Retiree Center Advisory Committee

Calvin Handy, Chair
(Marjorie Ahl, UC Davis)

Calvin Handy

Chairperson, Retiree Center Advisory Committee;
Representative-at-Large

Mr. Handy’s career with the University of California began at the UC Berkeley Police Department in 1974 and ended at UC Davis on January 1, 2005. He was Chief of Police at UC Davis from 1993 through 2004.  From 2000 through 2003 he was Coordinator of Police Services overseeing the police departments at all UC campuses. Mr. Handy was an enthusiastic proponent of community-oriented policing. In retirement, Mr. Handy serves on the Retiree Center Advisory Committee and annually he presents the Calvin E. Handy Leadership Award to a faculty, staff, student, or community member selected for their contribution(s) to personal safety. Mr. Handy is also associated with Davis Police Advisory Committee, the Yolo County Advisory Committee on Tribal Matters, the International House, Davis, the American Leadership Forum, Calvin E. Handy Security Management and Planning, and his band, The Jazz Patrol.

“I wish to see the Retiree Center develop a broad range of programs, events, and seminars to involve retired faculty and staff.”  

Bill Brooks

HR Representative, Davis Campus

Charley Hess
(Marjorie Ahl, UC Davis)

Charley Hess

Representative-at-Large, Emeriti Association

Dr. Hess came to UC Davis as Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 1975. He served as Dean for 14 years. In 1989, left UC Davis when he was appointed by the President as Assistant Secretary of Science and Education in the USDA. Upon his return to campus in 1991, he served as the Director of International Programs.  Dr. Hess retired in 1994.  He was recalled as Director of International Programs and served as a special assistant to the Provost and Chancellor.  In 2004 he served on the Retiree Center Planning Committee and became the first chair of the Retiree Center Advisory Committee, serving for two years from 2005 to 2007.  He is a Past President of the UCDEA, is currently Chair of the Council of UC Emeriti Associations, and has been appointed to the Retiree Center Advisory Committee. 

“My goal is to continue to serve retirees and the campus.”

Bob Loessberg-Zahl
(Marjorie Ahl, UC Davis)

Bob Loessberg-Zahl

Assistant Executive Vice Chancellor, Offices of the Chancellor & Provost

Yvonne Marsh
(Marjorie Ahl, UC Davis)

Yvonne Marsh

President UC Davis Retirees' Association

Ms. Marsh served for 30 years in the Student Affairs Division of UC Davis, retiring in 2004.  Her first position was as the Assistant Dean to Dean of Women, Ruth Anderson.  Under the new Vice Chancellor, Tom Dutton, she then held various positions including Director of Orientation and Freshmen Programs, Counselor in Financial Aid Office, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, and Assistant Vice Chancellor.  Her last position was as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment, Advising and Academic Support Services. In retirement, Ms. Marsh is the current President of the UC Davis Retirees’ Association, and she serves on the Student Affairs Development Council. Additionally, she is the current chairperson of the Board of Directors for USE Credit Union; and is a member of the University Retirement Community Foundation Board.

“I would like to encourage active participation by retirees and emeriti in the Center as well as to the benefit of the campus.”

Alex McCalla
(Marjorie Ahl, UC Davis)

Alex McCalla

President UC Davis Emeriti Association

Dr. McCalla started working at the UC Davis campus in 1966, as an assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics. From 1970-75, he served as Dean of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and served as the Founding Dean of the Graduate School of Management 1979-1981. Dr. McCalla retired from the University in 1994, and worked as the Director of Agriculture and Rural Development for World Bank for the next five years. Since his retirement in 1994, Alex has been very active on the Davis campus. He has served as Chair of the Academic Senate Emeriti Committee, Vice President of the UC Davis Emeriti Association (UCDEA), and Chairperson of the Retiree Advisory Committee. He is currently the President of the UCDEA.

“I hope for a good physical space for the Retiree Center, as well as continued retiree interaction with the Campus in a variety of programs and activities.”

Barbara Nichols

Vice Chairperson, Retiree Center Advisory Committee; Representative-at-Large, Retirees’ Association

Ms. Nichols worked at UC Davis for 36 years, retiring in 1992. Her first position was as a secretary in the Department of Agricultural Economics. She also served in the Chancellor's Office as the Manager for Campus Academic Personnel. Additionally, she held three different positions in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences - Dean's Office, as the Manager Academic/Staff Personnel, as the College Affirmative Action Officer and as the College Sexual Harassment Advisor. Ms. Nichols was recalled to service in 1994-95 as the Acting Director of the UC Davis Campus Sexual Harassment Program. In retirement, she served for eight years on the Executive Committee of the UC Davis Retirees’ Association, acting as Vice Chair and Chair.

“I am extremely pleased with the development of the Retiree Center. I hope to offer support to its continued development, and I will work toward securing adequate space and support for the Center.”

John Peklar
(Marjorie Ahl, UC Davis)

John Peklar

HR Representative, UCDHS

Mr. Peklar has 23 years of UC service, all within the UC Davis Health System Human Resources Department. He worked for 14 years as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, and for the last 9 years he has been the health system Benefits Manager. Mr. Peklar holds a Master's of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Outside of work, he enjoys camping, hiking, and fishing.

“My hope is the Retiree Center can continue to find additional innovative ways to maintain a retiree presence at both the UCD Campus and UCDHS.”

Gary Schultz
(Marjorie Ahl, UC Davis)

Gary Schultz

Immediate Past President of Retirees’ Association

Mr. Schultz worked as a budget analyst in Planning and Budget (part of Chancellor's Office) for 15 years. Then, he was the Assistant Dean for Administration in the School of Veterinary Medicine for the next 18 years. He retired in 2001. Following his retirement, Mr. Schultz went back to work for 2 1/2 years as Assistant Dean for Facility Planning for the School of Veterinary Medicine. In this position, he was responsible for planning for all new facilities for the school. Outside of work, Mr. Schultz has directed an Austrian/Bavarian folk dance exhibition group for 31 years, and he is the membership director for the German American Cultural Center in Sacramento. He is also an avid political button collector.

“I am hopeful that the momentum that we now have in the Retiree Association in reaching out to all retirees will continue on and that we continue to have a close relationship to the Emeriti Association.”

Dick Walters
(Marjorie Ahl, UC Davis)

Dick Walters

Immediate Past President, Emeriti Association

Dr. Walters retired in 2000 after 33 years with UC Davis. He held professorial appointments in several departments, including Medical Education, Biomedical Engineering, Community Health, Family Practice, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Pathology. After retirement, Dr. Walters held positions as a Professor in the School of Education, as a faculty consultant with the Teaching Resources Center, and as a Special Assistant to the Vice Provost for International Relations. He is a senior member of the Association for Computer Machinery, a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics, and a former Fellow of the Geological Society of America. Dr. Walters’ principal professional interests are technology support of teaching/learning and medical informatics.

“My vision for Retiree Center is for it to become a place that supports active involvement of our retirees in contributing to the needs of the campus as well as fellowship with other retirees and the pursuit of lifelong learning”