Loftin-Morris and Ashworth Promoted to Senior Directors in Facilities Management

Facilities Management has promoted Heather Loftin-Morris and Richard Ashworth to senior director roles.

Loftin-Morris, senior director of business, fiscal and support services, provides executive leadership over financial, administrative, operational and technical functions, ensuring effective stewardship of more than $115 million annually. 

She oversees budgeting, accounting, procurement, HR coordination, technology systems and operational support across multiple facilities functions, while managing a team and workforce of nearly 400 positions.

Loftin-Morris joined the U of A in 2022 and has over 25 years of experience leading operational and financial strategy across complex, matrixed organizations. 

Over the last more than three years, she has identified unmet needs, developed scalable solutions and delivered measurable outcomes while demonstrating success in leading cross-functional teams, managing external partnerships and transforming large volumes of data into enterprise-level, decision-making tools.  

Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Services Clayton Hamilton recognized Loftin-Morris' significant contributions to Facilities Management since her hire.

"Heather has provided important leadership and service to the Facilities department and continues to take on additional responsibilities and make essential contributions to the university in her expanded leadership role," Hamilton said.

Ashworth, senior director of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, provides strategic and operational leadership for the university's comprehensive ENHS program, ensuring the health and safety of faculty, staff and students while protecting the environment. 

He joined the U of A in 2017 as the director of environmental health and safety and has accumulated over 42 years of experience leading organizations as a subject matter expert in multiple complex fields with increasing levels of responsibility.  

In his current role, Ashworth oversees campus-wide programs related to fire and life safety, hazardous materials, occupational health, regulatory compliance, emergency response and risk management in support of the university's education, research and operational activities and strategic goals. 

He also serves as the university's primary liaison with regulatory agencies, first responders, senior leadership, safety committees and the Emergency Operations Center.

Ashworth has spent the last nine years skillfully developing a strategic vision which has translated high-level goals into measurable objectives and performance metrics, growing his team to support the increasing complexity of U of A research and campus growth. 

Hamilton is excited for Ashworth to receive this recognition.

"Richard's superb leadership, knowledge, dedication and drive have been instrumental in ensuring the campus operations and research are performed in a safe and effective manner and in compliance with environmental health standards in support of more complex research," Hamilton said.

These promotions are designed to bolster leadership capabilities over campus environmental health, safety, development, maintenance, services and long-term infrastructure planning.