Our Team
The primary role of Government Relations is to advocate on behalf of the University of Alaska 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 University of Alaska's world-class expertise to policymakers at all levels of government, aiding in their work to enhance Alaska'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 Alaska 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 Alaska.
Chad was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. He graduated from UAF with a Bachelor of
Business Administration with an emphasis on management. He earned his law degree from
Gonzaga University.
Katie McCall
Government Relations Manager
email: kemccall@alaska.edu
Katie McCall joined the University of Alaska in November 2024 as the Government Relations
Manager. Primarily based in Anchorage, Katie helps support the UA team’s advocacy efforts at the state level, which includes communicating and working closely with the Legislature and the administration on UA priorities during the annual legislative session in Juneau.
Prior to joining the university, Katie worked as a staffer in the Alaska Legislature
beginning in 2020, managing leadership offices in both the House and Senate, as well
as assisting with the budget development process in the House Finance Committee. Katie’s
career as a legislative staffer immediately followed her participation in the Senator
Ted Stevens Legislative Internship Program, which was instrumental in laying the groundwork
for the many strong, positive relationships she has within the Legislature and executive
branch. Her previous experience
instilled the importance of connection and collaboration, and she brings that same
approach to her role with UA.
Katie is a lifelong Alaskan and was raised in Palmer. She graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage, earning a BA in Political Science with a minor in Economics.
John Latini
Executive Director of Federal Relations
email: jalatini@alaska.edu
John Latini joined the University of Alaska 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 University including as Director of Federal
Relations leading the university’s 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’s degree in Political Science. He earned a master’s degree in Public Administration and Graduate Certificate Public Budgeting and Financial Management from Penn State University, and earned an MBA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).
Shelby Beck
Assistant Director of Federal Relations
email: smbeck3@alaska.edu
Shelby Beck joined the University of Alaska in September 2026 as the Assistant Director of Federal Relations. Based in Washington, D.C., Shelby serves as a liaison between the University of Alaska, the Alaska congressional delegation, and federal agencies - monitoring national trends, managing legislative inquiries, and advancing UA’s strategic priorities.
Prior to joining UA and following her graduation from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Shelby worked for University of Florida’s Office of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C. While there, Shelby worked to support the University of Florida’s federal advocacy efforts through routine interactions with the Florida congressional delegation, managing appropriations timelines and submissions, coordinating faculty engagement with Congress and federal agencies, organizing high-profile events, and overseeing the university’s D.C. internship program.
Shelby is published as a co-author in Journal of Environmental Management for her undergraduate research aligning resource sustainability with economic policy to advance balanced regional growth. Her background also includes environmental policy and research internships with the Orange County Commissioner’s Office, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Geological Survey NAS; she first arrived in D.C. on a Sea Grant policy sponsorship.
Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Shelby spent most of her childhood on hockey skates and hiking Red Rock Canyon with her family.