Following a national search, Chris Kabourek, a 20-year veteran of the university’s senior leadership team, has been named the University of Nebraska’s new vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer.
Kabourek, who has held the interim role since January, will assume the permanent position pending approval by the NU Board of Regents at its Aug. 3 meeting. He brings more than two decades of progressive financial leadership experience at the university, including 11 years as assistant vice president in which he worked closely with executives across and outside the university on budgeting, capital planning, debt financing, accounting, risk management, human resources and benefits, legislative strategy and other areas.
As chief financial officer, Kabourek will be part of the president’s executive cabinet and will be the senior business officer for the University of Nebraska system, overseeing all financial and administrative services supporting the university’s $2.6 billion operating budget.
“As a lifelong Nebraskan and first-generation college student, I know firsthand the impact that higher education has on young peoples’ lives and our state as a whole,” Kabourek said. “I’m humbled to have the opportunity to help the University of Nebraska continue that work..”
A native of David City, Nebraska, Kabourek earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He joined NU’s Central Administration office in 1997 as a budget and research analyst.
As CFO, Kabourek will serve as treasurer of the National Strategic Research Institute, Nebraska Applied Research Institute, University Technology Development Corp. and University of Nebraska Facilities Corp.
Kabourek is chair of the board for the University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union, an NCAA and Nebraska School Activities Association basketball official, and youth basketball, baseball and football coach. He and his wife, Jamie, have three sons.
