Employee Profiles

Umut Brown

Director of Hospitality & Conference Services

As Director of Hospitality & Conference Services at UC San Diego, I collaborate across campus to create seamless, welcoming experiences for guests and programs. Our responsibilities include managing the Hospitality Information Desks, summer conferences, and RRSS event venues across campus. I prioritize operational excellence and data-driven planning—aligning pricing, forecasting, and policy compliance—while focusing on service, safety, and strategic goals.

Outside of work, I’m a family-first planner who also enjoys hunting for collectibles (Pop Mart fans, I see you!). I’m a big fan of Universal Studios—especially in the fall—and I’m an avid reader. The same attention to detail and creativity I apply in my work also shows up in my weekend projects.

Ryan Cones

Director of Building and Custodial Services

As the Director of Building and Custodial Services, I have the privilege of leading a talented team of professionals who work tirelessly to maintain and improve our residential and dining facilities. My role involves developing strategic plans, providing guidance and support, and fostering a positive work environment.

Outside of work, I'm grateful to spend quality time with my family, whether that's camping with my wife and two kids or cheering on my daughter at her high school events. I'm also passionate about giving back to my community, serving as Den Leader and Cub Master for my son's Cub Scout Pack and supporting his scouting adventures.

Kacy Marume

Director of Marketing and Communications

The Job: Kacy oversees marketing and communications for IPPS, HDH, The Bookstore, Triton Print and Digital Media, and the Early Childhood Education Center.

Her Experience: Kacy likes the challenge of being the first to try something - she was part of the first graduating class at UC Merced, she was the first marketing and client support lead for IPPS, and now she is the inaugural director of the RRSS Marketing and Communications team.

Kacy began her UC career as a student at UC Merced, where she worked as an undergraduate research assistant in literature (feel free to ask her about her niche specialty sometime!). She has worked at UC San Diego for 15 years, all of which were spent in IPPS. Most recently, she led the IPPS Marketing and Client Experience team, driving cross functional campus projects such as the marketing for the Campus Partnership Program (Thermo Fisher, UCI, Pepsi, and Red Bull), the BFS client relationship management program, and the supporting infrastructure for the Oracle Procurement and Payables rollout (e.g. Camp IPPS, the IPPS Advisory Committee, and the Weekly Digest).

With such a talented and creative marketing and communications team at her helm, Kacy is excited to elevate the RRSS brand, forge relationships across campus, drive engagement that results in measurable outcomes, and foster an organizational culture that leverages the team's expertise. The team will play a vital role in connecting the campus community with the innovative services and solutions offered by RRSS.

Some of the other UC San Diego hats she wears includes being a Leaders for Equity Advancement and Diversity (LEAD) Fellow, a member of the EDI Community of Practice, the outgoing chair of the Marketing Council, a participant in the Trademarks and Licensing Committee, and a board member of the Pacific Islander and Asian American Staff Association.

In Her Free Time: She is a 4th generation San Diegan, which means she doesn't spend much time at the beach. She likes trying different arts and crafts - stained glass is her favorite. She loves the theater, shopping, art museums, watching different types of sports (she's a recovering Chargers fan), and traveling when she can. She's a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts and still gets together with her crew, minus any camping. Most important to her is spending time with family and friends.