According to Clint Lord, UC Davis' new associate vice chancellor for Facilities Management, the best paths are the ones you don’t plan.

“I never dreamed my career would focus on facilities,” Clint recalls. “But for me, this job is a great fit, not only for my experience, but my personal and professional priorities.”

From the frontlines to facilities

Clint’s journey is as fascinating as it is intense. During his early days in the Marine Corps, he served all over the world including Kuwait during the tail end of Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, in Somalia, just after the Battle of Mogadishu (aka Black Hawk Down), and Rwanda in the 1990s, during their civil war.  

Post-Marine Corps, Clint served in a variety of roles including cost engineer, project manager and assistant facilities manager, but his current path really took shape managing facilities for Maricopa Integrated Health System, a role fraught with high-stakes challenges. 

“Facilities management is similar across industries, but in a hospital, when systems go down, it’s life and death,” said Clint. “That experience will also serve me here, given the critical role our teams play in supporting animal welfare.”

Fresh from twelve-plus years and the position of interim vice president of facilities management for Arizona State University, Clint brings a wealth of understanding honed by years of handling crises. 

“Between the Marine Corps and the hospital, there’s really nothing that stresses me out, but that doesn’t mean the job is easy in any way,” Clint says with a chuckle. “Facilities folks keep things running – supporting research and creating an environment for the next generation of critical thinkers.” 

Leadership priorities

Clint is eager to contribute to the campus’s ongoing success, and particularly excited about UC Davis’ commitment to sustainability, notably the Big Shift. For the 633 staff in UC Davis Facilities Management and campus stakeholders, his approach to leadership is about providing support and improving potential. 

“My job is to make sure our teams have what they need to do their jobs well,” he emphasizes. “This is a data driven organization. It’s about seeing where we can be more efficient, and that involves analyzing the numbers, collaborating with our community, my leadership group and their employees.”

Work-life balance

Despite his impressive credentials, Clint remains down-to-earth. He’s quick to note the supportive and welcoming nature of the UC Davis community. "The process of onboarding here is nothing like I’ve experienced before. People reach out almost daily to see if I need anything. It’s been fantastic.”

When he’s not managing facilities, Clint enjoys spending time with his family – wife, children, grandchild and dog (see photos below), staying active, playing golf and hitting the gym. 

While Clint Lord’s journey to UC Davis might have been unexpected, his dedication and approach to challenges make him an ideal fit for the new role. Clint begins July 1, 2024. Everyone is encouraged to connect with him via his LinkedIn profile or send him an email.