Contact UA Procurement

Main Procurement & Contract Services Contacts

Main Phone Line: (907) 474-7315

Main Email Address: ua-pcs-main@alaska.edu

UA ProCard and Travel Card Questions: ua-Card-main@alaska.edu

Requisition Backup Submission: ua-pcs-backup@alaska.edu

Mailing Address
University of Alaska
Procurement & Contract Services
PO Box 757940
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7940

Physical Address
Procurement & Contract Services
University of Alaska

Butrovich Building
2025 Yukon Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99775

Procurement & Contract Services Staff

Kara Axx

Chief Procurement and Risk Officer

kaaxx@alaska.edu | 907-474-6018

I am a lifelong Alaskan who moved up to Fairbanks to attend UAF. I started working at UAF as a student assistant and rolled into a full time employee as I completed my bachelor's degree, and have been an employee ever since. I love traveling around Alaska, collecting salmon as I go...but I also like to leave Alaska now and again for warmer beaches!

Denise Caissie

Director of Procurement Operations

dlcaissie@alaska.edu | 907-474-7374

I have lived in Alaska since 1973 when my family moved here with the military. I attended school in Fairbanks, including UAF, and raised my own family here. I really enjoy traveling, and more recently, attending concerts, which helps supply me with ample photos for my other hobby, scrapbooking.

Carson Davis

Compliance and Contract Specialist

crdavis4@alaska.edu | 907-786-1341

I am originally from the east coast, and I graduated from Pitt with a BA. I moved to Alaska in 2008, and graduated from UAA with an MBA. I started my UA Procurement career as a Purchasing Agent while enrolled at UAA, and I also held the titles of Contracting Officer and Senior Contracting Officer before becoming Associate Director. My interests include all things outdoors, flying, reading and barbecue.

Maren Savage

Training and Development Coordinator

mosavage@alaska.edu | 907-474-7182

I have been with the University of Alaska for 25 years, almost exclusively working with federal funds. I have specialized in Government Contracting both incoming and outgoing funds. I received my Undergrad at UAF while working and raising my family. I am happy to call Fairbanks my home and enjoy spending the summers outside in my garden.

Wanda Bezona

Contracting Officer

wrbezona@alaska.edu | 907-474-6563

My family and I moved back to Alaska in 2005 at which time I started working for the University. UAF provided me the opportunity to earn my associate degree in applied accounting while I worked. We raised our three sons and are now proud grandparents of two grandsons. My passion is woodworking. I enjoy creating my own designs or taking woodworking plans and giving them a twist.

John Ellis Jr

Contracting Officer

jeellis2@alaska.edu | 907-786-6516

I am originally from Wyoming, I wanted to move to Alaska at the age of 12. I moved to Alaska at the age of 36. I have worked in the area of procurement for over 30 years (20 years as a warranted federal contracting officer and 10 years with the University of Alaska).
I am a Harley Davidson enthusiast; I also enjoy photography and other outside activities.

Seb Hathaway

Procurement Administrator & Executive Assistant

mrhathaway2@alaska.edu | 907-474-7315

I have lived in Alaska since 1999 and this state has been my first and only home, and I don't plan on having that change anytime soon. I have worked for the University of Alaska for a year now as the Procurement Administrator and Executive assistant. I enjoy any sort of creative activity, writing and drawing being the biggest, and playing video games in my spare time with friends.

Michael Houlihan

Senior Contracting Officer

mhouliha@alaska.edu | 907-786-6504

I’m a northern Wisconsin transplant to Alaska, calling this my home for over 40 years. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point way back in 1980 /Go Pointers! I love all Alaska has to offer and am most at home when I’m outside enjoying this great State.

Andy McDonough

Contracting Officer

acmcdonough@alaska.edu | 907-474-2778

I was born and raised in Northern Maine and enlisted in the Army after high school. I was stationed at Fort Wainwright in 1995 and stayed in Fairbanks after leaving the Army in 1999. I spent 23 years in Fairbanks continuing my Federal Service as a Civilian. I now live in a small town in Western NH and enjoy fishing, hunting, hiking and exploring New England.

Chelsey Okonek

Contracting Officer

cjokonek@alaska.edu | 907-474-6471

I grew up in a military family and moved to Alaska in 1995, where I’ve lived ever since. I earned my BBA from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2012, my MBA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2022, and I’ve worked for the University of Alaska since 2020. My family and I live in Wasilla, where we enjoy spending time outdoors, fishing, hunting, and exploring the beauty of our great state, especially on the lake.

Emmili Penn

Procurement and Card Services Officer

ecpenn@alaska.edu | 907-474-6831

I grew up in and spent most of my life in Southern California tromping around the deserts. I have a BS in Geology with emphasis in GIS. I have been working in the Procurement field since 2017. I love to travel and explore, which is how I came to fall in love with the beauty of Alaska. I am a newbie to Alaska, but enjoying every single minute of it. During my off time, I enjoy taking my dog on exploration missions, reading, or watching Star Trek.

Marina Vitt

Procurement and Card Services Officer

mivitt@alaska.edu | 907-786-6507

I have lived in Alaska since 2012. I moved to attend UAA and graduated with BA in logistics and supply chain management. I also have a masters in international relations. I have worked at the university since 2014 in enrollment services and land management departments. I joined the procurement team in 2016 as an intern and have stayed since then. I enjoy working for the university aiming our main mission! I love having fun with my kids and my husband doing all the outdoorsy things Alaska has to offer.