Internal News

UWF names John ‘Vito’ Hite as associate vice president, chief audit executive

University of West Florida President Martha D. Saunders has appointed John ‘Vito’ Hite as associate vice president, chief audit executive, effective today, Feb. 4, 2019.

“John’s extensive background in higher education audit will be an asset to UWF,” Saunders said. “His experiences align well with our needs, and we’re looking forward to his leadership.”

In this role, Hite will be responsible for overseeing the internal audit, investigation and University compliance functions and will act as liaison for audits conducted by external auditors. Hite will develop appropriate annual and long-range plans for UWF’s Internal Auditing and Management Consulting Department. This position serves as staff liaison to the UWF Board of Trustees Audit and Compliance Committee and also as a member of the President’s staff to stay informed of strategic, governance and risk issues and provide guidance to executive leadership.

“I am excited to join UWF and its Internal Audit and Management Consulting Department,” Hite said. “During the interview process, I was impressed with the IAMC staff and their work experience, the beautiful and expansive campus and all staff encountered.”

Hite holds nearly 30 years of audit experience, 16 of which are in higher education internal auditing. In his most recent role, he served as director of internal audit services for Contra Costa Community College District in northern California. He was responsible for performing enterprise risk assessments, updating the risk register and developing and completing the annual audit plan for the district and its three community colleges.

Hite is a certified public accountant, certified internal auditor and a certified fraud examiner. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington and an MBA from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida.

For more information on UWF’s Internal Auditing and Management Consulting Department, visit uwf.edu/iamc.