Year One Stories

Learn about our employee and team members' journeys as they share their experiences from their first year at the University of Virginia.

Gregory Overton, Senior Finance Specialist

"I've been here a year and loved every minute of it," Gregory Overton said.

When he spotted the UVA Senior Payroll Specialist position on LinkedIn, it resonated with him. "At the time I wasn't really in the market for a career change," he recalls. "Sometimes things just kind of speak to you and that's what happened."

After a decade of payroll experience, most recently at Johns Hopkins University, Overton transitioned to UVA. The new role offered both an elevated title and expanded responsibilities. "It kind of gave me that validation. This is where I am and what I should be doing."

Overton finds fulfillment in supporting UVA and UVA Health employees daily, particularly in helping them navigate tax complexities. This becomes especially crucial for remote workers employed by organizations outside their state of residence. "Obviously we can't give them advice on what to do, but we can make sure that they understand each and every option and let them make the best decision that works for them," Overton said. "Helping the employee see the light when it comes to taxes," explains Overton, "that makes my day right there."

His approach starts with email exchanges, but Overton often finds voice conversations valuable. "We'll get on and call a lot of times. You know, kind of just giving them that extra care," he says. "In fact, I can go on for days about federal taxes," Overton adds with a smile.

From his initial interview through his first Finance Week visit to UVA Grounds, Overton has consistently experienced supportive leadership. "Leadership takes a real interest in their employees," he said, "especially new hires." His manager dedicated weekly meeting time, and he notes, "Even right now, I can ping Angela right now and she'll make time for me. It's just little things like that that, you know, it speaks to the care that UVA has for its employees."

Outside work, Overton dedicates time to his family and enjoys collecting albums on vinyl. He sources albums both online and from local shops, embracing the fact that vinyl's revival has expanded where he finds records. This summer, he made an unexpected discovery: "Cracker Barrel has albums!"

Reflecting on his first year at UVA, Overton emphasizes that coworkers and leadership "were just so patient. The culture is awesome."