Executive Leadership

John C. Reynolds, Ph.D.

President

Dr. Reynolds is the first President of Los Angeles Pacific University, having founded LAPU’s founding institutions, Azusa Pacific Online University (2011) and Azusa Pacific University College (2014). Reynolds served as CIO and Executive Vice President for 16 years at Azusa Pacific University before being named President of Los Angeles Pacific University in 2018. Reynolds earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science and information systems, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education. His research interests in leadership, organizational effectiveness, change management, and strategic thinking have resulted in several publications in leadership and strategy, particularly relating to nonprofit organizations.

In addition to his years of experience in higher education, Reynolds has worked in the mining industry and as the global CIO for World Vision International, a large, private international relief organization (1991–2000). A regular speaker at national conferences throughout the world, he has also consulted in more than 40 countries and traveled to more than 80 countries to speak, consult, and advise national NGO leaders. He serves on several nonprofit and educational boards, including African Enterprise (USA), African Enterprise (Canada), Brewer Direct, LCC International University (Lithuania), Opportunity International, Christian Leadership Alliance, and API Educational Foundation (South Africa).

Wayne Herman, Ph.D.

Vice President / CAO

Wayne Herman was named Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Los Angeles Pacific University (LAPU) in July 2018, and also serves as the university’s accreditation liaison officer. He previously served as Chief of Staff and Interim Academic Dean.

Prior to his tenure at LAPU, Herman served as Chief Academic Officer at Cornerstone Institute in Cape Town, South Africa. Herman holds a B.A. in Comparative History from the University of Washington, an M.Div. from Western Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Hilda Hovsepian, MBA

Vice President / CFO

Hilda Hovsepian serves as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Los Angeles Pacific University and has been part of the LAPU team since 2015. Prior to her tenure at LAPU, Hovsepian held finance leadership roles in various industries, including media and entertainment.

Most recently, she served as vice president of finance and revenue management at Disney Interactive Media Group working in strategic planning, mergers & acquisitions, as well as new product launches. Hovsepian holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Point Loma Nazarene College and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Andy Benis, M.A.

Associate Vice President, Marketing and Outreach

With over 20 years of marketing and communications management experience, Andy Benis was named Associate Vice President of Marketing and Outreach in August 2019. He previously served as Director of Marketing.

Prior to LAPU, Benis served as a national director of high school marketing programs for DeVry University, as well as senior leadership roles in marketing and communications in the technology and real estate sectors. Benis holds a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science from the University of California at Irvine and a master’s degree in organizational psychology from United States International University.

Lindsey Gonzalez, M.A.

Associate Vice President, Human Resources and Organizational Development

Lindsey Gonzales served as the Director of Human Resources for Los Angeles Pacific University since 2014. She was named Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development in August 2019 and also serves as the university’s Title IX coordinator.

Prior to her tenure at LAPU, Gonzales served as the Director of Human Resources at The Arthritis Foundation, a nonprofit health charity. Gonzales holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from California State University, Fullerton and a master’s degree in leadership and organizational studies from Azusa Pacific University.