Bianca Gallegos
To most people, retirement means the end to a career but to a few, like Timothy “Tim” Oliver, vice president of administrative services, retirement means the beginning of a career.
Oliver, who joined Pierce College in November 1999, recently announced his retirement effective December, to spend more time with his family and work part-time.
“I’ve been planning on retiring for about two years,” said Oliver, who has four grown kids: Michael, 22, Amanda, 26, Jacque, 42 and Mark, 43 and is grandfather to five: Alyssa, 9, Madison, 10, Jack, 11, Sydney, 12, and Spencer, 14.
Oliver said he’s looking forward to his retirement.
One of his immediate plans after retiring is a one-month trip to Paris scheduled for March or April with his wife of 12 years, Dotti who works as a travel consultant.
After he returns, he plans to work part-time consulting and teaching leadership courses at the UC system as well as Cal State and private universities, specifically in Ventura, Santa Barbara and the Los Angeles area.
Teaching courses in leadership is nothing new to Oliver.
Prior to working at Pierce, he developed and presented leadership and management programs for educators, government leaders and executives from more than 30 nations.
In August 1998, Oliver assisted the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office in introducing Asia’s first comprehensive economic recovery plan.
Oliver also plans to consult businesses in the areas of organizational behavior, strategic planning, industrial psychology, business organization, management and supervision.
During his seven years at Pierce, his key responsibilities included managing a $60 million annual operating budget and a $300 million capital construction budget.
Furthermore, he overlooked facilities and construction, community relations, master planning, enterprise services and managed the college’s bond program.
He also plays a role in handling the college’s academic programs, student services and shared governance processes.
“I consider one of my biggest accomplishments is to have been instrumental in returning Pierce College to financial stability,” Oliver said.
“I think it’s a very interesting job and it’s multi-faceted. I’m exposed to a tremendous amount of diverse tasks and challenges ranging from my involvement in education and student services and planning for the future of the college,” he added.
A great supporter of education, Oliver is a model student himself.
He earned bachelor’s in economics from USC, a one-year postgraduate Certificate in Industrial Relations and Organizational Behavior from UCLA and a master’s in business administration from Cal State Dominguez Hills.
For President Robert Garber, his retirement didn’t come as a surprise.
Oliver voiced his desires to retire soon after Garber became the new president.
“It became a question of when he was going to retire,” said Garber.
“His leaving is bittersweet. He’s a great friend and wonderful colleague.
“I wish him the very best. I think he deserves a great retirement. There will be big shoes to fill at the college,” he said.
Garber said he appreciates that Oliver stayed long enough to the point where he was up to speed on the budget and the bond program.
Although ready to move on, Oliver said his experience working at Pierce has been pleasant, “I think [it’s] a great place to study and to work and I’ve been very proud to have served the…college community,” he said.
Vice President of administrative services Tim Oliver will retire this month to spend more time with his family. He and wife Dotti are planning a trip to Paris immediately following his departure. ()
