Elbert C. "Butch" Hiatt accepted the position of manager of University Mailing Services in 1987 and proved himself time and again a worthy and conscientious management professional. He retired in 2006, after nineteen years of service at Oklahoma State University.

When Butch arrived at OSU, "Central Mailing" was small and consisted of a bulk mailing service for the University and a fulfillment service for the Cooperative Extension Service. He saw the potential for growth and expansion. In 1994 he worked to combine campus mail delivery with his original area, resulting in a savings of $37K and a streamlining of services for the University. The department's name was changed to "University Mailing Services". Express delivery services were added in 1996. He then solicited competitive bids for express services and offered a centralized drop off and pick up location for express service vendors which culminated with an approximate 50% rate reduction from Federal Express and less traffic from delivery vehicles on campus. The use of a presort house and a remail service for international airmail added to a total annual savings to the University of approximately $330,000.

Butch took the lead in education and campus wide training in an effort to avoid potential pitfalls associated with the shipping and postal industries. He worked diligently to keep shipping rates and mail delivery rates as low as possible and as convenient as possible. One of his greatest accomplishments in this area has been his work with HazMat compliance. He spearheaded the drive for the University to become compliant in all areas of HazMat shipping and training. Because of this, Oklahoma State has an updated Policy and Procedures statement, and has developed programs on General Awareness Training and Diagnostic Specimen Shipping Training. Through his efforts, University Mailing Services is the recognized authority at OSU for HazMat and Export controls. OSU is a leading research University that ships and receives research materials, some of which are hazardous. These materials have been shipped in a safe and compliant manner which has kept the University from costly fines from the FAA and DOT.

When Butch took over management of University Mailing Services, there was one computer used for address maintenance. The department now has a 25-30 node in-house network. Students and classified staff use the PCs for tasks that used to be done manually. He has worked to keep the department as close to the cutting edge of technology as the budget would allow. He worked with the University's Accounting Services to become one of the first stores areas to download invoices each month, doing away with paper copies that had to be manually entered at Accounting. He kept computer programming graduate assistants busy designing ways to capture MIS data and support data for cost accounting needs. University Mailing Services now enters 9-11 digit account numbers into a mail management system by scanning barcodes to cut down on entry errors. He constantly searched for ways to capture and transfer data electronically rather than print a report and reenter.

Oklahoma State University wrote a strategic plan for the whole system. University Mailing's portion includes 5 year plans for Automation, Equipment Replacement, Training and Marketing. The key element in the Training Plan recognizes the necessity to develop promotable employees from within as Stillwater has a very limited labor pool.

Application of the Joel Barker Paradigm Shift Technique has lead to the use of voice activated mail sorting software; Peachtree Accounting software doing double duty for accounting and an inventory control platform that records daily business transactions; and, a web site that allows online work order processing.

Probably the biggest trait that Butch had in the management field was his imagination. He always asked "What if we do it this way?"; "What if we add this service?"; "What can we do to make life easier and more efficient for our customers?" His flights of fantasy broadened the "real world" of University Mailing Services at Oklahoma State University.

After retiring from OSU, Butch and his wife, Carolyn moved to Ponca City, OK. Butch spends his time volunteering, bowling, and spending time with his family - especially the four grandchildren.