Shirley
Lake-King has been selected as the vice president for
Administration and Finance at the University of the Virgin Islands.
Lake-King, who most recently served as UVI's associate vice
president for Budget and Financial Reporting Analysis, has more
than 25 years of experience in government financial
management.As vice president, Lake-King is responsible for the overall budgeting process of the University, serving as the institution's chief financial officer by providing fiscal and administrative leadership to a team of directors and managers. Her duties also include developing, implementing and overseeing all fiscal planning, policies, practices and regulations; facilitating and supporting the strategic plan and sustainable budget; fiscal administration of all institutional funds; and the cost-effective planning and operation of the University's major administrative functions. In addition, she will provide leadership in the area of finance including investments, management of budget development, executing processes and fiscal controls. She will also serve as the administration's liaison to the Board of Trustees' Finance Committee and the Building and Grounds Committee, to external financial institutions and to government and business organizations.
Lake-King has oversight of UVI's departments of Accounting, Budget and Financial Reporting Analysis, Purchasing, Human Resources and Capital Projects. A temporary restructuring of UVI's St. Thomas campus has also added the departments of Security, Campus Operations and Physical Plant to Lake-King's responsibilities.
"Mrs. Lake-King is the consummate professional who has always impressed me with her financial knowledge, professionalism and dedication," said UVI President Dr. David Hall. "UVI is extremely fortunate to have someone of her experience and wisdom in our midst. I have always enjoyed working with Mrs. Lake-King, and in these challenging financial times I am glad to have her as our CFO," he said.
"It's a refreshing feeling," Lake-King said of being selected to her new position. "Having worked with all units across the University has helped me to create relationships I'm now able to capitalize on," she said. "I'm poised to help the University and President Hall take us along the pathways to greatness."
Lake-King is a Certified Government Financial Manager and she holds a certificate from Harvard University's Management Development Program. Lake-King also has master's degrees in Public Policy and Business Administration, and a bachelor's degree in Operations Management.
"As CFO, one of my main goals is to help UVI maintain a viable financial structure," Lake-King said. She also hopes to create a positive work environment by providing the resources necessary for employees to perform optimally, she said. Student success is also one of her main priorities. "We need to make sure we have the adequate structures so that our students can have the best experiences," Lake-King said.
"As an alumna of the University, I'm vested in us remaining viable for future generations. The University is very critical to helping the territory transform," she said. UVI plays a great role in creating a viable workforce and being a resource in the territory, according to Lake-King. "We are pivotal to the territory moving forward."
Prior to joining UVI, Lake-King served as the Virgin Islands Housing Authority's comptroller/CFO for nine years. There she directed the financial and administrative affairs of the Authority in compliance with HUD's regulations and guidelines and directed the preparation of the Authority's budgets and financial reports to meet federal and local government requirements.
Lake-King succeeds Vincent J. Samuel, who served as vice president for Administration and Finance for the past eight years. Her appointment began on Oct. 1.