Thomas now vice chancellor of business and finance

Deb Thomas has been named vice chancellor for business and finance.

Thomas has been the interim vice chancellor since June 2015, when UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold. M.D., named her to succeed vice chancellor Don Leuenberger following his retirement.

“I am pleased that Deb is moving into this role on a permanent basis,” Dr. Gold said. “This past year has shown that with her demonstrated professional abilities, her interpersonal skills and her experience both at UNMC and in government, Deb is the perfect leader for business and finance as UNMC continues on our journey of excellence and moves toward our goal of making Nebraska the healthiest state in the union.”

In her role as vice chancellor, Thomas is responsible for all campus facilities, budget, human resources, information technology, finance/business services, security and legal service. More than 600 people are included in these departments.

Before becoming interim vice chancellor for business and finance, Thomas served as the senior associate vice chancellor. She has been with UNMC since 2006, when she joined as associate vice chancellor for finance and business services.

“I am grateful that Chancellor Gold and the UNMC leadership have given me this opportunity,” Thomas said. “Business and Finance is a great team, and it is a privilege to be part of a leadership team that is continuing to move UNMC from excellence to eminence in its mission to lead the world in transforming lives with its educational programs, research and clinical services.”

The appointment is contingent on the approval of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, who meet on July 22.

Before joining UNMC, Thomas spent seven years as the assistant vice president for administration for the University of Nebraska, Central Administration. Her career also includes more than 20 years in state government, including serving as policy secretary for the Nebraska Health and Human Services System, director of the Department of Administrative Services and director of several individual agencies within the Health and Human Services System, including Medicaid. She worked for both Republican Gov. Kay Orr and Democratic Gov. Ben Nelson.

Thomas also served as counsel for the Revenue and Executive Committee for the non-partisan Nebraska Legislature, as well as lobbying for the non-partisan City Council of Lincoln. Thomas graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Illinois State University and earned a master of public administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.