The Associated Students of UCLA appointed its interim executive
director on Monday, ending the search that began when director
Patricia Eastman announced her resignation in late September.
Bob Williams, the current director of food service operations
for ASUCLA, was confirmed as the interim executive director.
Williams said that having spent most of his time working in the
food services department, he was a little surprised that board
members had considered him for the position.
“I have been with ASUCLA for a very long time and I always
enjoy working with the people … I accepted the position because I
want to help ASUCLA move forward in any way I can,” he
said.
During the next month, Williams will be working with Eastman,
who has offered to help with the transition of an interim
director.
As the interim director, Williams said he will be working
“to maintain the momentum that ASUCLA has had for many
years.”
“I want to work on keeping a good line of communication
between the board and the managers, as well as different entities
on campus,” he said.
Williams said he will be tying up ends at food services, asking
staff in his department to step up and take on more
responsibilities as he prepares to take the position after
Eastman’s contract ends in December. Williams will remain the
interim director until the board decides on the permanent executive
director.
He added that he will be working with his staff to find the best
way for food services to continue managing its operations.
“I have a lot of confidence in the people I work
with,” Williams said.
Williams has the necessary leadership qualities and is
enthusiastic in doing his job, said Dria Fearn, a member of the
personnel committee and an undergraduate student representative to
the ASUCLA board of directors.
The history that Williams has with ASUCLA ““ more than 20
years ““ played a part in influencing his selection by board
members. Having started off as a food service worker at Rieber Hall
when he was a student at UCLA, Williams became the supervisor of
the residence hall and eventually worked his way up to direct food
service operations.
“He’s been with the association for so long and he
has gotten excellent evaluations along the way,” said Randy
Hall, chairman of the personnel committee.
Hall said the committee decided to recommend Williams for
approval by the board because of his “strong focus on student
leadership.”
Williams said his experience led him to look at the association
from the perspective of a student.
“My favorite part of the job is to encourage student
development. I like to see our employees mature and take part in
managing the restaurants,” he said.
Hall, who is also a graduate student representative to the
ASUCLA board of directors, said Williams was selected because of
his “great relationship with ASUCLA and other people in the
university.”
With the appointment of the interim executive director, the
association will now focus on searching for a permanent executive
director. The personnel committee will meet later this month to
discuss the process of selecting a permanent executive director,
Hall said.