University of California President Robert C. Dynes today (June 27) announced the selection of William E. Johansen, business manager for the life sciences division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as the 2007-09 staff advisor to the UC Board of Regents.

Johansen joins 2006-08 staff advisor Lynda Brewer.  His appointment follows a systemwide, months-long selection process which began with a call for applications in January 2007.

Begun as a pilot program in 2005 and made permanent by the regents in January 2007, the staff advisor program allows for two staff and/or non-Senate academic employees to be selected to participate in open sessions of certain committees of the board.  Staff advisors bring the voice and perspective of staff and non-Senate academic employees to board deliberations on relevant matters that come before the regents.

Johansen received his undergraduate degree in political science from UC Berkeley and has worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory almost exclusively since 1987 when he began his career with UC as a student assistant.  Upon graduating UC Berkeley, Johansen spent three years in Washington, D.C., including with the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation.  In 1996, he returned to LBNL and in 2005 was named business manager.  Johansen has also been very active in staff affairs for many years, both at the local and system wide level.  Most recently he served as 2006-07 chair of the Council of University of California Staff Assemblies.

“Through his work at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as well as with the Council of University of California Staff Assemblies, Bill has demonstrated a clear understanding of the needs and concerns of staff, and the commitment and ability to help the university address them,” said Dynes.  “I think he is a terrific representative of and advocate for all UC employees.”

“I am honored by this appointment and proud to continue to serve the UC community, and staff in particular, in this role,” Johansen said.  “I look forward to working closely with the regents, staff advisor Brewer, the administration, and the entire university community to ensure that the needs, concerns and ideas of staff receive the recognition and attention they deserve.”

For more information about the staff advisor program: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/staffadvisors/

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