Steve Patin to lead Human Resources at the University of Alaska

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen announced today that Steven J. Patin has been named Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for the university and will assume his new position on Oct. 25.

Patin, who succeeds Keli Hite-McGee, currently is vice president at Alaska Communications overseeing all aspects of the company’s customer service functions. He leads the field operations, information technology, and the corporate program management teams.

“The national search for our CHRO was led by a search committee comprised of representatives from all three universities and the statewide office,” Johnsen said. “After a very competitive process, the committee made an outstanding choice in Steve Patin, a person of honor, skill and experience. I look forward to welcoming him to the team, and working closely on issues that will serve our people as they serve our mission.”

Patin joined Alaska Communications in 2011 and in his many roles at the company, he has managed its lean enterprise transformation, led field operations across Alaska and the Lower 48, and served as the company’s senior director of business transformation.

Prior to his time at Alaska Communications, Patin enjoyed a distinguished military career in the United States Army, and retired in 2011 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  He served at various locations worldwide and as part of multiple contingency deployments.  While at Fort Bragg, NC in the mid-1990s, Patin served as CHRO for an 850-person Battalion Task Force responsible for all personnel matters including compensation and benefits, labor relations, performance appraisals, personnel development, process improvement, health service support and safety.

He also is no stranger to the university having served as a member of the UAA School of Nursing Community Advisory Board. He also served as professor and head of the Department of Military Science at UAF and led the expansion of the Army ROTC program at UAA in 2009. Patin has served as Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Army Alaska, as a Senior Advisor to the President of the Royal Military School, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Assistant Professor/Program Director in Leadership Studies, US Military Academy, West Point.

“I am humbled by this appointment as Chief Human Resources Officer at the University of Alaska,” Patin said.  “I have great admiration for the people of our university. I look forward to gaining an understanding of their needs and serving them as they perform their roles of teaching, research, support, and sustainment.”  

Johnsen said Patin will be based in Anchorage overseeing the UA’s HR teams and all HR functions.