By Olivier Uyttebrouck Journal Staff Writer
Louis Caldera said he would put aside some of his ambitions in business and politics to run the University of New Mexico.
Louis Caldera, 47
EXPERIENCE: Vice chancellor for university advancement, California State University system and president of the California State University Foundation, June 2001 to present; secretary of the Army under President Clinton, 1998-2001; assembly member for Los Angeles, California Legislature, 1992-97.
That would include surrendering some of his eight positions on corporate and non-profit boards of directors and turning down any top leadership posts in Washington, D.C.
UNM regents on Monday named the former Secretary of the Army as their unanimous pick for UNM's top job — and its first permanent Hispanic president.
"If Louis Caldera isn't qualified, who is?" Regent Mel Eaves said after the announcement.
Eaves and others said Caldera's "demonstrated leadership" as the Army's top civilian employee, a California legislator and vice chancellor for advancement of the California State University system made him the clear choice for UNM's top job.
"I'm delighted and very excited that we're moving in the direction toward a final decision on the 13th," Caldera said in a telephone interview Monday from his office in Long Beach, Calif.
Regents plan to take formal action May 13, which is the earliest day they can legally announce a president.
UNM faculty leaders had objected to Caldera throughout the search process but made conciliatory comments about him after a closed meeting Monday with regents.
"He's a person with some real talents, and I intend to try and work with him," said Beverly Burris, president of the UNM Faculty Senate.
Concerns had been expressed because Caldera's academic experience is limited to his current job as vice chancellor, which he has held since June 2001. Caldera also has never been a faculty member.
Caldera predicted he will overcome any skepticism by faculty members.
"I feel pretty confident that the faculty will give me a chance and, over time, they will like what they see," he said.
The New Mexico Hispano Round Table, an advocacy group that has long pushed for a Hispanic president at UNM, endorsed Caldera's candidacy last week.
Board work to be cut
Caldera, 47, would replace F. Chris Garcia, who began a one-year term as president Aug. 1.
"I think there is a lot of enthusiasm in this community for the first (permanent) Hispanic president since the school was founded," Eaves said. "I think he's a fantastic role model."
On Monday, regents voted 4-0 to pursue contract discussions with Caldera. Voting in favor were Eaves, Jack Fortner, Jamie Koch and Andrea Cook.
Larry Willard, Sandra Begay-Campbell and Maria Griego-Raby were not at the meeting, but Fortner said they are in full agreement.
Caldera said Monday he must now decide which of his eight corporate and nonprofit board positions to give up.
Caldera sits on four corporate boards: Southwest Airlines Co. of Dallas; Iomega Corp. of La Jolla, Calif., a maker of computer peripheral devices; BELO Corp. of Dallas, a media company that owns the Dallas Morning News; and Indy Mac Bancorp of Pasadena, Calif., one of the nation's largest mortgage finance companies.
His nonprofit board seats are with Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, Calif.; the Council on Foreign Relations; The Advertising Council advisory board; and Partnership for Public Service advisory board.
"I'm going to have to cut back on some of my outside commitments," Caldera said. But he also plans to keep some posts, which he said could strengthen UNM's corporate ties.
He singled out Southwest Airlines, the largest air carrier serving New Mexico.
Eaves said Caldera's board memberships "could be a benefit to the university" by helping UNM attract corporate financial support.
"No one is aware of other presidents that have been members of large corporate boards at the time they come into the presidency," Eaves said. "That provides access to private (funding) sources that other presidents haven't had the benefit of."
D.C. jobs put on hold
As President Clinton's appointee for Secretary of the Army from 1998-2001, Caldera said he had a good shot at picking up a cabinet-level post, possibly even as secretary of defense, had voters elected Democrat Al Gore in 2000.
But if voters choose a Democratic president in 2004, "I would not consider myself eligible to serve, period," Caldera said.
Caldera, one of five presidential finalists, said he made the same promise to regents during interviews on campus.
Regents Eaves and Fortner on Monday were authorized to pursue negotiations with Caldera.
Caldera said he expects few difficulties negotiating a contract with regents. Neither he nor regents identified a possible salary or other terms.
Eaves said Caldera likely will be paid more than Garcia, whose annual salary is $218,000. Caldera said he currently is paid $225,000 a year as a vice chancellor.
"I'm certainly not going to hold the university over a barrel," he said. "That's not the way to get off to a good start with the regents you're going to work for, or anyone else."
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