Started April 19, 2010

Finance Manager
Academic Affairs

This job is a liaison between University Accounting and Academic Affairs and general financial go-to for the department.

Diana Burgess worked for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. for the past 13 years in various positions including business analyst for maintenance, accounting lead, contract specialist, strategic sourcing coordinator, and supply chain manager for maintenance. Prior to that, Burgess was a chief financial officer for a local nonprofit and CFO for a savings and loan. Her career began in public accounting with KPMG Peat Marwick.

Burgess was born a Yankee in upstate New York and transplanted to Alaska 10 years later. She graduated from North Pole High School (so definitely a local girl) and ran off to college in New Mexico. She obtained a Bachelor of Accountancy from New Mexico State University, became a certified public account in Texas and went on to receive a Master’s of Science for Project Management from Colorado Technical University.

She has been married for eight years and has two lovely teenage girls, one in high school and one at UAF. Burgess is a basketball coach and referee in her spare time. She loves sports, reading, music and meeting new people.

Started April 05, 2010

Data Specialist/Research Assistant
University of Alaska Foundation

Sam Phillips has worked in the insurance industry for 13 years. His last job was working for Marsh USA as their professional standards officer prior to going back to college.

Phillips was born and raised in Palmer.

He received on-the-job training in the insurance industry and attended a number of seminars. Phillips recently attended Charter College for an associate degree in computer science. While working in the insurance field, he had a property & casualty insurance license and achieved a CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) designation.

Phillips' wife Christine is a UAA Alumna and teaches elementary school. They have two sons, ages 13 and 11. He enjoys the outdoors through snowboarding and hiking. When the weather is bad he likes playing games on the computer with his kids.�

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