La Jolla Country Day names new board president

The Board of Trustees of La Jolla Country Day School announced Wednesday that Howard Ziment will succeed departing Board President Donald Ings.

Ziment, 46, is the father of two Country Day students and has been a nationally recognized leader in the health care marketing industry. He has served on the board since 2007 and has served on the board’s Finance Committee and as chair of the board’s Communication and Marketing Committee. Ziment will immediately begin serving as president-designate, working with Ings in transition until Ings’ board term ends in June. The board’s formal vote for Ziment will occur in May.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to be able to apply all that I’ve learned in business to help this school,’’ Ziment said Tuesday. “This is a great institution. Don Ings, the board, Chris Schuck and his administration, this world-class faculty and our families have built something of great value to the San Diego community. I take it as an honor to follow in Don’s footsteps.’’

Ziment, a Santa Luz resident, credited Ings with leading the school community through an ambitious, $45-million building project that has transformed the 24-acre campus into a state-of-the-art educational facility. Ziment said he takes it as a challenge to lead the board in building on this legacy.

“We need to make sure every family in San Diego is aware of the opportunities here at Country Day,’’ Ziment said. “And we need to continue building an endowment that will sustain the school into a long future.’’

Don Ings, a retired Caterpillar Inc. vice president, said he was glad to be able to hand over the reins, to an executive of Ziment’s experience and talents.

“While the board was rebuilding this campus, Howard was also helping us modernize our communications and marketing,’’ Ings said. “Howard is a natural leader. He brings energy and enthusiasm to his efforts and that is infectious. He cares about this school the way a parent should and he brings great business acumen to the table.’’

Ziment will work closely with Chris Schuck, the Head of School who recently signed a five-year contract to continue in his position.

“Losing a leader of Don Ings’ talents can be daunting to a school,’’ Schuck said. “We are grateful for the years of service Don gave this community. At the same time, as Head of School, I am extremely happy that Howard Ziment has agreed to take the helm. He already has been of great service to this school and I look forward to his leadership in this new role.’’