Donald Findley

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As executive director of ASUCLA and director of the UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center and Bruin Woods Alumni Family Resort, Donald Findley has devoted 29 years of exemplary service to UCLA.

In 1970, Don began his relationship with the blue and gold at ASUCLA, where he quickly established a reputation for his creativity, vision and business acumen. Responsible for the creation of numerous new service facilities and student “hangouts” including the Treehouse, Bombshelter Deli and Burger Bar, Kerckhoff Coffee House, North Campus Student Center and The Cooperage, he turned a struggling student organization around financially and built it into a thriving enterprise. By the time he left the organization in 1981, it had vastly improved its service to the entire campus community and quadrupled its annual revenues to over $30 million.

After revitalizing ASUCLA, Findley was enlisted to work his magic on a rundown patch of property owned by the University of California in Lake Arrowhead. Today, the UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center is one of the premier conference centers in California, and Bruin Woods is arguably the finest alumni family resort in the nation. As a result, the conference center is booked to capacity during the academic year, and Bruin Woods has had a waiting list since its inception in 1985. In 1990, he received the Bruin Bear Award from Chancellor Charles Young in recognition as the champion and founder of Bruin Woods family camp.

Don has not only been a fine example in the business world, but has also served as a teacher and mentor to hundreds of Bruin Woods student counselors. Under Don's guidance, these students have learned about character, ethics and values, which have helped them serve as role models for the next generation of Bruins who visit the resort.

Throughout his tenure at UCLA, he helped create and foster a strong sense of community in a large and diverse campus environment. His acute attention to detail and perceptive understanding of people's needs, particularly students, have driven his success and ensured his enduring legacy at UCLA.