Community Member Milestones
- Welcome to Caltech:
Tom Greene
Tom joined Caltech on May 27 as the executive director of IPAC. An astrophysicist, former director of the NASA Ames Center for Exoplanet Studies, and former chief of the NASA Ames Astrophysics Branch, Tom brings years of experience as a scientist and leader. He has also led numerous studies of protostars and exoplanets and has served as co-investigator for two instruments on the James Webb Space Telescope: NIRCam and MIRI.
- Welcome (back) to Caltech:
Matthew Berbée
Matt began as assistant vice president for facilities operations and services on May 12. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for the maintenance, repair, and operation of the Institute’s campus and facilities. Previously the vice president of facilities operations, engineering and sustainability at NBCUniversal, Matt also served in various roles at Caltech from 2002 to 2018, including as director of maintenance and energy services on campus and as energy manager at NASA’s JPL, which is managed by Caltech.
- Welcome to Caltech:
Susan Hatchett
Susan joined Caltech as an international student advisor in International Student Programs in March 2025. In this role, she provides expert immigration advising, ensures institutional compliance with federal regulations, and supports international students through personalized guidance and educational programming. Previously, Susan was the interim assistant director of International Student Programs at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. She also has 16 years of experience in international education including curriculum development and English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching.
- Welcome to Caltech:
Kevyn Garcia
Kevyn joined Caltech on April 28, 2025, as the audience services manager in the Office of Communications and External Relations. In this role, he will supervise audience services for Caltech’s auditoriums, train front-of-house staff to provide exceptional guest service, and assist with event operations as well as the Friends of Beckman Auditorium donor group. Previously, Kevyn served as front-of-house and special events manager with Irvine Barclay Theatre.
- Welcome to Caltech:
Chris Kalaw
Chris joined Caltech as the new recycling and materials coordinator in October 2024. In this role, he is helping to manage the Institute’s recycling program and prioritize cost-effective, local, and sustainable purchases. Chris also works at USC as a sustainability assistant and holds a BS in public health.
- Celebrating a promotion:
Lauren Breeyear
On April 7, 2025, Lauren was promoted to division chair assistant and faculty affairs manager in the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE). She has been with BBE since 2016, first as the divisional events coordinator and then options manager for computation and neural systems and neurobiology. In her new role, Lauren will manage, direct, and oversee all administrative functions for the division chair’s office and faculty affairs.