Brekke named interim VP for finance and operations Alice Brekke will serve as the interim vice president of finance and operations at the University of North Dakota, President Robert Kelley has announced. Brekke, who currently serves as assistant to the president and budget director, will succeed Robert Gallager, who has served as the vice president for finance and operations since May 2000. "Alice Brekke has been responsible for oversight of UND's budget for many years. She is an experienced administrator familiar with a broad range of issues affecting higher education. Alice has worked extensively with the policies and procedures of the North Dakota University System and the Legislative process. In her current position, she works closely with the leadership of the institution and the staff of the Division of Finance and Operations. She knows that portfolio well and is a good choice for leadership at UND as interim vice president for finance and operations. I look forward to working with her and her continuing service on the President's Cabinet," said Kelley. Kelley praised Gallager for his eight years of service to UND. "Vice President Gallager has been central to the growth and development of UND for the past several years. His ability to recognize an opportunity, and then to find ways of building on the opportunity, is remarkable. He has been directly responsible for planning and implementing a great deal of the new construction on the UND campus, including development of the Bronson property north of campus, the new residence halls and dining commons, the president's residence, the tech park and the Center for Innovation building. In addition, he has overseen the operation of campus facilities and the staff that make the UND campus so beautiful. I wish him the very best as he and Marian relocate to Charleston, S.C." A UND alum, Brekke has served the University for 29 years in a number of support and leadership roles, including assistant to the dean for the School of Engineering, business manager for the Energy and Environmental Research Center, director of grants and contracts and budget director. In her current position, she has also worked on a number of special assignments such as the University transition to Division I. She represents UND on a number of committees internally, within the greater Grand Forks community and at the state level. Brekke holds a master of accountancy and is a certified management accountant as well as a certified research administrator.