San Francisco State UniversityWeb A-ZFind it Fast

 
July 2004 STAR of the Month
 

Photo of Paul Alires

Paul Alires' official job title may be senior benefits analyst, but "matchmaker" might be a more suitable designation. As the Human Resources staff person who works with faculty and staff on their retirement plans and benefits, he works to link up the plans and needs of University employees with the best options available to them. Alires is the July STAR of the Month.

Planning for retirement is not an easy thing for most people. It's not something they necessarily want to think about. And the options and requirements and regulations can be very confusing. Alires understands all this and approaches his job with patience and calm.

"It's easy to get lost in all the information," he said. "Many times people will come in and not know what they are really asking. I try to help them ask the right questions. I try to make it simple and clear so that people can make good decisions."

Alires conducts workshops, does individual counseling and processes applications. He works closely with state agencies (such as CalPERS) to make sure his information is up-to-date and correct. He also works with employees who have long-term disability issues -- situations that can be quite complex and sensitive.

"Paul's depth and breadth of knowledge of retirement and disability programs, his sense of humor and commitment to ensuring employees have the information they need to make informed decisions are the cornerstones of his reputation," said Marcia Allsopp, manager of benefits and professional development.

After graduating from University of Utah in social work and serving in Vietnam, Alires moved to San Francisco to look for work. He then applied graduate school, was accepted at University of Michigan, and took a temporary job working at the J. Paul Leonard Library to save for school. The one-year appointment turned into three years, and then Alires gained the attention of an assistant personnel director who was impressed with his sales techniques (Alires sold cleaning products during his work breaks and after hours to help supplement his income) and invited him to apply for a job in the personnel department.

More than 30 years later, Alires is still with Human Resources. And he still loves it.

"It is a great place," he said. "It's been a good career for me."

A resident of the Glen Park area of San Francisco, Alires is an avid collector of music. He is fond of classical and jazz, but his real passion is the pop music of the 1960s, the era he grew up in.

Please join us in congratulating Paul and thank him for making such a difference.

As the STAR of the Month, Alires will enjoy four free lunches on campus, a free parking pass or equivalent in one month's public transportation costs, and more. He will also be eligible for the STAR of the Year award.


San Francisco State University Home     Search     Need Help?    

1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132    (415) 338-1111
Last modified July 16, 2004, by the Office of Public Affairs