System Office of Risk Services
Julie Baecker
Chief Risk Officer
Julie C. Baecker, ARM, AIC, has been with the Risk Management office since 1979. She provides leadership and strategic direction for the University of Alaska’s core risk management infrastructure. She is responsible for and coordinates the development and implementation of system wide programs and standards including enterprise risk management, environmental health and safety, insurance, claims management, emergency preparedness, business continuity, and loss prevention in accordance with federal and state statutes and regulations, procedures and responsible risk management practices. This position is located in Fairbanks.
Yvonne Boyce
Claims Adjuster
Yvonne Boyce has handled multi-line claims for the University’s self-insured claims program since 2000. This position provides a means to stabilize and minimize the cost of risk to the University through investigation, management and settlement of first and third party claims. Ms. Boyce is also responsible for informal training in claims and risk management processes for members of the University community, and for supervision of the Fairbanks support staff. This position is located in Fairbanks.
Emergency Preparedness Director
As the first director of Emergency Preparedness, he is charged with leading and facilitating the planning and execution of emergency management, business continuity & resumption as well as pandemic preparedness. He is also working to develop partnerships and collaborative efforts with state, local and federal agencies to advance the university’s capability to provide leadership, direction and instructional support for Alaska.This position is located in Fairbanks.
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Rick Forkel assists the campuses across the state in creating building specific emergency evacuation plans and campus emergency response plans. He will also assist in providing the training and certification requirements needed for campus points of contact and aid in the development and execution of on campus and university system exercises. This position is located in Fairbanks.
Risk Manager
Kari has been Risk Manager at the University of Alaska since 2007. She is responsible for performing program risk assessments including review of contracts for risk transfer issues. She maintains communication with staff at all organizational levels to advise on insurance and risk control measures and develop comprehensive information on risk exposures system wide. She also helps to develop and update safety/risk management guidelines and procedures. Kari assists with the development and presentation of training, education materials and programs on safety/risk management to integrate these concepts and practices into everyday campus activities and operations. This position is located in Fairbanks.
Dell Gunter
Claims Technician
The claims technician provides administrative support for the claims section and is often the first point of contact for claim reporting. Ms. Gunter is a general claims information resource for campuses and other University customers and is responsible for accurate and timely claims processing and data analysis. This position is located in Anchorage.
Tina Holland
Environmental Health & Safety Technician
Ms. Holland's responsibilities include the management of Environmental Health and Safety/Risk Management Programs and the development and implementation of statewide safety training. She is the system administrator for Intelex, an Environmental and Safety Management System. Ms. Holland is responsible for new employee orientation and is the point of contact for the statewide ergonomics program. She also assists in conducting, planning and execution of operational inspections for the Compliance Assistance and Assurance Program and Loss Prevention Assistance Program. This position is located in Fairbanks.
Randy Pommenville
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Randy assists the Director of Emergency Preparedness in the development and implementation of emergency preparedness processes and programs for UAF and associated campuses.
He served 11 years in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard at Eielson AFB, AK as a Fire Protection Specialist and Disaster Preparedness Specialist. Randy received formal technical training while serving in the US Air Force and Alaska Air National Guard and attended the USAF Fire Protection School in 1986 and attended the USAF Disaster Preparedness school in 1993 as well as the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Agents Course in 1993. Randy also earned a degree in Municipal Fire Control through UAF (94) and a degree in Disaster Preparedness through the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) (94). He has many certificates of training that relate directly to emergency response and emergency planning. This position is located in Fairbanks.
Amaya Spencer
Claims Technician
Ms. Spencer's responsibilities are to provide administrative support for the Risk Management Office and ensure timely and accurate claims processing and data analysis. This position is located in Fairbanks.
Ron Swartz
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Lt. Ron Swartz serves as the emergency preparedness coordinator for the main UAA campus and its affiliated rural and community campuses. Lt. Swartz accepted a three-year term position with the System Office of Risk Services. He works with various departments at UAA to update their emergency operations plan for the campus and to conduct training and exercises supporting the current plan and about their roles in an emergency. Lt. Swartz also coordinates with community agencies and hospitals in the Anchorage area.
Lt. Swartz has served 10 years with the UAA police department and nine years with the State University of New York (SUNY) police force. He grew up in mountainous upstate New York and has served on a volunteer fire department emergency rescue squad, and participated in emergency preparedness efforts in NY. Lt. Swartz earned an associate degree in criminal justice from SUNY and is currently working on a justice degree at UAA. This position is located in Anchorage.
Brenda Vannoy
Claims Adjuster
Brenda Vannoy, AIC, has been with Risk Services since 1994 and handles multi-line claims for the University’s self-insured claims program. This position provides a means to stabilize and minimize the cost of risk to the University through investigation, management and settlement of first and third party claims. Ms. Vannoy is also responsible for informal training in claims and risk management processes for members of the University community, and for supervision of the Anchorage support staff. This position is located in Anchorage.
Patti Wilson
Claims Manager
Ms. Wilson manages the University’s self-insured claims program, including auto liability property, and worker’s compensation claims. Her responsibilities include supervision of claims adjusters and support staff in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The claims manager also acts as a claims information resource to the UA community. This position is located Anchorage.
Carla Yurkovich
Risk Management Analyst
Ms. Yurkovich has been with the university since 1981. Ms. Yurkovich manages the university’s special risk insurance programs, notary public program, and provides contract review and management services. She also performs extensive research and collects program information pertinent to the risk management program for risk analysis and insurance specification purposes. This position is located in Fairbanks.
Amy O'Sullivan
Administrative Assistant
Ms. O'Sullivan provides office support to the System Office of Risk Services' Fairbanks and Anchorage offices. This position is located in Fairbanks.
