Industry experts bring wealth of experience to TVC

Submitted by Michelle Renfrew
Phone: 907-455-2833
09/19/07

Students pursuing degrees in process technology and fire science at the UAF Tanana Valley Campus will be learning from industry veterans. Brian Ellingson, formerly of Flint Hills Resources, has accepted the position of program coordinator of the TVC process technology program. Don Bickmeier, formerly of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, has accepted the position of term assistant professor of the process technology program. Loren C. "Bud" Rotroff, former fire chief at Eielson Air Force Base, has accepted the position of program coordinator of fire science.

"I could not be more pleased with the caliber of these individuals and what they bring to TVC in terms of industry knowledge and best practices" says TVC director Rick Caulfield. "These high-demand programs are essential for meeting the needs of Alaska’s workforce and our new faculty will be instrumental in producing qualified graduates to meet those demands."

Ellingson comes to TVC with 20 years of experience in the process industry, most recently as a training consultant at Flint Hills Resources. Ellingson has extensive experience as a refinery operations shift supervisor, training coordinator with Flint Hills, current board member and curriculum development team member with Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium, and as a TVC adjunct faculty member.

Bickmeier brings 32 years of experience in the petroleum/pipeline industry, having recently retired from Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. He has served as a topping unit process operator, pipeline operator, pump station mechanic, pipeline training generalist and shop supervisor.

Rotroff has more than five decades of experience in his field, having served 13 years as fire chief at Eielson Air Force Base. He was chief of fire protection with the Alaskan Air Command and logged many years service with the State of Alaska, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service and municipal fire departments. Bud has been an adjunct instructor since 1974 and has taught for the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md. He is a life member of the Interior Fire Chiefs Association, Alaska Fire Chiefs Association, Alaska Firefighters Association, National Smokejumper Association and National Wildland Firefighters Association.

CONTACT: Brian Ellingson, process technology program coordinator, at 907-455-2868 or ffbee@uaf.edu, Don Bickmeier, assistant professor, at 907-455-2833 or ffdab2@uaf.edu, Loren C. "Bud" Rotroff, fire science program coordinator, at 907-455-2879 or fflcr@uaf.edu, Michelle Renfrew, TVC marketing and development manager, at (907) 455-2833 or fnmmr@uaf.edu.