Started Nov. 21, 2016

Timothy Edwards
Chif Risk Officer
Office of Risk Services

Statewide Risk Services is pleased to announce that Tim Edwards has assumed the position of Chief Risk Officer in the System Office of Risk Services in Anchorage.

Edwards brings more than 24 years experience in safety and health to the university system, having served as the occupational safety and health manager for a major Air Force Base. He had 30 years previous experience as a Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force Reserves.�

Edwards holds a Bachelors in safety and health as well as two minors in safety and social services. He is back in Alaska after serving four years in the late 1980's at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks.

Started Oct. 30, 2016

Michelle Pope
Director of HR Accounting and HR Information Systems
Statewide Human Resources

Michelle Pope has returned to Statewide to lead the human resources accounting and HR systems teams in supporting UA employees throughout the system.�

Pope was the Director of Payroll and Benefit Accounting at Statewide HR for 10 years before transferring to UAF to become the Executive Officer of the School of Natural Resources and Extension (SNRE) for the past three years.

Pope is excited to return to Statewide and work with the great people here. She's still transitioning to SWHR, only working at Statewide on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week. She will continue to work Monday and Wednesday at SNRE until a replacement is found.

Pope was born in Oakland, CA, and raised all over United States, living the majority of time in Georgia. Prior to coming to Fairbanks, her family lived in Piedmont, Alabama. They moved to Fairbanks in December of 2003 when she accepted the job at SWHR.�

She studied for a time at Brigham Young University then took a break to do missionary work in Southeastern France.� Pope returned to complete Bachelors of Business Administration at Mercer University in Georgia. Pope also attended UAF where she earned a Masters of Business Administration.

Pope and her husband have been married for 25 years. They have two boys age 21 and 17.� They have both been active in the Lathrop Ballroom Dance Team as well as Boy Scouts. Their activities have kept everyone very busy.� This year, they have an exchange student from Dresden, Germany living with them, which all have really enjoyed.

June 26, 2016

Erika Pierce
Sr. Systems Analyst
Statewide Human Resources

Erika Pierce comes to Statewide Human Resources as the senior systems analyst. She comes well prepared for the position having been the systems and records manager for human resources at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Additionaly she has experience as an HR supervisor for Olgoonik Development, and HR generalist for the Southcentral Foundation.

Pierce was born and raised in Anchorage, but spent most of her time growing up in Seward and Soldotna. Currently, she lives in Meadow Lakes, 55 miles north of Anchorage. She will be working from Anchorage.

Pierce went to college at both Alaska Pacific University and UAA and earned a Bachelors of Art in organizational management.

Pierce and her husband have three rambunctious wonders who keep them busy. They spend as much time outdoors with extended family going hiking, camping, and fishing as possible. Additionally Pierce has a green belt in Lean Six Sigma.� When she finds a spare minute, she's usually sewing, quilting or enjoying a new book.�

Started October 10, 2016

Chanda File
Administrative Assistant
Office of University Relations and Office of Public Affairs

Chanda File has joined the Office of Public Affairs and Office of University Relations as an Administrative Assistant. In her role, she provides assistance to both offices, the AVP of Public Affairs, the AVP of Government Relations, and the Vice President of University Relations.

Before joining UA, Chanda worked for the Alaska State Legislature in the office of Representative Adam Wool. Prior to that, she worked as an elementary school tutor, managed two local political campaigns and interned in the office of former U.S. Senator Mark Begich.

A lifelong Alaskan raised in North Pole, Chanda graduated from UAF in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. In her spare time, she enjoys running, skiing, reading, observing Alaska politics, and spending time with family and her three dogs.

Started Nov. 21

Elaine Maine
Office Manager
Office of Risk Services

Please join Risk Services in welcoming Elaine Main back to Statewide.� Main, the former administrative assistant for the vice president of finance and Butrovich building manager,� moved to Anchorage last year to work at the UAA Justice Center. While she enjoyed her time assisting faculty and students she's very happy to be back with Statewide!

Main returns as the office manager for the System Office of Risk Services in Anchorage.