John Nixon joined the University of Utah’s Presidential Cabinet on March 1, 2014 where he now serves as the Chief Business Officer. He is focused on optimizing resources and administrative efficiencies for the university’s $3.4 billion enterprise as the university builds its reputation as a leader in education and research.
Nixon served as Michigan’s budget director from 2011 to 2014, reporting directly to Governor Rick Snyder, where he led a department of 2,700 employees responsible for the oversight of the state budget, government technology, and the administrative functions of state government. During his tenure, Michigan was successful in eliminating a perpetual $1.5 billion budget deficit and reducing the state’s long-term liabilities by more than $20 billion.
Nixon is the former state budget director for Utah, having served for Governors Jon Huntsman and Gary Herbert. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a BS degree in Corporate Finance from Brigham Young University and an MBA with an emphasis in Information Technology from the University of Utah.
He was named Public Official of the Year in 2012 by Governing magazine, which cited his role in Michigan’s economic turnaround. He was also one of Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers in 2012. He served as President of the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) in 2010. In 2008 he was named Chief Financial Officer of the Year for the public sector by Utah Business Magazine.
