Appointment of Michael J. Beck as Administrative Vice Chancellor

UCLA Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

To: Administrative Officers, Deans, Department Chairs, Directors, Vice Chancellors, Vice Provosts, and Staff in the UCLA Administration Division

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Michael J. Beck as Administrative Vice Chancellor, effective March 1, 2016.

Mr. Beck has served as city manager for the City of Pasadena since October 2008. With responsibility for the overall operation of the city’s government and an annual operating budget of approximately $685 million, he manages 14 departments within the city, including finance, fire, housing and career services, human resources, human services and recreation, information technology, libraries and information services, planning and community development, police, public health, public works, transportation, and water and power. Some of Mr. Beck’s accomplishments include developing a five-year fiscal plan to reverse a structural operating deficit; leading an economic development strategic planning effort, which resulted in the creation of Innovate Pasadena – a non-profit organization committed to advancing the greater Pasadena area as a leading center of innovation for technology and design; developing and implementing a funding solution for a $150 million unfunded pension liability; championing capital investment appropriations of $670 million for renovations to public facilities, infrastructure and equipment, including the $182 million Rose Bowl renovation project; managing the emergency response of a devastating windstorm in late 2011; implementing a strategic planning process for the city; championing a corporate culture focused on customer service and responsiveness; and increasing the use of technology to better serve the community.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Beck served as assistant city manager (2004-08) and deputy city manager (2001-04) for the City of Riverside, where he was responsible for creating the funding strategy for the $1.8 billion Riverside Renaissance infrastructure initiative. From 1987 to 2001, he worked at UC Riverside in different capacities, including director of economic development and real estate services and director of new initiatives and special programs. Mr. Beck is president of the California chapter of the International City/County Management Association, and he serves on committees for the League of California Cities. He received a B.A. in business economics and an MBA from UC Riverside.

With senior management responsibility for a broad spectrum of administrative, operational and service units that comprise the UCLA Administration Division, Mr. Beck will be responsible for developing policy, monitoring compliance and overseeing campus operations in the following areas: Campus Human Resources; Central Ticket Office; Environment, Health and Safety; Events and Transportation; Facilities Management; Housing and Hospitality Services (including faculty and staff housing, and UCLA conference centers); Information Technology Services; and the UCLA Police Department. The division has an annual operating budget of approximately $625 million and more than 4,400 employees.  

I want to thank the search/advisory committee for assembling an outstanding pool of candidates and for its role in recruiting Michael. The committee was chaired by Steven A. Olsen, vice chancellor and chief financial officer. Other members were: Jim Davis – vice provost, information technology; Monroe Gorden Jr. – associate vice chancellor, student affairs administration; Dominique M. Hanssens – Bud Knapp Distinguished Professor of Marketing, UCLA Anderson School of Management; Nurit Katz – chief sustainability officer and executive officer, UCLA Facilities Management; Lubbe Levin – associate vice chancellor, campus human resources; David E. Lopez – professor emeritus of sociology and faculty retirement liaison; Maurice M. Salter – member and past chair, UCLA Foundation Board of Directors, and president and CEO, LoanAmerica; Susan G. Santon – associate vice chancellor, capital planning and finance; and Paul A. Staton – chief financial officer, UCLA Health System. I also want to thank Steve Olsen for his service as interim administrative vice chancellor since August 1.

Chancellor Block and I are confident that Michael will be an extraordinary addition to our campus leadership team, and we look forward to working with him and with each of you to advance our shared goals for UCLA. Please join me in congratulating Michael and welcoming him to UCLA.

Sincerely,

Scott L. Waugh
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost