PHOENIX — Universal Technical Institute Inc. (UTI) has announced that Eugene Putnam, Jr. has assumed the role of interim chief financial officer (CFO) of the company. Putnam will serve as the company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer until a permanent CFO is appointed.

Putnam is currently employed by Resources Global Professionals, a professional services firm, and will be providing his services to the company through an agreement between the company and Resources Global Professionals. The company’s former CFO will assist in Putnam’s integration into the company.

Prior to joining Resources Global Professionals, from 2005 through 2007 Putnam, 48, served as the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Aegis Mortgage Corp. At Aegis Mortgage Corp., Putnam was responsible for financial leadership, corporate strategy and mergers and acquisitions. From 2003 through 2005, Putnam served as the president of Coastal Securities L.P., where he was responsible for all operational and strategic aspects of the company’s broker-dealer operations. From 2001 through 2003, Putnam served as the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sterling Bancshares, Inc. He holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina and a BS in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

"I am very pleased to have someone of Eugene’s caliber join our team to assist us during this interim period. We continue the search for our permanent CFO and look forward to filling this role in the near future," said President and CEO Kimberly McWaters.

For more information about UTI, go to: http://www.uticorp.com.