Following a national search, Tressa Ries has accepted the position of Vice President for Finance and Administration at St. Cloud State University and will officially begin her tenure on July 1.
As the new vice president of finance and administration, Tressa will report to and partner closely with President Robbyn Wacker. As a member of the president’s cabinet, Ries will provide visionary and integrated leadership dedicated to a culture of optimism, collaboration, transparency, sustainability, engagement and integrity.
Ries was identified as the top candidate for the post by a 15-member search committee comprised of select campus representatives. Her hire followed an extensive industry-wide search supported by Oak Brook, Illinois-based global executive search firm WittKieffer. Uniquely, due to COVID-19, all semifinalist and finalist interviews were conducted virtually as has been the trend around the nation. The decision for virtual interviews was made to prioritize the health and safety of everyone involved.
Tressa Ries
Ries has more than 15 years of higher-education experience from financial leadership roles at one private and two public institutions. In her most recent role, Ries took on various responsibilities as the interim chief financial officer, board treasurer, associate vice president and controller at Mary Baldwin University in Stauton, Virginia.
“Ries is the perfect fit for St. Cloud State because of her experience and collaborative approach in managing the financial operations of complex organizations. I am confident in her ability to build, lead and advise financial operations for St. Cloud State,” Wacker said.
“We are extremely pleased Tressa Ries will be our next Vice President of Finance and Administration,” said Phil Thorson, St Cloud State chief information officer and search committee chair. “She is someone who will establish strong partnership and collaboration with university leadership, creating and sustaining a culture of financial and administrative health. We are extremely confident that she will carry on St. Cloud State’s standards of excellence while helping the institution to continue to innovate and grow.”
“This is truly a unique opportunity for me,” Ries said. “It is the culmination of many years of leadership in this industry. I look forward to working with the St. Cloud board of directors and executive team to carry out the organization’s mission.”
Ries brings a highly qualified background as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner and recipient of an advanced degree. Through these endeavors, she has developed a considerable skillset and leadership acumen. She looks forward to utilizing these assets effectively as the new vice president of finance and administration.
