Staff Spotlight: Lance Hamilton

Although Steven “Lance” Hamilton wasn’t in a leadership role when he first joined UC Davis Facilities Management nearly 13 years ago, he has since grown into one that keeps him constantly engaged with both people and complex systems as the supervisor for fire systems and security alarms.

Lance joined Facilities Management in 2012 as a technician, where his days were spent handling preventive maintenance, responding to fire alarm calls, and applying the design skills he had developed during 17 years of prior experience. In 2018, he stepped into a supervisory role, shifting his focus from primarily hands-on work to leading a team and guiding operations.

Today, Lance’s responsibilities extend far beyond the technical side of the job. He oversees the fire alarm and security shop, managing personnel, supporting staff, and ensuring daily operations run smoothly. While he supervises the security shop, he relies on his lead and IPE to handle much of the day-to-day fieldwork. His role has broadened to now overseeing project development and execution for both fire alarms and fire sprinkler operations. Even while depending on his lead staff to manage field operations, Lance remains closely involved in making sure everything stays on track.

With a small team responsible for a growing number of campus buildings, efficiency is critical. Lance said the workload has steadily increased over the years without a corresponding increase in staffing, making time management and teamwork essential. Even so, he credits his team for helping meet those challenges. He values both the strong crew he leads and the support he receives from his own supervisor, creating an environment where challenges feel manageable rather than overwhelming.

For Lance, it’s the people behind the work who leave the greatest impact, more than the systems themselves. He enjoys creating opportunities for his staff to succeed, stepping back when needed so they can take ownership while still being available to support them. Watching his team collaborate, solve problems, and take pride in their work is what keeps him motivated.

One of the most memorable projects Lance worked on was a major fire alarm replacement at Shields Library. The project required replacing hundreds of devices throughout the large, four-story building while classes and daily operations continued around them. Over the course of two months, the team carefully balanced installing a new system while keeping the old one functional, minimizing disruption and ensuring safety throughout the process. For Lance, the project highlighted just how capable and dedicated his team truly is.

Outside of work, Lance is passionate about golf and can often be found out on the course. He also enjoys hiking through the Vacaville hills with his girlfriend and their dogs.