Irvine Division Welcomes New Facilities Manager
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September 8, 2004 -- The Irvine division of Calit² has hired Gregory Gallardo as facilities manager. Gregory joins the staff at a very busy and critical time for the division with the new 120,000 square foot building set to open later this fall.
"The Calit² facility at UCI is a beautiful structure inside and out, and it will certainly be one of the most technologically advanced in the UC system. I'm looking forward to getting the new building finished, furnished and everyone moved in," said Gregory.
Gregory already brings many years of UCI experience to his new position starting 19 years ago in central receiving on campus. For the past eight years, he served as the facilities and building operations manager in the Graduate School of Management.
"The vast amounts of knowledge and technology involved in this Institute are staggering. Who wouldn't want to be a part of such an exciting project?" he said, adding "My greatest hope is that I can contribute to the Institute and division's goals equal to what I'm sure I will learn!"
A native of southern California, Gregory says the UC system is in his blood noting that his mother, brother and sister all worked for UC Riverside, and his father, now retired, worked for UCLA and UCSF.
Originally starting his career in art, Gregory says he put down his paintbrush when given the opportunity to pick up the guitar. He worked as a professional musician touring the world and working for several record companies. He still enjoys playing the classical guitar and plans to retire in another 20 years with hopes of picking that paintbrush back up. An avid cyclist, Gregory says he enjoys racing mountain bikes in his spare time, proudly proclaiming, "between my wife and 12 year old son we have eight bicycles in the house!"
Gregory's can-do-attitude is a positive addition to the Irvine division. He has wasted no time delving into the thick of the final construction stages as the timeline for completion draws near.
"Once the dust settles and the labs are more or less set-up, I'm looking forward to interacting with faculty, researchers and students to set up systems and design spaces. We have been given a wonderful framework to build on for the future," he said.
Welcome, Gregory..now put on your hard hat and get to work!