Juanita Pena Selected as Director of Business and Financial Services/Controller

I am pleased to announce that an experienced accounting professional has been hired as CSU-Pueblo’s Director of Business and Financial Services/ Controller. Juanita Pena, Director of Finance at Pueblo Community College, will become the chief accounting officer for the University beginning April 15.

A nine-member search committee recommended Juanita from a national pool of more than 24 applications.  As Controller, Juanita will report to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the Colorado State University System and serve as the chief accounting officer for CSU-Pueblo.

As a key member of CSU-Pueblo's financial leadership team, Juanita will make recommendations for improving internal control systems, assist the Colorado State University System with financial audits, ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, and provide strong leadership to staff.
 
Her responsibilities will include general accounting, payroll, accounts receivable and collections, cash services, fixed assets, plant funds, restricted gifts and endowment, tax compliance, contracts and grants and development of sound internal controls over financial operations at the University. 

Given Juanita’s extensive background in budget development and management, governmental accounting, audits, and grant funds, and with 12 years in higher education, she brings a unique skill-set and experience tailored to the needs of Business Financial Services and to the university.

Juanita was raised in Alamosa Colorado.  She graduated from Alamosa High School and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Adams State University.  She later obtained a Master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management from Keller University.  She has 12 years of experience in higher education, as well as extensive experience with grants and audits.

Prior to serving as Director of Finance at Pueblo Community College, she was the Controller at Trinidad State Junior College for four years.

She has one son who will be graduating from CSU-Pueblo in the spring of 2019 and a daughter who will begin attending CSU-Pueblo in the fall of 2019.  Her hobbies include hiking, playing with her dogs and spending time with family and friends.

Please join me in welcoming Juanita to our university.

Best wishes,

Timothy Mottet