PHOENIX -- Universal Technical Institute (UTI) announced that Eugene Putnam Jr., executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), has been promoted to the role of president and CFO.

In this expanded role, Putnam will be responsible for operations, human resources, information technology, legal, regulatory compliance and government relations, in addition to his current CFO responsibilities. He will report to CEO Kimberly McWaters.

Putnam has served as UTI's executive vice president and CFO since July 2008. Prior to joining UTI, he served as executive vice president and CFO of Aegis Mortgage Corp., president of Coastal Securities L.P. and executive vice president and CFO of Sterling Bancshares Inc. Putnam also spent 14 years as director of investor relations and in various corporate finance positions with SunTrust Banks Inc. He received his MBA from the University of North Carolina and holds a BS in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

"Eugene's promotion formalizes the partnership we have had in managing the business over the past few years and recognizes the key role he has played in driving improved efficiencies and recent record-breaking results," said McWaters. "Expanding Eugene's role will also enable me to focus on more traditional CEO responsibilities, like company strategy, with an emphasis on our marketing and admissions activities. I am truly excited about our continued collaboration as we move the business forward."