Business Partner Spotlight: Emerson David

Emerson David’s career at UC Davis is one that has come full circle, starting as a student assistant and growing into a leadership role that helps shape the university’s technology systems today.

He first joined in the fall of 1995 as a student assistant, providing desktop support for the Electric Shop when Facilities Management was still known as the Physical Plant. What began as a student job quickly turned into a long-term career spanning roughly 30 years. In those early days, Emerson’s work was deeply hands-on and ranged from personally sourcing computer parts, upgrading machines, and ensuring staff could stay connected and productive.

Those hands-on experiences laid the foundation for the work he does today and offer a perspective on just how much technology has changed.

Over time, Emerson’s role evolved alongside the campus’s technology needs. He went on to serve as IT Manager for Facilities Management before stepping into his current position as Information Systems Manager about ten years ago, following the formation of AdminIT. Today, he leads a team responsible for supporting and developing business information systems across Facilities Management, Human Resources, and parts of Safety Services.

His work now centers on building custom web applications and integrating systems to help departments run more efficiently. While he still relies on his technical background, much of his role focuses on leadership and coordination that scales across multiple units. Emerson said he approaches these challenges as puzzles, whether it’s streamlining a process, reducing costs, or designing systems that can be reused rather than rebuilt from scratch.

One of the ongoing challenges he faces is managing older systems that must remain operational even as infrastructure evolves. This “technical debt,” as he says, requires balancing immediate needs with long-term improvements, often without the time or resources to fully replace outdated tools. Even so, Emerson and his team continue to adapt, ensuring continuity across critical operations.

Outside of work, Emerson’s passion for volleyball keeps him busy year-round. Whether he’s playing in local leagues, training, or traveling to watch collegiate teams compete, the sport is a constant in his life. He also enjoys building custom bicycles, especially Italian steel road bikes and restored 1990s mountain bikes, combining craftsmanship with his love of the outdoors.