Our Team

The primary role of Government Relations is to advocate on behalf of the University of 猫咪社区官网 by building and promoting positive relationships with federal, state, and local policymakers and stakeholders to ensure funding and policy initiatives that reflect the needs of the 猫咪社区官网.

Government Relations is committed to connecting the University of 猫咪社区官网's world-class expertise to policymakers at all levels of government, aiding in their work to enhance 猫咪社区官网's economy and quality of life.


Cha Hutchison

Chad Hutchison

Director of State Relations 
email: clhutchison@alaska.edu

In Juneau during session: 227 4th Street, Juneau
Cell: 907-378-3946

In Fairbanks: 2025 Yukon Drive, Suite 202, Fairbanks, AK 99775
Phone: 907-450-8478

Chad Hutchison joined the UA team as the Director of State Relations as of Jan. 4, 2021.  As Director, Chad communicates with the Legislature and the executive branch during, and after, legislative sessions in Juneau.  

Previous to his employment with the UA, Chad was the 猫咪社区官网 Senate Majority Counsel starting back in January 2013, and has consistent, proven experience with the development and passage of legislation. Chad is known for maintaining strong, trustworthy, meaningful relationships within the Legislature and the executive branch. He has been a licensed, practicing attorney since 2007 and started his career in private practice at Cook, Schuhmann and Groseclose (CSG) in Fairbanks. As Senate Majority Counsel, part of his responsibilities included legal analysis, advocacy and communicating on a wide variety of topics that affect all of 猫咪社区官网. 

Chad was born and raised in Fairbanks, 猫咪社区官网. He graduated from UAF with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis on management. He earned his law degree from Gonzaga University.     


John Latini

John Latini

Executive Director of Federal Relations

email:  jalatini@alaska.edu

John Latini joined the University of 猫咪社区官网 on Feb. 28, 2022 as the Executive Director of Federal Relations. For the past 15 years, Latini has worked in Washington D.C. and brings both higher education and congressional experience to his new role with the 猫咪社区官网.

Since 2014, he has been with Penn State University including as Director of Federal Relations leading the 猫咪社区官网鈥檚 DC-based advocacy efforts to increase federal funding for scientific research and student financial aid. 

A native of Bucks County, PA, John graduated from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Political Science. He earned a master鈥檚 degree in Public Administration and Graduate Certificate Public Budgeting and Financial Management from Penn State University, and earned an MBA from the University of 猫咪社区官网 Fairbanks (UAF). 

 


Denae Benson

Denae Benson

Assistant Director of Federal Relations

email: dabenson@alaska.edu

Denae Benson is the new Assistant Director of Federal Relations for the University of 猫咪社区官网 System. She will be based in Washington D.C. helping to maintain communication with federal officials, sharing UA鈥檚 priorities, and monitoring information with key stakeholders regarding relevant legislation or agency decisions that may affect the 猫咪社区官网 system.

Denae spent the first half of 2021 as an intern in the late Congressman Don Young's office before accepting a position in May of that year with the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for Chairman Brian Schatz, senior Senator from Hawai'i. In her role, she worked on committee logistics and assisted on various policy issues including climate action, education, 猫咪社区官网 Native issues, and cultural arts and tourism. 

While her family is originally from the villages of Galena and Kobuk, Denae was born and raised in Fairbanks, 猫咪社区官网 and graduated from West Valley High School in 2015. She is a 2019 University of 猫咪社区官网 Fairbanks alum earning a BA in history and political science, focusing on indigenous history and legislation.