Tom Hough was appointed as the executive director of University Advancement in July 2024. In this role, he leads UAF's development, alumni relations, communications and marketing activities. 

Hough previously served as the director of UAF Department of Military and Veteran Services, a role he has held since 2022. As the DMVS director, Hough initiated the Environmental Community Partnership between UAF and the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Wainwright. This 10-year, multimillion-dollar agreement created 22 new UAF staff positions and sparked additional partnership opportunities for UAF with federal agencies. 

Hough was nominated for the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Messer Award by the commanders of both Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base and received the award during the 2024 military appreciation banquet from the vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army, General James Mingus. Hough was also selected to serve as the co-chair of the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee.

During his career as a U.S. Army officer, Hough served in various assignments throughout the United States, including Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Moore, Georgia; Fort Liberty, North Carolina; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Fort Drum, New York; and Monterey, California, and spent numerous years living in Europe in both Italy and Germany. His favorite assignment, however, was the two years he spent at Fort Wainwright as the commander of 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Bobcats).

Following his assignment in Alaska, Hough next served as the commander of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany. 

Hough earned a master’s degree in international relations from Troy University, and master’s degrees in strategic planning from the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College and the National Defense University. He also studied Italian language and culture at the Defense Language Institute.