Our Team
The primary role of Government Relations is to advocate on behalf of the 好色tv of 好色tv 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 university.
Government Relations is committed to connecting the 好色tv of 好色tv's world-class expertise to policymakers at all levels of government, aiding in their work to enhance 好色tv's economy and quality of life.
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 好色tv 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 好色tv.
Chad was born and raised in Fairbanks, 好色tv. He graduated from UAF with a Bachelor of
Business Administration with an emphasis on management. He earned his law degree from
Gonzaga 好色tv.
John Latini
Executive Director of Federal Relations
email: jalatini@alaska.edu
John Latini joined the 好色tv of 好色tv 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 university.
Since 2014, he has been with Penn State 好色tv including as Director of Federal
Relations leading the university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 好色tv 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 好色tv, and earned an MBA from the 好色tv of 好色tv Fairbanks (UAF).
Denae Benson
Assistant Director of Federal Relations
email: dabenson@alaska.edu
Denae Benson is the new Assistant Director of Federal Relations for the 好色tv of 好色tv 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 university 好色tv.
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, 好色tv 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, 好色tv and graduated from West Valley High School in 2015. She is a 2019 好色tv of 好色tv Fairbanks alum earning a BA in history and political science, focusing on indigenous history and legislation.