By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer, LA Daily News | http://bit.ly/NsYxid
6/15/2012 12:07:24 PM PDT :: Kelly Schmader, an engineer who's headed LAUSD's Facilities Division for two years, is leaving his $218,000-a-year post to take the top facilities job at UCLA. His last day is June 29.
<< Kelly Schmader (Photo courtesy of LAUSD)
In a phone interview Friday, Schmader described his move to the University of California Los Angeles as a "once in a lifetime opportunity."
"I've always wanted to work in higher education, and a prestigious place like UCLA - as an engineer, I couldn't pass it up," Schmader said.
"I wouldn't leave my team for anything short of that."
Schmader's last day will be June 29. Mark Hovatter, director of procurement, will serve as interim director until a permanent successor is named, possibly by early September, Superintendent John Deasy said.
"I'm very saddened by this," Deasy said. "Kelly's a highly respected, very highly valued member of my leadership team. He's extremely good at his job and is a great team player."
Schmader had served for 27 years as a civil engineer in the Navy when he was hired in 2010 by Los Angeles Unified as director of maintenance and operations. He was promoted as the top facilities executive about a year ago following the resignation of chief James Sohn, who came under fire for a shortage of inspectors and contracting irregularities.
Asked about his contribution to the district, Schmader said he was proud of the teamwork and transparency of the Facilities Division. It is wrapping up work on the district's $20 billion campus construction and modernization program, which includes the building of more than 130 schools and the renovation of 500 others.
"Projects are projects, but having a positive reputation and the trust of the people of this caliber is the most important," he said.
"As difficult as things sometimes get, I've focused on the outcome. I always went home knowing that I had a small part in bettering the lives of kids in LAUSD."
smf: Kelly Schmader rates far more than 2¢ – he should get at least a dollar!
Kelly has been a player, a colleague and a partner in building and rebuilding LAUSD. He has held many jobs in LAUSD since he joined the Facilities Division a couple of years ag0, being constantly and continually promoted upwards – ever the rising star - proving himself the the exception to Dr. Peter's Principle.
In the top job he returned professionalism and transparency to a position that had taken two steps in the wrong direction following Guy Mehula being forced out and James Sohn’s unfortunate and very political (if impolitic) appointment.
Kelly’s own coda should be his own: “I always went home knowing that I had a small part in bettering the lives of kids in LAUSD."
He is right.
No comments:
Post a Comment