Rogers named UAF's interim chancellor
Published Friday, April 25, 2008
Longtime Fairbanks resident and businessman Brian Rogers was named interim chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks today, according to a news release from the university.
University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton said Rogers, a former UA regent, system vice president and state representative, will assume duties July 1. Until then, Rogers will work with outgoing Chancellor Steve Jones and UAF staff to ensure a smooth transition. Jones recently announced that he's leaving the position after four years to be closer to children and grandchildren in the Lower 48.
Rogers, 57, is a former UAF student who attended Trinity College and Brown University before receiving his master's degree in public administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He served four years in the state House and eight years on the UA Board of Regents, three as chair. In addition he served seven years as the system's finance vice president, working with individual campuses and the statewide administration. In 1996, he formed Information Insights Inc. with several other partners, serving as principal consultant and chief financial officer. The company has offices in Fairbanks and Anchorage.
Hamilton said a two-year period is necessary to ensure the interim chancellor can fully focus on the 2010 budget process, already under way. It also allows for flexibility to conduct a national search, a process that can take up to a year to complete.
Rogers said he's excited to serve an institution he's been involved with now for four decades. He said he intends to solicit ideas and involvement from faculty, staff, students and the communities UAF serves.
"I'll rely heavily on UAF's outstanding faculty to ensure we maintain our high standards in research, teaching and public service," Rogers said in the release. "UAF is a complex enterprise, with an amazing diversity of faculty and staff. I plan to work with these groups to ensure we receive the financial and community support needed for the quality education and work force training our students deserve. Our state, nation and world also depend on the important research conducted here, in a wide variety of disciplines, including energy and global climate change, the biological sciences and many other areas specific to the circumpolar north."
Rogers is a member of numerous community organizations including the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, Fairbanks Downtown Rotary and many others. The interim chancellor position pays $262,000 annually.
Community Discussion
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Finally...a chancellor who knows Fairbanks as well as the State of Alaska inside and out, and understands how the UAF campus fits into the State's higher education system. This is an excellent move. Congratulations Brian!
Only $262,000? I hope he got a good benefit package cause its going to be hard to live on that.
I wonder how many UA contract Information Insights has currently and will get now that he runs both
hckywtchr...you obviously don't know Brian. He is one of the most ethical people you would ever meet. That's an unfortunate cheap shot.
Yeah ethical...that's why he's going to UAF. Wasn't Jim Hayes a regent at UAF. In any other state UAF would be considered a community college...a really really expensive community college.
Information Insights will be ineligible to hold new contracts with UAF while I am interim chancellor.
The company has a current contract with a UAF research institute, working on a review of the Alaska Marine Highway System.
The company also has two contracts with UA statewide. One is with UA statewide land management which will terminate because I am the principal consultant working on the project. The other is to support logistics for and facilitate the upcoming Conference of Young Alaskans, which will continue without my involvement as a consultant.
Over the past 5 years, UA contracts have totalled less than 5 percent of Information Insights' total company revenue.
-Brian Rogers
Note: the "anonymous" header to this posting is because I just registered this username and the News-Miner has not yet called to verify it's me.
Congratulations to Mr. Rogers for the appointment, and to UAF for selecting a man whohas had such long, effective ivolvement and leadership at UA. I fully expect him to be the best chancellor we have had since Pat O'Rourke.
So i assume that Mister. Rogers (somehow a very fitting name for a UAF chancelor) will be giving up his responsibilities at his company or are we hiring a part-time chancelor who makes $250K
BrianRogers,
Thank you for answering the good questions that cranky people have posed. I have no real knowledge of you, but technically as I am a UAF employee, you are my new boss. Congrats on the appointment & I hope you prove well suited. The one thing many people, including the Staff Council, wanted was an Alaskan in this position. Hopefully you will be a good fit.
Posted in response to BigMike:
Yes, I will be leaving Information Insights, ending all responsibilities as a consultant there, while I am interim chancellor.
Brian Rogers
Brian - Honest questions and honest answers. I will give you credit and take back my cynical comments. Good luck on the new position.
NewsMiner - If you asked some questions in the first place when you report these things, "cranky" people like me wouldn't make (as many) cynical comments.
Congratulations, Brian, on your appointment. After having worked with you before and knowing your commitment to higher education and public service, I know UAF will benefit and grow. I also hope you and the Board of Regents consider you as a permanent chancellor.
-Frank Spargo
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