Coming from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Janice Krueger is no stranger to the Laboratory. She’s excited to get closer to the science by joining the ALS community. Read on to see how she’ll stock her office when we get back on site.
Welcome! What did you do before joining the ALS?
I have been with the Lab and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer for about 10 years. I was a senior field finance manager, leading a team of 11 that provided matrixed financial management, strategic consulting advice, and financial modelling and analyses. We provided policies and training to senior leaders and their teams in the Lab Directorate and Operations Area to assist them with their decision making and effective execution with their financial and fiduciary responsibilities.
How did you get into this field?
After taking an accounting class in high school, I felt like I was pretty good with numbers. I continued my academic studies at Cal State University, Hayward (CSUH) and studied business administration, with a focus in accounting. While going to CSUH, I also worked part time as an assistant controller at an ice cream distributor, which shaped my passion over business finance and accounting. After I graduated, I joined a public accounting firm as an auditor where I planned and managed reviews, audits, and compilations in the governmental, manufacturing and high-tech industries, and after passing the CPA exam, earned my CPA license.
I eventually left the audit field primarily because of the constant traveling and because I didn’t enjoy telling our clients all the things they did wrong during our exit conferences. This is where I realized my true passion. My next journey and goal were to find a place where I could make a difference in helping to solve problems. I spent several years with PG&E before I found the Laboratory. The mission drew me in, and knowing I was never going to be a scientist, I came here to help others advance the mission through my financial and operations contributions. And so, I am excited to continue my journey, being a problem solver and helping ALS advance the mission.
What does your role of business manager entail?
My role oversees and manages the business management team, which includes our business support team and matrixed OCFO financial resource analysts. I am responsible for providing the overall direction, leadership, and management support for the ALS financial portfolio, business administration, and human resources management.
Being part of the ALS community and this national scientific user facility is an amazing opportunity, and I’m thrilled to be here. I’m really looking forward to getting to know the team, our operations and the amazing science that goes on under the dome. Oh, and I’ll have candy in my office all the time!
Is there a particular project you’re proud to have been part of?
In supporting the Lab Directorate and Operations, I feel privileged to have provided financial support in connection with the construction of five new buildings and many other large maintenance, IT, and construction projects. I’m proud to have been part of each of them. Every building has had its challenges and interesting twists! The Integrative Genomics Building (IGB/Building 91) has probably been the toughest, but everyone pulled together, and it was completed in 2019. With these new building projects, it’s about a five-year cycle from the planning to actual construction and close out. For each project, we worked with the project teams to ensure financial compliance, prepare financial analytics, and provide technical guidance interpretations and funds control management. The ribbon cutting ceremony and seeing the results of our efforts was very rewarding. We have several new buildings coming in the near future that I also supported, such as the welcome center and BioEPIC, which I look forward to seeing constructed in the near future.
There’s a lot of construction and exciting things going on at the Laboratory! And with my new role, I’m looking forward to supporting ALS projects and the ALS-U Project.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to cook, try new recipes and enjoy beading, making jewelry. My son attends the University of Hawaii. I usually visit him in the spring and catch a few UH volleyball matches, after hitting the beach! I also spend time up in Truckee and can be found out and about walking my dog, Blizzy.
