About Us

Internal Audit Organization Chart - Regent Institutions

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Debra Johnston MBA, CIA, CISA, CFE
Chief Audit Executive
Email: debra.johnston@iowaregents.edu
Campus Address: 2nd Floor Administrative Services Building
Phone: 319-467-0150

Debra Johnston was named the Board of Regents Chief Audit Executive in November 2020, and is responsible for overseeing the auditing efforts of the Regent enterprise. Deb joined the University of Iowa’s Office of Internal Audit in January 2001 as a Senior Auditor. She previously worked for more than twenty years in the corporate world where she managed the accounting and finance functions of both service and manufacturing companies. Immediately prior to her working for the University, Deb was the Financial Systems Development Manager for APAC Customer Services during a large Lawson Software implementation. Deb earned a BBA in Finance and MBA from the University of Iowa, is a Certified Internal Auditor, a Certified Information Systems Auditor, and a Certified Fraud Examiner.

 

   

 

 

 

 

James Pitcher, MBA, CPA, CFE
Audit Manager
Email: jpitcher@iastate.edu
Campus Address: 2nd Floor Administrative Services Building
Phone: 319-467-0151

James Pitcher was named Audit Manager at Iowa State University’s Office of Internal Audit in March 2022. James joined the University of Iowa’s Office of Internal Audit in May 2013 as a health science auditor and was named a senior auditor in 2016. He previously worked as an auditor at the State of Iowa Auditor’s Office. James earned a BA in Public Accounting, Business Administration, and German from Coe College and an MBA from the University of Iowa. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner.

 

Connor Blair
Auditor
Email: blairc@iastate.edu
Campus Address: 2nd Floor Administrative Services Building
Phone: 515-294-0430

Connor Blair joined Iowa State University's Office in August 2022. He previously worked as a Product Specialist in the firearms industry, specializing in product management and data analytics. Connor graduated from Central College in May 2021 with a BA in Business Management and an emphasis in Marketing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Austin Beck
Auditor
Email: adbeck@iastate.edu
Campus Address: 2nd Floor Administrative Services Building
Phone: 515-294-0355

Austin Beck joined Iowa State University's Office in June 2023. He previously worked in public accounting, performing audits of public schools across Iowa. Austin graduated from Iowa State University in 2018 with a BA in Finance.

 

Breana Hardman
Auditor
Email: breanac@iastate.edu
Campus Address: 2nd Floor Administrative Services Building
Phone: 515-294-0355

Breana Hardman joined Iowa State University's Office in September 2023. She previously worked in human resources and business administration at the Univeristy since 2019. Breana graduated from Iowa State Univeristy in 2015 with a BS in Business Management.