Rogers names Shefchik new executive officer

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: 907-474-7902
03/06/09

University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Brian Rogers has named longtime Fairbanksan Bob Shefchik as UAF’s new executive officer.

In the new position, Shefchik will be a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet and will serve as a senior advisor to that body and to Rogers. He will serve as a liaison between the chancellor’s office and community and state officials and organizations. As part of that work, he will look for opportunities for UAF to contribute to and benefit from economic development efforts in the community and state. Shefchik will also lead initiatives--such as those identified by the chancellor’s transition teams--that involve multiple units at the university.

"Bob’s knowledge of the university combined with his experience in the public sector here in Fairbanks made him an ideal candidate for this job," said Rogers. "Having Bob on board is going to greatly assist us with where UAF needs to be going in critical areas such as community engagement and economic development."

Shefchik will also be responsible for managing an external review of UAF executive administration, Rogers added. "Bob will work closely with external consultant Terry MacTaggart on a review of UAF administration and will be responsible for implementation of MacTaggart recommendations."

Shefchik currently serves as the chief of staff for the Fairbanks North Star Borough, a position he has held since 2005. Prior to that, he worked for six years as the finance officer and assistant director at the UAF Geophysical Institute and nearly two decades in various positions with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. He is a graduate of Lathrop High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.

Shefchik is slated to start work at the university on March 23. The $137,000-a-year position is funded through September 2010.

CONTACT: 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.

MG/3-6-09/120-09