Written by Justo Torres, Director, Office of Contracts and Grants.
The Office of Contracts and Grants is pleased to highlight some new team members and existing members with new roles. We are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent available and would like everyone to virtually “meet” the following staff:
Houston Alexander, Interim Sr. Fiscal Manager
Houston has been at NC State University since 2010 and has been in the Office of Contracts and Grants since 2014. He started as a work study student during his senior year of college. Houston helps his coworkers with their computer needs, as well as troubleshoots a variety of other system issues. He graduated from the Wilson College of Textiles with a Bachelor of Science degree in fashion and textile management with a concentration in brand management and marketing.
Anthony Brito, Fiscal Manager
Anthony began working for the Office of Contracts and Grants as a fiscal manager in 2024 overseeing grants sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Prior to joining NC State, he worked in numerous roles in financial planning and analysis for local and state governments and in the nonprofit sector in New York and North Carolina.
Omar Foz, Fiscal Manager
Omar’s journey into accounting began with a strong interest in numbers, finance and business. Omar pursued an accounting degree at NC State because of his passion for financial analysis, auditing and managing financial records. During his studies, he gained practical experience through internships and part-time roles, which helped solidify his understanding of accounting principles. After graduating in 2013, he entered the workforce building his career by working in various accounting positions.
Sajan George, Accounts Receivable Manager
Sajan graduated from Bombay University with a degree in finance and accounting. Sajan started working in the Middle East (Oman) in 1991 as an accountant and was promoted to finance and administration manager. He moved to the United States in 2004. He worked with Duke University and later joined the NC State University Cashier’s Office as a support service associate in 2007. In 2014, he started employment with the Office of Contracts and Grants as an accounts receivable specialist.
Rachael O’Steen, Interim Compliance Specialist
Rachael started as finance manager in the Office of Contracts and Grants in 2004. Prior to that, she worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for eight years in various research, administration and financial accounting roles. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1998 at Queens College, City University of New York.
Brad Priser, Assistant Director for Financial Integrity
Brad joined the Office of Contracts and Grants in July 2012 as a compliance specialist. Brad has played significant roles in audit response, effort reporting, subrecipient monitoring, salary redistributions, training and outreach in his tenure at NC State. Prior to working for NC State, he worked at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.
Sherry Williams, Sr. Fiscal Manager
In 2003, Sherry graduated from NC State with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and was employed with NC State in 2004 as a payroll department benefit specialist. Sherry was employed with the Office of Contracts and Grants in 2006. In 2023, she started a new role as interim senior fiscal manager and accepted the senior finance manager position in 2024. One of her essential job duties is to provide guidance for the review and approval of financial reporting packages, final invoices and final reports. She supervises and provides daily oversight, training and guidance for fiscal managers.