McCarthy to help develop economic development plan

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: 907-474-7902
10/21/08

University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Brian Rogers has appointed consultant Paul McCarthy to implement recommendations from UAF’s economic development transition team.

McCarthy, a UAF emeritus professor and director, served on the economic development transition team and is familiar with the intent behind its recommendations, said Rogers. "His depth of experience with and knowledge of UAF, especially its grant and research effort, his corporate experience and his knowledge of our community and state, make him an ideal and unique candidate to perform this consulting work."

The transition team’s recommendations include establishing a university economic development task force; developing a plan based on communities’ economic development needs; identifying opportunities for the university of participate in economic development activities; and collaborating with the state on economic development strategy.

"He will work with me to integrate UAF’s activities in this area with the Fairbanks, Interior and western Alaska communities," Rogers said. "UAF needs to be working with our communities in Fairbanks and around Alaska to see how we can help create jobs and economic development. Paul’s efforts will work to help grow local economies, the state and the university."

McCarthy noted that the university has always been a strong part of the Interior’s economy. He said that UAF now has an opportunity to broaden its impact by participating in a strong economic development effort.

"The university, because of its robust and nationally recognized research program, can become a leading partner in furthering economic development--in terms of business and industry--of the area and the region," McCarthy said. "Many at the university are quite interested in this enhanced role for the university and it will be a pleasure to work with them and other members of our community."

McCarthy’s association with UAF spans more than 34 years. He served as director of libraries, director of libraries and information technology, and as interim provost for research. He first retired in 1993, but continued to administer a series of grant-funded projects centered in Alaska and the Russian Far East. He returned to UAF in 2000 and retired again in 2005. In addition, McCarthy’s private-sector experience includes serving as the full-time president and CEO of Western Library Network and later as executive director of Online Computer Library Center/WLN Pacific Northwest Service Center, a division of OCLC, a nonprofit company providing services to more than 30,000 libraries worldwide.

CONTACT: Paul McCarthy at 907-322-2044 or via e-mail at paul@pmcmgmtak.com. UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers at 907-474-7112 or via e-mail at fnbdr@uaf.edu. Marmian Grimes, UAF public information officer, at 907-474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu.

ON THE WEB: www.uaf.edu/transition/index.xml

CJB/10-21-08/053-09