Editor's Note May 2, 2011

We were saddened to learn that Fred Smits passed away suddenly on Saturday April 30 while out jogging. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go to Fred’s wife, son and daughter, as well as all of the coworkers at the university who will sincerely miss working with Fred.

�

Fred Smits, executive director of Infrastructure Technology Services, will assume the duties of Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) for the UA System until a permanent replacement has been selected.

The current CITO, Steve Smith, is leaving UA in May to accept a similar position at the University of Hawaii. A search for a permanent replacement will begin as soon as possible.

Smits has been in his current position since 2006. He joined UA in 1997 as manager of Technical Services.

Smits was born to Latvian parents in Germany. He later came to the United States, arriving on a troop ship when he was five years old, and grew up mainly in New York and California. He served in the U.S. Army in Panama and Vietnam.

Smits has a business degree from Pepperdine University and an MBA from UAF. He has worked with computers since the late 1960s. Previously, he worked for several defense contractors.

He came to UA after working as a civilian contractor in information technology for the Saudi Arabian Air Force for five years.

Started April 8, 2011

Capital Budget Analyst
Statewide Budget Office
�

Sean Holden is the newest member of the Statewide Budget Office. His duties include researching and helping to develop the budget for the UA system.

Prior to coming to Statewide, Holden was a graduate research assistant and teaching assistant for the UAF School of Management.

Holden was born and raised in Fairbanks. He received an undergraduate degree in economics in 2009 from UAF. Currently he's working on finishing a master's degree in applied and resource economics from UAF.

Holden's mother, father and sister have all attended and worked for the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
�

The Transitions section is one of the most popular aspects of the Statewide Voice, allowing everyone an opportunity to meet new employees. However, we cannot publish information without your help. Please contact us with the name of any new employees or position changes in your department to see them listed in this section.