of his accomplishments include successfully working with a steering committee comprised of campus presidents to establish a comprehensive framework to guide the use of technology throughout the CSU system driven by institutional principles and values. He brought about the legal consolidated accounting closing for all 23 campuses, the Office of the Chancellor and more than 80 auxiliary organizations, while applying new GAAP reporting requirements, and issuing a consolidated financial statement for the first time in the history of CSU.

Additionally, he implemented a new capital financing program that consolidated the debt of all campuses and auxiliary organizations, resulting in millions of dollars of savings in interest, fees and other financing costs. West’s leadership and guidance of the California State University Risk Management Authority resulted in minimized liability exposure for the system and reasonable rates during a period of skyrocketing insurance premiums, saving the system additional millions of dollars.

Richard P. West has served as the California State University (CSU) system’s top financial officer since 1994. He consistently demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively among 23 campuses and their executives, business officers, corporate officers, elected officials and boards. West has provided outstanding leadership that ensures a quality education for the more than 400,000 students served by the system.

West holds a BA in economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MBA in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley.