SoCalAPPA

Southern California Chapter of APPA

Welcome

Welcome to the Southern California Chapter of APPA (SoCalAPPA).

We are a network of facilities management professionals working in a range of educational contexts: university, college, community college, K-12, museums and vocational-technical.

We represent institutions from across Southern California, both public and private. We promote APPA’s mission of Leadership in Educational Facilities in Southern California. SoCalAPPA is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. We seek participation at all levels of facilities management.

Our Mission

To promote the training, knowledge- sharing, networking, and career-building resources of APPA International across all levels of Southern California educational facilities professionals, and to provide our members with meaningful professional development opportunities in Southern California.

Membership

Individual Membership
to SoCalAPPA is FREE
Be a part of SoCalAPPA and get updates about educational and professional development opportunities.
SoCalAPPA membership is open to all employees of educational institutions in Southern California that are members of APPA or PCAPPA.

Board of Directors

Meet the Team

Kevin Austin

President

Kevin serves as the Director of Facilities Services for Pomona College where he oversees campus operations. From 2009 to 2021 he served as the Senior Director of Operations & Maintenance at the University of Chicago where he was responsible for facilities maintenance, housekeeping services, landscape services, and several contracted services. Kevin’s 38-year career includes leadership positions at University of California campuses in San Diego, Davis and San Francisco, Cal Poly Pomona, Occidental College, and Elk Grove Unified School District. In addition, he served as a branch manager for ISS Facility Services, a contract service provider. Kevin is a long-standing active member of APPA. Most recently, he served as Membership Chair for the MAPPA Regional Board and as President of the Illinois Chapter (ILAPPA) of APPA from 2019-2021. He is a graduate of APPA's Institute for Facilities Management and earned his CEFP certification through APPA in 2014. While at the University of Chicago, the Facilities Services team was awarded the APPA Award for Excellence in Facilities Management.

Photograph or Travis Thomas

Travis Thomas

Vice President

Travis has served as the Director of Grounds, Custodial & Events for Physical Plant Management at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) since January 2021. Travis got his start in Facilities as a Student Assistant in the Central Receiving Department at CSUN in 1994 before becoming staff in 1997. Throughout his 30 years of service to CSUN, Travis served in a variety of roles, including Warehouse Worker, Distribution Center Supervisor, and Materials Manager. During his six years as Director of Logistical Services, Travis supported Central Receiving, campus-wide Asset Management, Mail Services, the PPM Work Control Center, the PPM Distribution Center and the Reprographics and Sign Shop enterprise operations. During this time, Travis also served as Fleet Manager and as the Logistics Section Chief in CSUN’s Emergency Operations Center. Travis holds a B.S. in Music from CSUN and a M.S. in Public Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. An active member in APPA, Travis earned his CEFP in 2018 and completed the Institute for Facilities Management later that same year.

Photograph of Jason Wang

Jason Wang

Secretary

Jason is the Senior Director of Physical Plant Management at California State University Northridge (CSUN) with professional interests in organizational theory, human resources management, and construction/facility management. Jason has worked in construction, university student unions, residential life, and taught high school. He has been at CSUN since 2002 and earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration/Student Personnel Services from the University of Arizona with a minor in Human Resources Management and a B.S. in Physics from Cal Poly Pomona.

Maria Jaimes

Treasurer

Maria currently serves as an Administrative Coordinator in the Facilities Services Department at Pomona College, where she plays a key role in coordinating operations, managing communications, and assisting with budgeting and work orders. Her efforts help ensure the department runs efficiently while supporting the maintenance and enhancement of campus facilities.
As the Treasurer of SoCalAPPA, Maria is responsible for overseeing financial management, budgeting, and reporting to maintain the organization's fiscal health. She works closely with the board to support strategic initiatives, ensure financial transparency, and uphold SoCalAPPA’s mission of advancing educational facilities professionals in Southern California.

Joseph Eggleston

Director 2025-2028

Joseph is an experienced higher education operations and compliance professional with 20 years of expertise in campus safety, auxiliary services, and facilities management. He currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Auxiliary Operations at Southern California University of Health Sciences.
Joe has been a featured presenter at PCAPPA, sharing insights on agility in academic spaces, change management, and innovative workplace solutions. His leadership extends nationally, having served on both the NACAS National Board and NACAS West Board, where he contributed to advancing auxiliary services and financial sustainability in higher education institutions.
As a thought leader in campus operations, Joe is passionate about fostering collaboration, enhancing workplace efficiency, and driving meaningful change in facilities and auxiliary management.

Edwin Torres

Edwin Torres

Director 2026-2029

Edwin is the Sr. Director, Facilities Management, Finance and Administration at Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles. In my current role as Senior Director of Facilities, he leads strategic initiatives that enhance
operational performance, sustainability, and safety across diverse educational settings. His
experience spans both higher education and K–12 institutions, where he has worked closely
with private and public jurisdictions, administrators, educators, and community
stakeholders to create spaces that support learning and growth. This cross-sector
perspective has deepened his understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities
within our field.
He is particularly interested in contributing to SoCalAPPA’s efforts in Membership and
Community Engagement, and any other areas that will support SoCalAPPA.

Matthew Vecchio

Business Partner Liaison

Business Development Manager, Higher Education Western Region – Door Security Solution ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions

What's Happening at SoCalAPPA

Events
SoCal APPA Logo

Supervisors Tool Kit

July 15-17, 2026

Hosted by The Claremont Colleges
Claremont, CA

SoCal APPA Logo

Drive-in Workshop

March 27, 2026

Hosted by University of San Diego

SoCal APPA Logo

Monthly Board Meeting

February 27, 2026

https://csun.zoom.us/j/84100375008?
pwd=y77VUvxjopd6mwRPAmYa7my3uXX2Xj.1

PCAPPA Annual Conference

PCAPPA Annual Conference

October 25-27, 2026

Vancouver, British Columbia ,Canada

  • SoCal APPA Logo

Get in Touch

Let us know how we can assist you

Find us at the office

9151 Atlanta Avenue 6126, Huntington Beach, CA 92615 

Contact Us

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