Dec. 8, 2016
CWU Names Interim Vice President of Operations
Central Washington University President James L. Gaudino has named Kurtis D. Lohide, a former administrator at the California State University Maritime Academy, as interim vice president of operations. Lohide assumes the position on January 1, 2017.
Lohide will replace Gene Shoda, who has been serving as interim vice president since last winter. Shoda will serve until January 31, 2017.
At the Maritime Academy, Lohide served as president of administration and finance and chief financial officer. His duties included responsibility for the university’s financial, physical, and human resources.
Prior to that, he was vice president for finance and administrative services at Winona State University in Minnesota, staff director for Air Force Smart Operations-21, and Commander of the 435th Air Base Wing in Ramstein, Germany. He served 28 years as a U.S. Air Force officer.
Gaudino said Lohide was well-equipped for the job because of his accomplishments and experience in capital project management, which included the creation of a 50-year blueprint aligning physical plant development with university mission and values and the completion of an $18 million Integrated Wellness Complex and $29 million, 408-bed residence hall at Winona State University.
“We’re fortunate to find a candidate like Kurt who brings such depth of experience in capital facilities development,” said Gaudino. “We’re in the midst of an aggressive construction and modernization initiative and we’ll need a steady hand guiding that work.”
The president also recognized the transformative work of Gene Shoda since 2013, including leading the overhaul and digitization of numerous paper-based systems, the development of a data warehouse, and the upgrade of university email. Gaudino said Shoda also initiated new standards for project management as well as adapting to and managing change in all areas.
A national search is underway now for a permanent vice president to oversee the Division of Operations, including Information Services (and information security), Institutional Effectiveness, Facilities Management, and Police and Parking Services. The vice president of operations works directly with the president and serves as a member of the president’s cabinet.
Lohide was one of three candidates put forward by The Registry, a national organization with more than 500 experienced higher education executives who are available on an interim basis to assist colleges and universities. The candidates were interviewed earlier this week by members of the president’s cabinet.
Media contact: Richard Moreno, director of content development, 509-963-2714, Richard.Moreno@cwu.edu.