Faith and Service
Office of the President
Awards and Rankings
Brian Thomason Named UP Vice President for Financial Affairs
In a message to University of Portland staff and faculty, President Robert Kelly, PhD, announced the hiring of Brian M. Thomason as the University’s new Vice President for Financial Affairs.
Thomason, who currently serves as Interim Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Chapman University in Orange, Calif., will begin his tenure on The Bluff on July 13.
The selection of Thomason culminated a national search that attracted a talented pool of applicants and featured a comprehensive round of finalist interviews involving nearly fifty UP community members—including the Academic Senate, the Staff Senate, and the University Budget Advisory Committee.
Thomason emerged as the choice to oversee the University’s Financial Affairs division and serve on the President’s Leadership Cabinet as a “visionary, strategic, mission-driven leader” who is “oriented toward the advancement of long-term financial resilience,” Dr. Kelly said.
“Brian centers the well-being of students and, indeed, all community members in his decision-making,” Dr. Kelly wrote in his announcement. “I am confident that he will be an excellent thought-partner and colleague to many across campus, and that he will contribute much to the continued vibrancy of our Catholic, Holy Cross mission here on The Bluff.”
Prior to his interim EVP role at Chapman University, Thomason served as that institution’s Vice President for Finance & Controller. He previously served in finance leadership roles at Pepperdine University and Abilene Christian University and worked as Executive Director of JP Morgan Chase & Company’s higher education practice.
Thomason earned his undergraduate business degree summa cum laude from Abilene Christian University and his MBA from Auburn University. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, Thomason is fluent in Castilian Spanish. While at Pepperdine, he directed a study abroad program featuring pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, and he helped develop a multi-year financial literacy initiative for students.
"Joining the University of Portland as Vice President for Financial Affairs is a tremendous blessing and honor,” Thomason said, adding, “My experience throughout the search process affirmed that UP is a place of tremendous mission, vision, and momentum. I look forward to working alongside staff, faculty, and Regent colleagues to ensure that UP's next 125 years are as bright as the 125 that have come before.”
In his announcement, Dr. Kelly thanked Associate Vice President & Controller Ken Pifer, who served as UP’s Interim Vice President for Financial Affairs for the Spring 2026 semester. “Ken has led the talented members of our financial affairs team with distinction, and I am so deeply grateful for the perspective he has provided to me and many others during his time as Interim Vice President,” said Dr. Kelly.
Related Posts
Office of the President
Awards and Rankings
UP Deemed a ‘National’ Institution by U.S. News & World Report
Awards and Rankings
Office of the President
Student Success
UP a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students
Office of the President