Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith of UCLA has been selected as the 2011-13 staff advisor-designate to the University of California Regents, UC President Mark G. Yudof announced today (May 18).

Smith, chief financial and compliance officer in the UCLA chancellor's office, joins Penny Herbert, 2010-12 staff advisor, after a months-long, systemwide search.

“Kevin has an impressive background and I think he brings a number of important skills to the role of staff advisor, especially his understanding of financial matters,” Yudof said.  “I think he will represent staff very well, and I look forward to working with him over the next two years.”

Smith replaces Juliann Martinez of UC Berkeley, whose two-year appointment ends June 30.

"The next two years will be quite transformative for UC given the budget cuts being proposed," Smith said. "I want to use my background in budget and finance to serve the university. I also want to make sure decisions are made in the staff's best interest and then to be able to explain those decisions to staff."

Smith, who is a member of Bruin Caucus, UCLA's advocacy organization, says he also hopes to get more UC staff involved in advocacy efforts for the university. "We need more people out there writing letters and attending events in support of UC. There's a dedicated core of staff who actively advocate for UC, but we need to increase those numbers," he said.

Yudof, in consultation with regents chair Russell Gould, selected Smith from finalists recommended by a selection committee that included current and former staff advisors and other staff from the Office of the President.

As staff advisor-designate, Smith will represent staff and non-Senate academic employees in Board of Regents deliberations and decisions, bringing the voice and perspective of staff and non-Senate academic employees to board deliberations. He will participate as a non-voting advisor on five regents' committees: Committee on Educational Policy, Committee on Finance, Committee on Long Range Planning, Committee on Health Services and Committee on Investments.

Smith joined UCLA in 1999 as finance manager for UCLA's Communications Technology Services where he was responsible for the annual budget and other financial management duties. Since 2005 he has held the position of chief financial and compliance officer, managing all budget, accounting, payroll and policy compliance matters for the Office of the Chancellor. He also serves as consultant to Chancellor Gene Block on campuswide exceptional travel and entertainment policy and compliance issues that require chancellor approval.

Prior to joining UCLA, Smith worked as a financial analyst, supervisor and consultant for CIGNA Healthcare and BNR, a division of Nortel.

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