UAB Human Resources announces new leadership in Benefits & Wellbeing

Lisa Meddock will join UAB Human Resources as assistant vice president for Benefits and Wellbeing, effective Jan. 12, 2026. The role oversees the Benefits, Employee Assistance & Counseling Center (EACC) and Employee Wellness teams.

Meddock has more than 15 years of leadership experience, during which time she has gained a deep understanding of the design and management of benefits and wellbeing strategies for healthcare, academic and corporate environments.

Kevyn E. Merten, PhD to join UAB as Senior Associate Vice President for Research Operations

After an extensive national search, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has named Dr. Kevyn E. Merten as the Senior Associate Vice President for Research Operations, effective January 14, 2025.

Dr. Merten will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of Research (OoR). This role includes managing business operations, compliance, facilities, communications, human resources, and procurement. Reporting to the Vice President for Research (VPR), he will collaborate with the university’s leadership to implement UAB’s strategic research vision. Additionally, Dr. Merten will play a pivotal role in driving the “Growth with Purpose” initiative, leveraging his expertise in change management, process improvement, and infrastructure development.

Hedberg to join UAB as Associate Vice President for Research and Executive Director of Sponsored Programs

After an extensive national search, UAB has named Virginia M. Hedberg as the Associate Vice President for Research and Executive Director of Sponsored Programs, effective Jan. 15, 2024.

Hedberg will be responsible for leading the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) as partner to UAB’s faculty and staff in their efforts to secure and fulfill extramural support and conduct cutting-edge research and scholarship…

Houston Community College Announces New Executive Director of Facilities Services and Real Estate

Houston Community College (HCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Fernando Tezaguic as the new Executive Director of Facilities Services and Real Estate (ED FSRE), effective August 16, 2023. Tezaguic brings a wealth of experience and expertise to HCC, having previously served as the System Facilities Director at Baptist Health in Montgomery, AL, where he managed over a million square feet of clinical space, oversaw a $15 million annual budget, and led various strategic initiatives aimed at facility expansion, compliance, and operational efficiency.

With a career spanning over two decades in facilities management, contract management, real estate management, and compliance, Tezaguic is well-equipped to take on the challenges of his new role at one of the country's largest institutions of higher education…

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City (MCCKC) Announces Matt Wilkinson as Associate Vice Chancellor, Information Technology

In a strategic move to bolster its technological infrastructure and innovation, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City (MCCKC) has announced the appointment of Matthew Wilkinson as the new Associate Vice Chancellor of Information Technology, starting August 1, 2023. This key position marks a pivotal step in MCCKC's commitment to advancing its IT capabilities in support of its 10-year strategic plan.

Wilkinson brings to the role a wealth of experience and a proven track record in IT Service Management/Delivery, Infrastructure & InfoSec Management, and IT Project Management.

Houston Community College Welcomes Jacob Atkin as Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance & Accounting

Houston Community College (HCC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jacob Atkin as the new Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance & Accounting (AVCFA), effective July 3, 2023. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in financial and business operations management, Atkin brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of strategic leadership to his new role.

Atkin joins HCC from Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where he served as the Associate Vice President for Finance, overseeing various aspects of financial operations and contributing significantly to sustainable growth and development…

Montco Names Longtime Human Resources Exec Catherine Creel Halen as Chief HR Officer

The Montgomery County Commissioners have hired Catherine (Katie) Halen, an executive with 25 years of human resources experience in the healthcare industry, as the county’s new Chief Human Resources Officer.

Halen had spent most of her career with Delaware-based Beebe Healthcare, an organization with 3,000 employees — similar to the Montgomery County government’s workforce size — leaving there as senior vice president, chief human resources officer…

Knighten selected Executive Director of Talent Performance & Relations

Harvey Knighten, a UAB alumnus with more than 20 years of human resources experience, will become the new Human Resources Executive Director of Talent Performance & Relations, effective August 14, 2023.

Prior to joining the HR team at UAB, Knighten served in HR leadership roles at Hibbett Retail, Inc…