FAMU President Appoints New Auditor and General Counsel

By Veronique George, FAMU Forward

Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., announced two accomplished executives will be joining his senior leadership team.

Joseph K. Maleszewski has accepted a position as the University’s vice president for Audit. His appointment is effective March 29, 2019. Maleszewski most recently served as the city auditor for the City of Tallahassee.

Denise Wallace, J.S.D.,has accepted an appointment as FAMU’s vice president and general counsel. She is serving in the same capacity at Dillard University in New Orleans and is licensed to practice law in Louisiana and Florida. Her appointment is effective May 20, 2019.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Robinson and to provide legal advice and counsel to the Board of Trustees and senior administrators,” said Wallace. “I look forward to helping FAMU achieve its goals set forth in its strategic plan.”

Maleszewski will oversee FAMU’s audit team in providing independent evaluation and other services regarding University operations and finances to the Board of Trustees and President Robinson. These services are designed to add value and to improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of University risk management, control and governance processes.

“It is a distinct honor to be selected for this important oversight and accountability role at the nation’s top public historically Black college or university,” said Maleszewksi.  “I look forward to joining the team and continuing the fine work of my predecessor Rick Givens and all of the FAMU audit staff.”

President Robinson thanked the FAMU leaders who stepped in to assist the University during the transition of two significant positions as well as committee members who began the national search for applicants last December.

“I’m looking forward to working with Ms. Wallace and Mr. Maleszewski, who will assume important roles at the University,” said Robinson.

He added, “I appreciate the work and dedication of Shira Thomas, who served as general counsel in the interim, and Rica Calhoun who stepped in to assist with the auditor’s duties after the retirement of Rick Givens.”

Wallace and Maleszewski have extensive experience working with public entities in Florida.

Prior to becoming city auditor, Maleszewski served as the inspector general and director of Compliance for the State University System of the Florida Board of Governors.

Maleszewski holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing and a Master in Business Administration from Florida State University.

He is a Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Inspector General, Certified Inspector General Investigator, Certified Inspector General Auditor, Certified Government Auditing Professional and Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional.

Wallace has served as assistant city attorney for the City of Miami; assistant school board attorney for Miami-Dade County Public Schools; and general counsel for Palm Beach State College. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism/English from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and her master’s degree in intercultural leadership and management from the School for International Training, Brattleboro, Vermont.

Wallace’s juris doctorate is from Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she graduated cum laude. She received her Master of Laws from St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami Gardens, Florida graduating summa cum laude and valedictorian and doctorate of laws degree in Intercultural Human Rights/International Law at St. Thomas, focusing on transnational corporations, corporate social responsibility and human rights.