Brent Goldberg
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chancellor Steven R. Angle has appointed Brent Goldberg as the University’s next vice chancellor for finance and administration. Goldberg is an experienced chief financial officer with two degrees from UTC. He currently serves as the CFO for the City of Chattanooga and will assume his new duties at UTC on Dec. 1, 2022.
Goldberg was selected after a highly competitive national search, triggered by the departure of Dr. Tyler Forrest, who resigned to accept the presidency of Tennessee Wesleyan University. The division of finance and administration portfolio includes budget and finance, the bursar’s office, facilities planning and management, human resources, emergency services and auxiliary services.
“Brent is a fantastic addition to our leadership team, and his transition to UTC will be nearly seamless,” said Angle. “He has a wealth of experience in public finance and understands the way that our state does business. He has shown himself to be an exceptional and collaborative leader, and he has an appreciation for UTC’s culture, our aspirations and our connection to our community.”
In addition to his leadership role in Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly’s administration, Goldberg served Hamilton County Schools as chief business officer under then-superintendent Bryan Johnson. Goldberg has also served for a decade as an adjunct instructor of accounting at UTC.
“Brent had a tremendously positive impact during his tenure at the city, helping us reform the budgeting process and implementing numerous improvements,” Kelly said. “I am particularly excited that by accepting this new role at UTC, he will be further strengthening ties between the city and the university. We share the belief that Chattanooga cannot fulfill its potential without a great university, and I’m confident Brent will help Dr. Angle and the entire UTC family make that vision a reality.”
Johnson also hailed Angle’s announcement, “Brent is a forward-thinking financial leader. He naturally understands how to leverage resources to accelerate the strategy of an organization, and I’m excited to see what he does to continue to move Chattanooga’s university forward.”
Goldberg’s appointment comes at a particularly exciting time for the University and the division he will lead. The governor and state legislature recently approved more than $100 million in funding for UTC construction and renovation projects such as a new health sciences building, the renovation of the former state office building and the renovation of Brock Hall.
During his candidacy, Goldberg emphasized not only his public finance background but also his profound affinity for UTC. “UTC is a special place. This university made it possible for me to be the first in my family to graduate from college, and it’s also the place where I met my wife. In addition to the importance it holds for me personally, I also believe UTC’s success is vital to the future of our community. The success of UTC correlates directly with the success of Chattanooga and our region.”
In making the announcement, Angle also praised the work of UTC CIO and Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Vicki Farnsworth, who served as interim vice chancellor for finance and administration during the search process. “Vicki provided steady leadership during an important time, and I believe that she will be an incredible resource for Brent and the team during his transition. Her experience in this interim role will add even more value to her ongoing role on our executive leadership team.”
Goldberg earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accountancy from UTC. His additional credentials include Certified Public Accountant and Certified Government Financial Manager. He is also a product of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative and Harvard’s Young American Leaders Program.
