David Kang, a seasoned facilities and emergency management professional and public safety leader, has been appointed Caltech's associate vice president for facilities. He will start at Caltech on June 1.
"David brings to the Institute more than two decades of administrative leadership, with experience leading large and small teams in all areas of facilities management," said Karen Sisson, Caltech's vice president for administration and chief financial officer, in announcing the appointment.
Kang currently serves as vice chancellor for infrastructure and sustainability at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), with responsibility for leading more than 650 employees in the execution of environmental health and safety, long-range capital planning, design and construction, transportation, and facilities operations and services. He previously led CU Boulder's police department, public safety, and emergency management programs.
Kang has played an instrumental role in enhancing CU Boulder's sustainability and resiliency efforts, helping to formalize partnerships with local municipalities and research labs to enhance community resiliency and advance renewable and smart-energy opportunities on campus. He also led the development of the campus's housing, transportation, and energy master plans, culminating in a 2021 update to CU Boulder's campus master plan.
At Caltech, Kang will intersect with nearly all aspects of the Institute's operations, providing strategic and day-to-day leadership for the Institute's physical plant, including design and construction, facilities operations and maintenance, sustainability, campus security, parking, environmental health and safety, emergency management, mail services, and faculty housing.
Prior to his positions in higher education, Kang served for more than two decades in the military, holding a wide range of senior-level positions and facilities management roles for the U.S. Navy, including a stint at The White House, where he served as the director of project management for the White House Military Office. He holds a master's degree in civil engineering from UC Berkeley and a bachelor's degree in structural engineering from UC San Diego.
Kang was recommended and ultimately selected for the role through a comprehensive and competitive national search led by Ken Hargreaves, Caltech's external relations officer and assistant vice president for strategy implementation.
"I am grateful to the campus search committee for its work to bring this exceptional candidate forward," Sisson said. "David brings a calm, service-oriented, collaborative style and extensive leadership experience to this role. He has demonstrated ability in strategically leading facilities operations to professionally, efficiently, and creatively advance the broader organization's goals and mission."
In her announcement of Kang's appointment, Sisson also recognized and thanked John Onderdonk, who has served as Caltech's interim associate vice president for facilities since February 2021. Upon Kang's arrival, Onderdonk will resume his role as Caltech's senior director for facilities services and planning.
Written by Lori Oliwenstein-Kluger