Paul T. Roman, vice president for Finance and Administration at Seton Hill University, was selected by the Pittsburgh Business Times as the 2009 CFO of the Year in the nonprofit organization category. The CFO Awards were presented to financial professionals in the Pittsburgh region on November 4, 2009, at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa.

In his role as vice president for Finance and Administration at Seton Hill University, Roman is responsible for overseeing the financial and general operations of the University, including developing and implementing programs, plans, and policies pertaining to human resource services, information services, finance and budget, facilities and space management, auxiliary services, public safety, and food service.

In the nearly 15 years Roman has served as Seton Hill’s vice president for Finance and Administration, Seton Hill University has witnessed dramatic growth and a strengthened financial position. Roman’s leadership, financial expertise, and attention to fiscal detail and future growth were critical to these achievements.

“I think my contribution was in the arena of looking at opportunities, sizing them up reasonably quickly and bringing the right financial acumen for what was in front of us that we wanted to do,” said Roman.

“He is a detail man, as well as a big picture person,” said JoAnne Boyle, president, Seton Hill University. “Paul never lets you make any decisions without making you think what you want from it 10 years down the farther horizon. He is the right kind of person to have in higher education because the job is a meaningful one for him and because he knows you make a difference in students’ lives.”

Roman, of Champion, Pa., earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Waynesburg University and his Master of Science degree in public administration from Carnegie Mellon University. Prior to beginning his career with Seton Hill University, Roman worked for 10 years with the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System as the executive vice president of finance and chief financial officer.

The CFO of the Year Awards are presented by the Pittsburgh Business Times to financial professionals in the Pittsburgh region for outstanding performance in their roles as corporate financial stewards. The awards are presented in five categories: small private company, medium private company, large private company, public company, and nonprofit organization. This program provides many benefits to the region’s business community by highlighting the growing importance of financial executives in the region.