When Point Loma resident David Umstot isn’t backpacking through the Grand Canyon, he’s busy overseeing the implemention of Proposition MM funds as the director of facilities for the San Diego Unified School District.
As of Aug. 1, however, Umstot will be facing a new but similar challenge as vice chancellor of facilities management for the San Diego Community College District. There, he will oversee construction, custodial, grounds and Community College school police for the district, which includes San Diego City, Mesa and Miramar colleges and continuing education sites.
He succeeds Damon Schamu, who has served as the SDCCD vice chancellor of facilities management for the last 27 years.
As vice chancellor, Umstot will use his expertise in construction and facilities oversight from his position with SDUSD to put to use roughly $1.5 billion in bonds for the community college district over the next 10 years, he said.
The funds are the result of Propositions S and N passed by San Diego voters in 2002 and 2006, respectively.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” he said. “I’m certain there will be challenges, I just don’t know what they’ll be yet.”
Umstot is no stranger to challenge. During his tenure with SDUSD, he has faced troublesome contractors. He has wrestled with the halting of Jonas Salk Elementary School because of the presence of San Diego fairy shrimp, an endangered species.
He also said the possibility of unexploded ammunition at Scripps Ranch Middle School caused some delays. Still, the school was built at the former Camp Elliot and triggered a costly, rigorous soil-screening process to detect and remove potential dangers, he said.
“There are no dull days,” he said.
Although good with unexpected challenges, it’s Umstot’s professional background that has given him experience he can draw upon.
Working early in his career with the Bechtel Corporation has led him all over the world building hospitals, weapons systems and massive civil projects like dams and bridges, he said.
Umstot decided to sink roots in Point Loma in 1993. A father of two boys, ages 16 and 11, Umstot has been active in the community.
Over the years he has volunteered as a soccer coach for the Peninsula YMCA. He spent five years in a leadership capacity with Boy Scout Troop 500 in Point Loma, including nearly three years as a committee chair. He is currently involved as an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 24, also in Point Loma.
Dorothy Leonard, chair of the Proposition MM citizen’s oversight committee, said Umstot has done a good job considering some of the hurdles faced by the SDUSD during the last two years.
“We’re going to miss Dave, but I think this is a great opportunity for him and I think he’s up to the challenge,” she said.