Upon joining the University of California, Lenz will have held senior budget positions in all three segments of California public higher education, most recently as assistant vice chancellor for budget for the California State University (CSU) system. Previously he held various positions with the California Community Colleges, including as the system's executive vice chancellor.
As vice president of budget, Lenz, 54, will have responsibility for developing, approving, communicating and implementing the university's operating and capital resources acquisitions, allocation and long-range budget plans.
"Patrick is a familiar and respected colleague to many of us after his years both at the California State University and the California Community Colleges," Dynes said. "He is well-versed in Californian public higher education funding issues, and therefore is uniquely qualified to help us meet the budget challenges we face during what once again is shaping up to be an extraordinarily difficult fiscal situation in Sacramento."
Lenz will report to Executive Vice President Katherine N. Lapp.
"Patrick's appointment marks the next step in our effort to restructure the university's budget management," she said. "Our goal is to build an office dedicated to continuing the high professional standards we all have come to expect from the Budget Office but now combined with a commitment to more openness, transparency and responsiveness to the Regents, the campuses, Legislature and the public."
Lenz is joining UC after six years at CSU, where he was responsible for coordinating the System Budget Advisory Committee, which develops CSU budget requests, and for reviewing and approving all CSU campus funding allocations. He was also responsible for providing budget and fiscal policy briefings to members of the Executive Council of CSU Presidents and for advocating and testifying on behalf of the CSU in Sacramento.
Prior to joining CSU, Lenz served in a variety of roles at the 109-campus California Community Colleges system. He rose from vice chancellor for fiscal policy to executive vice chancellor. Previously he served in a variety of fiscal roles for the California State Senate, including as deputy director for the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.
"It has been an honor, over these years, to serve in so many different roles in California's public higher education system," said Lenz. "But it is a particular pleasure now to be part of the University of California system - it is an institution without peer anywhere in the world.
"At the same time, I appreciate the unique funding challenge we face in ensuring its continuing quality and accessibility to students. Nothing is more important."
The Regents also approved this week the appointment of longtime Assistant Vice President Debora Obley as associate vice president for budget operations. Obley will assume responsibility for operational management of a streamlined Budget Office operation in Oakland and its role in providing strategic support for budget development and negotiation.
Obley's new role follows a successful interim tenure in leading the Budget Office during these last few months of transition.
Lenz will receive an annual salary of $272,500, along with the following additional items per university policy:
• Standard Pension and Health and Welfare benefits and standard Senior Management benefits, including Senior Manager Life Insurance, Executive Business Travel Insurance;
• 5 percent monthly contribution to the Senior Management Supplemental Benefit Program;
• An automobile allowance of $8,916 per annum;
• Participation in the Mortgage Origination Loan Program (MOP), available to be exercised within a period not to exceed 24 months from date of employment; and
• Use of administrative funds for official entertainment and other purposes permitted by university policy.
Lenz, a graduate of San Jose State University, is recently married. He and his wife, Sally, have four children: Joe, a sophomore at CSU, Long Beach; Bianca, a high school senior; Abbey, a high school junior; and Adam, a high school sophomore.
About the University of California: The UC system includes 10 campuses, five medical centers and programs across the state. It is also involved in managing three national laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy. The UC community encompasses 214,000 students, 170,000 employees, 45,000 retirees and 1.5 million alumni living and working around the world. For more news and information about the University of California: www.universityofcalifornia.edu