David Phillips
Associate Vice President, Energy and Sustainability
University of California, Office of the President
David Phillips provides strategic leadership for energy and sustainability initiatives across the University of California, which includes ten campuses, five medical centers, and three national labs. David and his 10-person team help connect researchers, students and operations staff to integrate sustainable practices in support the University’s mission. David has been in this role since 2015.
One key focus is developing plans and actions to reach systemwide carbon neutrality by 2025. David’s operational responsibilities include managing the UC Wholesale Power Program, which supplies low-carbon electricity to all or part of seven campuses, and implementing the UC Biomethane Program, which has developed biogas projects to supplant 10 percent of UC’s natural gas use.
David was formerly Director of Utilities at UC Davis, where he managed their city-scale water, waste and energy systems. While at Davis, he led teams that developed a 63-acre behind-the-meter solar power plant, constructed an on-site waste treatment system to reduce campus landfill disposal by 25 percent, and implemented several massive wastewater recycling projects. Phillips was also a key contributor in the successful partnership with local agencies to develop a new treated surface water supply for the campus.
David has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from UC Davis and is a California registered professional engineer.
