Aug. 31, 2012: Facilities farewells two stellar performers

Friday, Aug. 31, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Gorsuch Commons, Room 106

Chris Mizelle's and Mike Halko's last day of work is this Friday, Aug. 31. Both have contributed differently but significantly to UAA. The farewell party is at the Commons, room 106--Hawaiian theme--from 11:30 a.m. to about 1 p.m. If you can't make lunch, come on by for cake and a small ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Both Chris and Mike are working this week; if you cannot make it to lunch or the ceremony give them a call: Chris at (907) 786-6995; Mike (907) 786-1386.

Chris Mizelle has served UAA for 28 years. He started as a janitor and worked his way up to director of Facilities Operations and Maintenance. He has had a hand in virtually everything to do with Facilities Operations: snow plowing, volcano ash removal, union negotiations as a union officer; union negotiations as a Facilities supervisor; lawn work, grounds work, tree planting, transportation system changes; equipment salvage; and new equipment procurement, review of new construction, oversight of supporting contracts. There isn't much on this campus he hasn't touched and improved. Chris has treated UAA as if it were his own. He is a valued member of the Facilities leadership team. He participates daily with the building managers and campus users, is a member of the Campus Safety Committee and is an essential member of any campus emergency response. Chris has done a superb job and will be missed.

Mike Halko has been here for about five years. Mike served for two years as the director and three as the deputy for Environmental Health and Safety and Risk Management. Mike has expanded the EHS/RM staff and activities to be more actively engaged in campus events and operations. He and his staff have engaged on all levels to keep safety a primary thought for staff, faculty and students. He has worked and resourced projects that improve the overall campus safety infrastructure. He re-established the safety orientation for new employees and supervisors, invigorated the nighttime safety walk and brought internationally renowned lab safety expert Robert Kauffman to campus for a campus-wide lab safety workshop. Mike has been a valuable member of our Emergency Management planning and response team and has made improvements in our relationship with Statewide EHS/RM. Mike has made campus more EHS/RM responsive and safer. Mike has done a good job and will be missed.