Interim leadership structure

As you know, our current Associate Vice President Wendy Powers will be leaving UC ANR on August 12, 2022, and Vice Provost Mark Bell departed at the end of June. After careful consideration of multiple options, we have arrived at an interim leadership structure to preserve the integrity and effectiveness of all UC ANR programs, research and extension efforts while we recruit for a permanent Associate Vice President. Key changes are outlined below and are illustrated in the attached Interim Org Chart.

I am pleased to announce that Deanne Meyer has agreed to serve as Interim AVP while the search process is underway. Many of you have worked with Deanne over her many years at UC Davis; her academic and leadership experience as a CE Specialist and Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative Leader will serve the organization well during this transition period. She understands the work and value of Cooperative Extension and will be a strong champion for all UC ANR programs, research, and outreach.

David Bunn will now focus entirely on County Cooperative Extension. He will also partner with Anne Megaro, UC ANR's Government and Community Relations Director, to assist county directors with local and state government relations. All County Directors will continue to report to David.

Darren Haver has agreed to take on a new 50% assignment as the statewide Associate Director of the RECs. He will also continue to serve as the South Coast REC Director. Darren has served as the Assistant Vice Provost for the REC System for the past few years; these same duties will be transferred into his new position in addition to championing the implementation of the REC Strategic Framework. All REC Directors will now report to Darren.   

With Mark's departure, we have temporarily divided his areas of responsibility across two separate individuals. Greg Ira has agreed to serve as the Statewide Programs and Institutes Lead. He will coordinate and convene the SWP/I leaders. SWP/I leaders will report directly to the Interim AVP. Jim Farrar has agreed to serve as the Strategic InitiativesLead. Jim will regularly convene the SI leaders and ensure that critical conversations and coordination across these groups continues to be strong.  

A permanent AVP will have the opportunity to consider programmatic leadership structure to best position UC ANR for future success. In the meantime, I hope that you will work with these interim leaders and support them in any way you can.

I will overview this new structure at the July 21^st Town Hall. If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, Wendy Powers, Tu Tran or Kathy Eftekhari.

Best Wishes, 
Glenda

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