Name: Aaron J. McCoy

Title: Business Operations Manager

Department/unit: Building and Administrative Service Center

Location: 7th Floor, Franklin

When I started working at UCOP: January 11, 2012

What I do for UCOP in five words or less: Financial Management, UCOP Building Services

The best part about working for OP: The work-life balance that I have experienced here has been extremely valuable to me and my family. I worked at UCSF for 6 years, in the Minnesota St. building, and my commute could be really difficult, up to two hours if I was stuck in Giants game day traffic. I live in Oakland so really appreciate the shorter commute and added time I get with my family. I even stop in sometimes to visit my son’s kindergarten class during lunchtime. I am also enjoying my opportunity to work with a great Building Services Team.

Something you don’t know about me: I have been married to my beautiful wife Jamie for 7 years and we have two handsome boys (AJ, 5, and Kai, 4). Our favorite locations for vacation are Catalina Island and North Lake Tahoe. We also enjoy the outdoors by fishing and camping.

One weird fact about the town I grew up in: In 2005, the movie “Coach Carter” was released, about a basketball team from my hometown of Richmond, Calif. I saw the movie and thought it was a good story. The movie had a positive impact on the students but in my opinion stretched the truth a bit.

If I could have any job in the world (besides the one I have now), I would: I would love to be a professional sport fisherman! I do a lot of fishing in the California Delta, anywhere from Sacramento to Suisun Bay, and especially like fishing for black bass and sturgeon. The largest fish I ever caught was a 5.5-foot, 80-pound sturgeon.

Name: Tracy FitzGerald

Title: Traffic coordinator

Department/unit: Communications

Location: 7th floor, Franklin

When I started working at UCOP: April 25, 2011, after a 17-year absence

What I do for OP in five words or less: Coordinate projects through communications department

The best part about working for OP: I love the diversity. I enjoy meeting everyone and learning about each person’s background. I also have a chance to work on diverse projects, from Student Affairs to Human Resources, Government Relations and Alumni Affairs, and it doesn’t stop there. I’ve learned so much about all aspects of the UC system in just the short time I have been here.

Something you don’t know about me: I have many hobbies and interests that keep me busy. One that I enjoy with my husband is supporting his craft of creating journals made from old book covers and dust jackets. During this time of year my husband has many crafts fairs that he attends all over the Bay Area. I help him sell his journals when I have the time or at a particularly large fair. I also help him with marketing and designing his business cards and signage. We also both volunteer for a craft organization called Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco, which has two crafts fairs each year and helps teach entrepreneurship to high school students. We will be selling journals at this year’s UCOP Crafts Fair and hope to see you all there.

One weird fact about the town I grew up in: Two television shows from the 1960s were filmed in Santa Barbara, Calif.— Batman (all the external shots) and Gilligan’s Island (Santa Barbara Harbor at the beginning of the show).

If I could have any job in the world (besides the one I have now), I would: … be a world-traveling photographer.

Name: Cindy Pukatch

Title: Human Resources Analyst

Department/unit: Local UCOP Human Resources

Location: Sixth floor, Franklin

When I started working at UCOP: June 6, 2011

What I do for OP in five words or less: Local HR projects implementation

The best part about working for OP: Many opportunities to learn from experienced coworkers

Something you don’t know about me: I’m an Oakland Zoo docent and vice president of their Docent Council. I’ve been a docent since 2007 and volunteer 10 to 12 hours each month. I’ve handled boas, ferrets, hedgehogs, tortoises, rabbits, skinks and bearded dragons. We are always looking for new volunteers for both the Docent and Animal Management Programs. Schedules are flexible, you get lots of free training before starting an assignment, and the work is so gratifying! Anyone who is interested can get more details on the Oakland Zoo website.

One weird fact about the town I grew up in: St. Louis, Missouri, is home to the oldest institution of higher learning west of the Mississippi – Saint Louis University.

If I could have any job in the world (besides the one I have now), I would: Work in the health care field as a medical technologist.

Name: Dilcie Paschall

Title: Benefits Analyst

Department/unit: Benefits Programs & Strategy

Location: 6th floor, Kaiser Building

When I started working at UCOP: 1997

What I do for OP in five words or less: I watch your money grow.

The best part about working for OP: The diversity here is wonderful. It is great to see such a kaleidoscope of people working together to make the university the best it can be.

Something you don’t know about me: I play the djembe, a West African drum of the Mandinka people. Its origin dates back to the great Mali Empire of the 12th century.

One weird fact about the town I grew up in: The 8-square-mile city of Santa Monica, California, has been featured in hundreds of films. The movie 17 Again was filmed at my alma mater, Santa Monica High School.

If I could have any job in the world (besides the one I have now): I would start a nonprofit to educate women over 40 about what it takes to stay healthy.