Chris Viton is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 20 years of financial leadership experience in higher education. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Penn State University and a master's degree in finance from Rutgers University. Viton began his career in the finance industry and joined the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 2006 as deputy controller. He was promoted to controller in 2010 and later served as associate vice president for Financial Services and controller from 2018 to 2023.
In November 2023, he was appointed vice chancellor for budget and finance and chief financial officer for the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). He returned to UNLV in 2026 as its Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Business Affairs, a role that places him at the helm of the university's financial strategy and business operations. Viton is known for his strategic focus on resilience, collaboration, and long-term planning for higher education institutions.
Beyond his core financial responsibilities, Viton is involved in gaming and hospitality innovation through UNLV’s International Gaming Institute and the Black Fire Innovation Lab, which support industry partnerships in gaming and entertainment. He and his wife Pam have two adult children. Outside work, he enjoys mountain biking, running, and endurance racing.
Career History
| Company | Role | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Deputy Controller | 2006-01-01 – 2010-01-01 |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Controller | 2010-01-01 – 2018-01-01 |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Associate Vice President for Financial Services and Controller | 2018-01-01 – 2023-01-01 |
| UNLV | Vice President for Business Affairs & Chief Financial Officer | – present |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Business Affairs | – present |