Board of Trustees

Designated as the “keepers of the university mission,” the Board of Trustees provides perspective, clarity, and direction to the president and administration.

• Larry Acosta, DMin

  Christian Ministries

  Founder of Urban Youth Workers Institute, Hispanic Ministry Center, and KidWorks, Acosta continues to focus on the development of the next generation of urban leaders for transformation ministry through his speaking, writing, and mentoring.

• Jesus Arriaga

  Technology Executive

  Arriaga is a technology executive, consultant, and advisor focused on providing strategic technology and architecture services for business solutions in start-up, turnaround, and established environments.

• Matthews Chacko, MD

  Interventional Cardiologist

  Chacko is assistant professor of medicine and director of peripheral vascular interventions at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, with a specialty in interventional cardiology. He earned his undergraduate degree from Azusa Pacific University and was honored as APU’s Alumnus of the Year in 2013.

• Sally Colace

  Christian Ministries

  Colace and her husband have served on the founding boards of several Christian ministries. She is also a Bible teacher and advisor for a Christian drug and alcohol recovery home.

• Lynette Ilertsen

  Teacher/Administrator

  Ilertsen recently retired from Christian private education, having served for 40 years as a teacher and administrator. She is the proud wife and parent of APU alumni.

• Ray Johnston

  Senior Pastor

  Johnston is the founding pastor of a church in Granite Bay, California, and president of a leadership consulting group. He is also an author and sought-after conference speaker.

• Richard Link

  Business Executive

  Link is a seasoned financial executive, most recently serving as the group vice president controller and chief accounting officer for Smart & Final Stores. He brings financial, accounting, and strategic planning experience to APU’s Board of Trustees.

• Vinicio López, EdD

  Higher Education Administrator

  López is dean for academic affairs at the School of ESL, International Ed, and Transitional Studies at City College of San Francisco. His career in higher education is marked by a passion for international students, first-generation students, and students transitioning from community colleges to four-year institutions such as APU.

• Cathy McIntyre, MAS

  Former Conference Consultant

  McIntyre began her professional career in the hospitality industry, then started a consulting business providing logistic and conference management support to a variety of corporate clients. A longtime advocate of Christian education, McIntyre most recently served as board president of a K-12 school.

• Thomas Miller, Chair

  Business Executive

  Miller is a coach at Sacred Harvest Foundation working with faith-based ministries who humbly serve the needs of Orange County, California. Previously he spent 35-plus years as a real estate investment/development executive.

• Lucie Moore, JD

  Attorney

  Moore is an independent trustee and chair of the governance committee for two funds. Prior to that, she was a partner at a firm specializing in corporate finance, securities law, and mergers and acquisitions.

• Adam J. Morris, PhD

  President

  Morris is president of Azusa Pacific University and has 30 years of experience in Christian higher education. Prior to this role, he was executive vice president, chief transformation officer, and chief institutional advancement officer at Biola University.

• Kelli O’Gorman, CPA

  Finance Executive

  O’Gorman is a seasoned finance executive with more than 20 years of experience leading finance organizations in public and private high-technology companies. She is a Chief Financial Officer, and former principal consultant and senior advisor in a consulting firm in Silicon Valley.

• Lindsey Rehfeld, MA

  Business Executive

  Rehfeld has been a CEO in the senior homecare industry for 17 years. Prior to that role, she spent 14 years in Fortune 500 environments developing her leadership, marketing, and financial expertise. Rehfeld is an APU alumna (BS ’86) and a former School of Business and Management faculty member.

• Rishi Sriram, PhD

  Professor and Higher Education Administrator

  Sriram is associate professor of higher education and student affairs, graduate program director for the Department of Educational Leadership, and faculty-in-residence for Brooks Residential College, a living-learning community of approximately 400 students at Baylor University. His research interests include the development of talent, student affairs professional practice, and college student retention, engagement, achievement, and learning.

• Tim Stripe

  Real Estate Development Executive

  Stripe is copresident/ownership partner of a real estate development firm that focuses on timeshare and hotel development.

• Albert Tate, Vice Chair

  Lead Pastor

  Tate is the founder and lead pastor of Fellowship Church, a thriving multicultural church in Southern California. He is also the executive director of Harambee Ministries and serves on the board of counsel for the Global Leadership Network, Stadia Church Planting Network, and the Fuller Youth Institute.

• Robert Tiede

  Business Executive

  Tiede is the former president and CEO of Sonoco, Inc. He is an entrepreneur with vast business, board, and strategic planning experience.

• Larry Walkemeyer, DMin

  Lead Pastor

  Walkemeyer is lead pastor of a large, multiethnic church that has planted dozens of other churches. He is also director of equipping and spiritual engagement for Exponential and the author of several books.