ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CHIEF FOR UAF NAMED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 1999

Fairbanks, Alaska - Arctic Region Supercomputing Center Director Frank Williams has been named Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He replaces Michael Rice, who retired last June as UAF's chief financial officer and head of the administrative services. Williams has been interim vice chancellor since Rice's departure last year.

As vice chancellor for administrative services, Williams will be responsible for UAF's budget, business operations, purchasing, personnel, fire and public safety departments, and management of the largest state-owned physical plant in Alaska.

"Dr. Williams brings the right strengths to the position at a time when we continue to face a growing range of financial challenges," said UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow, who appointed Williams to the post following a strong recommendation by the search committee charged with reviewing potential candidates for the position.

"He is an ideal selection given his understanding of the central mission of UAF for teaching, research and public service coupled with his extensive university experience," Wadlow said. "Dr. Williams has proven his ability to solve problems, make tough choices and take action to increase our opportunities for partnerships and funding."

Williams came to UAF in 1992 as dean of engineering from the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, where he was chair of the Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, before that, he was with General Motors Research Laboratories in Michigan.

In response to program assessment recommendations, Williams consolidated and assumed several administrative roles at UAF over the past five years, including director of the Institute of Northern Engineering and the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center, and interim vice chancellor for administrative services. Although Williams will no longer direct activities at the northern engineering institute, he will continue a working relationship with the supercomputing center.

Williams earned his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University in 1968 and his master's and doctoral degrees from Stanford University in 1970 and 1973, respectively. His continuing research interests lie in the area of energy utilization.

While serving as interim vice chancellor, Williams has served as a key negotiator in advancing the $42 million Low Rank Coal Water Fuel project at UAF, working with private and public agencies. In addition, he has implemented a consolidation of the design, construction, utilities and physical plant services under one facilities department director, is the founding representative to the UA Internet2/University Corp. for Advanced Internet Development project and a member of the bargaining team that negotiated the first contract between the faculty union United Academics and the University of Alaska.

"I'm ready for the challenges that are facing UAF," Williams said. "UAF's strength is its ability to continually meet the needs of the state. I'm eager to build on existing successes to take the institution into the next millennium."

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CONTACT: UAF Public Information Officer Debra Damron (907) 474-7122.

DPD/2-9-99/99-048