UVAFinance Welcomes Kent Dickey as Financial Advisor

Welcome to UVAFinance!

Kent Dickey recently joined the UVAFinance team as a Financial Advisor, bringing with him more than three decades of experience in state government work and a deep commitment to public service. With a strong background in budgeting, financial reporting, and policy, Dickey is already proving to be a valuable asset to the UVAFinance community. 

Dickey lives in Richmond, Virginia and attended graduate school there at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he received his Master of Public Administration degree, with a specific interest in public finance. After receiving his MPA, he started work in the State’s education department and continued working there for the majority of his career. Over the years, Dickey held several leadership positions within the State’s Department of Education, including Budget Director, Assistant Superintendent, and eventually, Deputy Superintendent of Budget, Finance, and Operations. During that time, he worked closely with higher education partners, like the University of Virginia, on grants and contracts ranging from economic and demographic research to early education and literacy initiatives.

Now retired from full-time state employment, Dickey was drawn to UVAFinance for the opportunity to continue contributing in a meaningful, part-time capacity towards higher education. He was also drawn to the defined mission and goals UVA outlines in its day-to-day work. Additionally, having worked with several UVA staff in his previous roles, the transition felt natural. “It’s been great to reconnect with former colleagues and step back into a familiar environment, in a new way,” he shares. 

As a Financial Advisor, Dickey will be focused on supporting the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) team, led by Brian Logwood. Dickey’s work will involve enhancing key reporting processes, assisting with UVA’s Six-Year Plan, submission to SCHEV and the annual budget development process, and further develop use of funds processes and policies. He will also serve as a reviewer for data and reporting deliverables, helping to ensure accuracy and provide an experienced perspective. Dickey will also lend support during peak reporting periods, times when his expertise and additional capacity will make a significant impact. He sees his role as both collaborative and technical, noting that much of finance involves independent work that is later brought back to the team for refinement and implementation.

Outside of work, Dickey stays busy with his family and a variety of hobbies. He and his wife, who recently retired from the state community college system, also enjoy spending time with their dog and cat, whom he calls the “best workday destressors.” They’ve had much to celebrate in the past couple of years, with their son receiving his MBA from Villanova in 2024, and their daughter graduating from UVA’s School of Architecture this May and joining an architecture firm in NYC in August after completing some summer projects in the A-School. When Dickey’s not supporting UVAFinance, you may find him on the golf course, in the garden, or doing some home renovations. He and his wife enjoy traveling and recently returned from an adventure in Italy, where they toured various cities and historic sites.