Administrative Vice Chancellor Jack Powazek to Retire in June 2015

UCLA Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

To:   Academic Senate Leadership, Administrative Officers, Deans, Department Chairs, Directors, Vice Chancellors and Vice Provosts

Dear Colleagues:

Administrative Vice Chancellor Jack Powazek has informed Chancellor Block and me of his plans to retire at the end of June 2015. For more than 40 years, Jack has been a tireless champion for UCLA. His vision and leadership have had a profound impact on almost every aspect of UCLA’s administrative operations and community. His accomplishments reflect the broad range of campus functions for which he has been responsible.

Jack has been a strong leader in campus efforts in energy and water conservation as well as sustainability. Under his direction, the efficient operation of the extensive campus cooling system, anchored by the co-generation plant, and the implementation of more than 100 energy conservation projects have resulted in millions of dollars of annual savings in purchased utilities costs. These accomplishments have led to a current UCLA carbon footprint that is very close to its 1990 level despite the growth in campus research activity, as well as a more than 50 percent increase in building square footage over the last 25 years. Jack also focused on the expansion and refinement of alternative transportation programs that significantly reduced campus trips and the vehicle drive-alone rate for employees to 50 percent.

In the critical area of campus safety and security, Jack was instrumental in the development of the UCLA emergency response plan, the upgrade of the Emergency Operations Center, the implementation of BruinAlert, the implementation of the new UCPD computer-aided dispatch system and the enhancement of the laboratory safety program. Under his leadership, the campus data center was upgraded and hardened and the transfer of campus email systems to the cloud paradigm was initiated.

Jack was heavily involved in the recent completion of several on- and off-campus student housing construction projects, which continued the transformation of UCLA from a commuter to a residential campus. Additionally, he directed the acquisition of properties for faculty and student housing as well as other uses for the campus. He has not only been actively involved in the design and construction of the Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference and Guest Center but also in the planning process for its operation starting in 2016.

He serves on the UC-wide UCPath Executive Leadership Team, and he established the UCPath Project Management Office to manage and coordinate UCLA’s implementation of the new UC-wide payroll and personnel system. In addition, Jack has been very involved in the Westwood community; he serves as vice chair of and UCLA’s representative on the Westwood Village Improvement Association Board of Directors.

Jack began his UCLA career in 1974 as an organizational consultant in what was then called “Staff Personnel.” After successive promotions, he was appointed manager of compensation and benefits in 1984 and director of facilities management in 1987. Ten years later, he was appointed assistant vice chancellor for facilities management, a role that was expanded in subsequent years to include transportation, UCPD, and environment, health and safety. He was appointed associate vice chancellor for general services in 2008 and administrative vice chancellor in 2011.

Soon, I will form a search committee to identify candidates for Jack’s successor, and I will keep you informed as we initiate the search.

As we continue our work with Jack throughout the academic year, we will have ample time and opportunities to thank him for his commitment, leadership and dedicated service to UCLA. Please join me in congratulating and thanking him for his superb service to UCLA and strong record of accomplishment.

Sincerely,

Scott L. Waugh
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost