CLU fills position with interim VP

Ryan Van Ommeren Ryan Van Ommeren has been appointed interim vice president for administration and finance at California Lutheran University.

Van Ommeren came to CLU in 2000 as director of facilities. He was promoted in 2006 to associate vice president of facilities operation and planning, and his responsibilities expanded to include several departments with a combined operating budget of more than $10 million a year.

He oversaw several construction projects on the growing Thousand Oaks campus, including the $18-million Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, the $10million Grace Hall and the $3million Samuelson Aquatics Center.

The Newbury Park resident is on the board of directors of the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce and was selected to participate in the organization's 2006-2007 Leadership Conejo program.

Van Ommeren earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from South Dakota State University and a master's degree in construction engineering from UC Berkeley.

He replaces Bob Allison, who spent 14 years at CLU before leaving in June to serve as vice president for business and finance at his alma mater, Vanguard University of Southern California.

Van Ommeren started his new position on June 26.

A search for a permanent replacement is underway.