A Message from Jim Fortner |
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| Dear Colleagues,
It was recently announced that I will soon be transitioning to the role of vice president and deputy chief business officer to support the growing operational needs across the entire Administration and Finance (A&F) division. For Finance and Planning (F&P), this means that I’ll be stepping into a role to further support and assist F&P from an operational perspective, including elevating our successes and linking them to complimentary work being performed in other parts of A&F to advance Georgia Tech’s instructional, research, and service mission.
The new role also means that I will be working alongside the next vice president for F&P to ensure that new leadership has a full understanding and appreciation for the work we are performing and is able to quickly get up to speed on providing support and advocacy. I will continue to serve in my current F&P capacity throughout the transition period to ensure that nothing is lost in translation and to help ensure business continuity.
This next year will be an exciting time in F&P! I am thrilled to be able to celebrate and advance the work our team has been doing. I thank you for your contributions to F&P and the success of Georgia Tech – it is both encouraging and impressive! In my humble opinion, you have set the standard for what we want to do across A&F in support of the growing Georgia Tech enterprise.
All the best,
Jim
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Barkley Howard and Parker Freeman |
F&P is responding to the ever-present need for skilled financial administrative professionals by piloting a comprehensive internship program designed to equip individuals, irrespective of their academic background or prior Georgia Tech experience, with the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake financial administrative work within the Georgia Tech community.
In 2023, Barkley Howard and Parker Freeman joined as the inaugural interns and have supported the Institute Finance Support team by working with the Office of the Controller, Office of the Bursar, and Institute Budget Planning and Administration.
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Before joining Georgia Tech in this internship role, Barkley served as a federal contractor for seven years with the US Department of State and an additional nine years with the Department of Defense. The transition to Georgia Tech was fueled by an attraction to the internship program, offering exposure to various units within F&P and providing a comprehensive introduction to higher education and Georgia Tech’s financial systems. Throughout this internship journey, Barkley has discovered a particular interest in research administration, delving into systems supporting $1.45 billion in research and sponsored awards for the fiscal year 2023. Beyond Georgia Tech’s financial landscape, Barkley enjoys travel, reading, watching football, and assisting others manage their finances.
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Parker Freeman held a role in accounts payable at a construction company during a transitional period from the University of Alabama before joining Georgia Tech. He was drawn to this internship program by the opportunity to learn from and contribute to each department within F&P. Throughout the program, Parker has enjoyed the cross-training opportunities in F&P and learning about Georgia Tech’s diverse financial systems, including their functionalities and interactions. Outside his role at Georgia Tech, Parker enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter and traveling to experience new things with his family.
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Photo above from the Lunches with F&P Leaders on Jan. 29
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The next Lunches with F&P Leaders will be held on
Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jim Pierce, executive director for Bursar and Treasury Services, and Jamie Fernandes, executive director for Institute Budget Planning and Administration, will host this event alongside A&F Staff Culture Advisory Council representative Daniel Nester, senior assistant to the vice president for Infrastructure and Sustainability.
F&P staff members will enjoy lunch, conversation, and updates related to F&P.
If you are interested in attending the Lunches with F&P Leaders event, RSVP to Sonya Womack at sonya.womack@business.gatech.edu.
Next Lunch:
- Robert Foy and Amy Herron – March 27
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From the A&F Staff Culture Advisory Council |
Welcome New Council Members |
The A&F Staff Culture Advisory Council serves as an advisory committee to leadership to create a collaborative environment, build workplace relationships, foster well-being and promote equity and inclusion. Recently, the council initiated the nomination process for new representation and is delighted to introduce the new council members including F&P's very own Valerie Roberts. Thank you Valerie for joining this very important initiative!
Valerie Roberts, Business Analyst, Finance and Planning
Melanie Paulina, Administration Operations Coordinator, Office of Information Technology
Bryan Harber, Training Generalist, Georgia Tech Human Resources
Elizabeth Henry, Lab and Chemical Safety Specialist, Infrastructure and Sustainability
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Wellness in the Workplace |
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| February is Sleep Awareness Month |
Sleep Awareness Month is a reminder of the crucial role sleep plays in how we feel and perform daily. To prioritize our health and optimal well-being, one of the initial areas to concentrate on is our sleep. Integrate intelligent and healthy practices into your daily life to establish a more effective sleep routine. This tip sheet is designed to highlight the importance of quality sleep and its profound impact on overall health and well-being. Utilize the tools
and suggestions provided to ensure that your sleep choices actively support wellness throughout the entire year.
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| February is Also Heart Health Month |
Taking care of your heart at any age is important to help prevent heart disease and lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke. To celebrate, we are encouraging everyone to walk Georgia Tech’s campus. A simple way to support one's heart health is by being active for at least 30 minutes.
Our staff and campus partners will be at a different location around campus each day Feb. 5-9 from 12-2 p.m. to talk about heart health and encourage physical activity. Use the walking route for the day to receive a shirt. Follow us @CRCatGeorgiaTech for more information.
The first 100 to visit us each day will get a T-shirt, and each day you participate, you will be entered into a drawing for prizes from Campus Rec and our campus partners. Special thanks to our fellow Student Engagement and Well-Being departments for their support: the Women’s Resource Center, the Wellness Empowerment Center, the Center for Mental Health Care and Resources, Stamps Health Services, and Auxiliary Services.
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Wellness Programs from the University System of Georgia |
Earn rewards for healthy activities. For active employees enrolled in a USG healthcare plan, you and your covered spouse can each earn a well-being credit of up to $100 in gift cards for completing well-being activities through Anthem and Kaiser. The earnings period started on January 1 and goes through December 31, 2024. Visit edu/well-being to learn more.
New in 2024: All employees enrolled in a USG healthcare plan have access to weight loss support through WeightWatchers.® Visit edu/well-being to learn more.
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Starting with this issue, we will begin to post open positions if hiring managers choose to include them (it will not include all openings). Please share with your Georgia Tech colleagues and professional contacts outside of Georgia Tech if you think they would be interested and a good fit for our amazing F&P organization!
This month, we are highlighting a position in the Office of the Controller – Accounting Manager II.
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February Work Anniversaries |
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- Jennifer Jacobs, Accounts Payable. Joined F&P on Feb. 20, 2023.
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| | Workday Wednesday
Noon – 1 p.m.
The Workday Financials User Group provides communication and collaboration with users and administrators of Georgia Tech’s financial system. This is a private Teams channel and access will need to be granted. Use code 8kitf6h.
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| Year End Town Hall
9 a.m. – Noon
Annual meeting to discuss processes, procedures, and deadlines for a successful year-end close.
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