A UC Davis Health System manager, Penelope "Penny" Herbert of the Department of Clinical Operations, is the newest staff adviser to the Board of Regents.

UC President Mark G. Yudof made the announcement this morning (May 19), saying: "Penny's commitment to the university's mission and her understanding of the issues we face make her an excellent choice for the staff adviser role."

Herbert, who joined the health system in 2003, becomes the staff adviser-designate, meaning that she will serve alongside the staff adviser and then, in a year, become the staff adviser.

"I feel extremely honored to be trusted with this important responsibility, " Herbert said. "I look forward to building on the work done by previous staff advisers, particularly in finding avenues for unrepresented staff to have a voice."

Yudof's announcement followed a monthslong selection process. "We had many qualified candidates to consider, and I think Penny will represent all UC employees well," Yudof said.

Claire Pomeroy, UC Davis vice chancellor for Human health Sciences and dean of the School of medicine, said: "Penny is a dynamic, innovative manager deeply committed to the success of the University of California and the people of California whom we serve.

"She is an inspiring organizational and team leader and dynamic staff representative who combines outstanding interpersonal skills with sound evidence-based approaches to decision making."

As manager of clinical operations, Herbert works to integrate the health system's strategic goals into efficient day-to-day operations at the UC Davis Medical Center and its outpatient offices.

Away from work, Herbert is vice president of the board of directors of the Center for AIDS Research, Education and Services, or CARES, the Sacramento area's largest clinic for people with AIDS and the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus, and, for a time, served as interim executive director.

In addition, she is treasurer of the Winters Healthcare Foundation.

Prior to joining the UC Davis Health System, Herbert held key supervisory and managerial roles at Boston-area hospitals affiliated with the Harvard Medical System.

The staff adviser and staff adviser-designate represent staff and non-Senate academic employees in Board of Regents deliberations and decisions.

The advisers' set-up allows them to participate in meetings of five regents' committees — Educational Policy, Finance, Long Range Planning, Health Services and Investments. In addition, they are welcome to sit in on meetings of the full board.

The advisers do not vote, and they are not allowed in closed or regents-only sessions.

Each adviser serves a two-year term, the first year as designate, during which time the arrangement is like a mentorship with the staff adviser, before becoming the staff adviser.

As Herbert becomes staff adviser-designate, Juliann Martinez, director of Gift Management at UC Berkeley, moves up to adviser, replacing Edward L. Abeyta, registrar and director, Academic Services, UC San Diego Extension.

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Staff Advisers to the Regents