Stivers comes on board as new vice president
Robbi Stivers, a former banking executive with 18 years of higher education leadership experience, has joined Palm Beach State College as the new vice president of administration and business services.
Photography by Jason Halley
Stivers, a Kentucky native who has lived in Tennessee for most of his career, replaces Richard Becker, who officially retires in March after more than 20 years. He was chosen after a nationwide search and came on board Jan. 7.
“Robbi has an impressive mix of higher education and private banking experience that will serve our College well,’’ said Ava L. Parker, J.D., PBSC president. “I look forward to his fresh ideas and perspectives to help further enhance our operations and meet our strategic plan goals.”
For the last year, Stivers held the position of chief financial officer and vice president for business & finance at the California State University Chico campus with direct responsibility for a $225 million budget. Prior to then, he worked for 17 years at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, first as the director of the Office of Capital Projects Division of Real Property and Space Administration before becoming executive director for the Office of Capital Projects in 2011. He had oversight responsibilities for about 900 buildings and capital projects of more than $2.4 billion.
Before transitioning into higher education, Stivers worked in the financial services industry at various Tennessee banks for 15 years in the roles of senior vice president for commercial and executive banking, vice president and assistant vice president for commercial and private banking, and assistant vice president/branch manager. In addition, he was a part-time adjunct faculty instructor at Virginia Intermont College where he was approved to teach financial, business and management courses.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve a growing state College that serves 49,000 students on five campuses. Palm Beach State College has many talented people that serve this institution well. I look forward to working with my new colleagues and contribute to the great work being done,’’ he said.
He says he’s a “big believer in service quality” and will spend his first weeks getting to know more about the campuses, the strategic initiatives of the College and the Florida College System. “I look forward to getting to know the staff and determining what we are really doing well and what areas we need to improve upon.”
Stivers is married with two sons. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from Tusculum College and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business Administration from Tennessee Wesleyan University. He also attended Mid-South Graduate School of Banking at Memphis State University.
