Washington State University Executive and Leadership Team

Kathryn Dahmen, the Chief Financial Officer at Washington State University, manages the fiscal health and budgetary allocations for the institution. Overseeing complex financial reporting, the Chief Financial Officer ensures compliance with state regulations while optimizing resource distribution across various academic departments. This leadership role involves long-term capital planning to support the research mission of the university. By implementing rigorous auditing standards, Dahmen maintains transparency in all monetary transactions. The Chief Financial Officer coordinates with the Board of Regents to align fiscal strategies with institutional growth objectives. Through careful analysis of revenue streams and expenditure patterns, Dahmen secures the financial stability necessary for academic expansion. This oversight extends to managing endowment funds and grant accounting, ensuring that every dollar contributes to the broader educational goals of the university. Ultimately, Dahmen provides the economic foundation required for sustained excellence in higher education.

Rita Whitcomb, the Director, Administrative Services & Chief Financial Officer at Washington State University, manages the administrative and financial operations for specific university units. Overseeing budget preparation and personnel management, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that resources are utilized effectively to meet departmental goals. This leadership role involves streamlining administrative processes to reduce bureaucratic overhead. By providing accurate financial forecasting, Whitcomb assists unit leaders in making informed strategic decisions. The Director, Administrative Services & Chief Financial Officer coordinates with central finance to ensure adherence to university-wide fiscal policies. Through the implementation of efficient administrative workflows, Whitcomb improves the productivity of the staff. This focus on operational and financial discipline supports the overall mission of the university. Ultimately, Whitcomb provides the necessary oversight to ensure that individual units operate within their budgets while maintaining high standards of service and academic support.

Donald Shearer, the SAVP and Chief Operating Officer at Washington State University, directs the operational efficiency of the university's physical and administrative infrastructure. Overseeing facilities management and campus services, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the environment supports the research and educational activities of the institution. This leadership role involves implementing sustainable practices to reduce the carbon footprint of the campus. By optimizing supply chain logistics, Shearer lowers operational costs across multiple departments. The Chief Operating Officer collaborates with the finance team to prioritize capital investments in infrastructure. Through the management of large-scale projects, Shearer improves the quality of campus life for students and staff. This focus on operational excellence allows the university to allocate more resources toward academic programs. Ultimately, Shearer maintains the physical and administrative systems that enable the university to function as a premier public research institution.

Gregory Pearce, the President at Washington State University, provides the overarching strategic vision for the entire public research institution. Overseeing the executive leadership team, the President ensures that all departments align with the core mission of academic excellence and public service. This leadership role involves representing the university to state legislators and national stakeholders to secure funding and support. By fostering a culture of innovation, Pearce encourages faculty and students to pursue groundbreaking research. The President collaborates with the Board of Regents to set long-term goals for institutional growth and development. Through the promotion of diversity and inclusion, Pearce strengthens the university community. This role requires balancing the diverse needs of students, faculty, and alumni. Ultimately, Pearce drives the strategic initiatives that maintain the reputation of the university as a leader in higher education and research across the nation.

Saleh Elgiadi, the Chief Information Officer at Washington State University, directs the digital infrastructure and technological strategy for the entire campus network. Overseeing cybersecurity protocols and data management systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures that students and faculty possess reliable access to essential research tools. This leadership role involves modernizing legacy software to improve administrative efficiency across the university. By architecting scalable cloud solutions, Elgiadi supports the growing demand for remote learning and digital collaboration. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with academic leaders to integrate advanced computing resources into the curriculum. Through the implementation of robust network security, Elgiadi protects sensitive institutional data from emerging threats. This strategic focus on technology enables the university to maintain a competitive edge in the digital landscape. Ultimately, Elgiadi drives the technological transformation necessary to support the evolving needs of a modern public research institution.

Brent Vernon, the Chief of Staff at Washington State University, coordinates executive communications and facilitates strategic alignment across the leadership team. Overseeing the daily operations of the president's office, the Chief of Staff manages high-level projects that impact the entire university community. This leadership role involves synthesizing complex information from various departments to support informed decision-making. By streamlining administrative workflows, Vernon enhances the efficiency of institutional governance. The Chief of Staff acts as a primary liaison between the executive office and external stakeholders, ensuring consistent messaging regarding university priorities. Through the management of critical initiatives, Vernon advances the strategic vision of the institution. This role requires balancing immediate operational demands with long-term academic goals. Ultimately, Vernon ensures that the executive leadership remains focused on the core mission of providing high-quality education and research opportunities to the public.

Brad Hutchins, the Deputy Director of Athletics, Chief Revenue Officer at Washington State University, architects the financial strategy for the athletic department. Overseeing sponsorship acquisitions and ticket sales, the Chief Revenue Officer drives revenue growth to support student-athlete programs. This leadership role involves developing innovative marketing campaigns to increase fan engagement across the Pacific Northwest. By optimizing corporate partnerships, Hutchins secures the funding necessary for facility upgrades and team operations. The Chief Revenue Officer collaborates with the athletic director to align commercial goals with the competitive success of the university teams. Through data-driven analysis of market trends, Hutchins identifies new opportunities for brand expansion. This focus on fiscal sustainability ensures that the athletic department remains a self-sustaining entity within the broader university structure. Ultimately, Hutchins strengthens the financial position of the athletic program through strategic commercial development.

Daniel Van De Riet, the Chief of Staff - Football at Washington State University, manages the operational logistics and administrative functions for the football program. Overseeing team scheduling and travel arrangements, the Chief of Staff - Football ensures that the coaching staff maintains focus on player development and game preparation. This leadership role involves coordinating with academic advisors to monitor the progress of student-athletes. By streamlining internal processes, Van De Riet improves the efficiency of the football department. The Chief of Staff - Football facilitates communication between the coaching staff and university administration to ensure compliance with athletic regulations. Through the management of daily operations, Van De Riet supports the competitive goals of the team. This role requires meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage complex schedules. Ultimately, Van De Riet provides the organizational support necessary for the football program to achieve success on the field.

Danny Talbot, the Chief of Staff & Associate Professor at Washington State University, bridges the gap between academic instruction and institutional administration. Overseeing faculty engagement initiatives, the Chief of Staff & Associate Professor ensures that administrative policies support the pedagogical mission of the university. This leadership role involves teaching courses while simultaneously managing high-level executive projects. By integrating academic perspectives into administrative decision-making, Talbot fosters a collaborative environment between faculty and leadership. The Chief of Staff & Associate Professor coordinates cross-departmental efforts to improve student outcomes. Through the application of research-based strategies, Talbot enhances the effectiveness of university governance. This dual role requires balancing the demands of the classroom with the complexities of executive management. Ultimately, Talbot strengthens the connection between the academic core and the administrative functions of the institution, ensuring that both areas work in harmony.

Christopher Coons, the Director, Information Technology & Global Campus Acting Chief Information Officer at Washington State University, manages the digital learning environment for the global campus. Overseeing the integration of online educational platforms, the Acting Chief Information Officer ensures that remote students receive a seamless academic experience. This leadership role involves scaling server capacity to accommodate the growing number of online learners. By implementing user-friendly interfaces, Coons improves accessibility for students across diverse geographic locations. The Director, Information Technology & Global Campus Acting Chief Information Officer collaborates with faculty to develop digital course materials that meet high academic standards. Through the maintenance of robust online infrastructure, Coons supports the university's mission of expanding access to education. This role requires constant monitoring of digital trends to keep the global campus at the forefront of online learning. Ultimately, Coons drives the technological innovation necessary for the success of the global campus.