Beginning this spring quarter, ASUCD welcomed its new executive controller Francisco Lara following a competitive interview cycle.
Lara, a third-year economics and political science double major, has a vast background in finances and ASUCD.
He has experience in budgeting and financing, including writing the budget for delegations at the Student of Color conference, University of California Student Association’s oldest and largest conference, where students of color and their allies strategize around statewide and campus-based actions. He said that worked to get $20,000 worth in grants for the conference and helped balance the budget.
Lara has been a part of ASUCD since his first quarter at UC Davis. He interned for senator Kabir Kapur, and served as a volunteer for the elections committee. For the past eight quarters, Lara was a member of the Internal Affairs Commission and chief of staff for last year’s executive office, comprised of Armando Figueroa and Maxwell Kappes. Lara said that he is now in the position that he has been dreaming about for the past two years.
“Francisco was unmatched in regards to experience and potential to do well in the job,” ASUCD president Mariah Watson said. “He’s a critical thinker with great ideas for how to save money and make money.”
The most recent former ASUCD controller, who occupied the position in the interim following Rylan Schaeffer’s resignation, is fourth-year economics and history double major Chandler Hill. He believes that Lara has a strong familiarity with the association as an “insider.”
“He knows the internal office politics and knows how to get things done,” Hill said.
Hill said that had a great experience during his time as controller from January to March and hopes Lara will also enjoy his time in the role.
“He will have a fun time learning about the business of ASUCD,” Hill said.
Lara plans on being an effective controller by setting goals that he hopes to achieve before the end of his term, starting off with bringing back stability through stabilizing capital reserves. Lara plans on working closely during the next few weeks with Watson and with twenty different unit directors to write the budget and come up with strategies that would foster growth within the association.
“I want to work toward maximizing the services ASUCD provides while still putting us in a stable position” Lara said. “I want to be critical on [where we put our money].”
Graphic by Jennifer Wu.
