Senior Administration

Andrew K. Benton

President and Chief Executive Officer

Appointed in 2000 as Pepperdine University's seventh president, Andrew K. Benton continues to lead Pepperdine to prominence among the nation's top universities. He currently serves as chair of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and is former chair of the American Council on Education (ACE). Benton was also chair of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), served on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and is a member of the President’s Cabinet of the West Coast Conference.

Rick Marrs

Provost and Chief Academic Officer

As the provost, Rick R. Marrs is Pepperdine University's chief academic officer, providing academic leadership to the University, its five schools and colleges, and the University libraries. The provost reports directly to the president and devotes significant time to issues of academic planning, program development, assessment, and the advancement of scholarship.

Gary Hanson

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

As the University's executive vice president and chief operating officer, Gary Hanson's responsibilities encompass broad operational, financial, budgeting, legal, regulatory, governmental, human resource, construction and campus physical planning, physical plant, administrative and related duties. He also serves as the University's assistant corporate secretary and as a director of its U.K. Charity Corporation and Argentine Foundation.

Keith Hinkle

Senior Vice President for Advancement and Public Affairs and Chief Development Officer

Keith Hinkle serves as Pepperdine University's senior vice president for advancement and public affairs and chief development officer. A member of the University's senior administrative team since 2006, he also serves on the president's Steering Committee. Hinkle oversees advancement at the University including alumni affairs, annual giving, major gifts, leadership gifts, advancement services, gifts and records, corporations and foundations, planned giving, donor relations, and events. He also has responsibility for public affairs including university marketing and communications and public relations and news.

Jeff Pippin

Senior Vice President for Investments and Chief Investment Officer

Jeff Pippin is Pepperdine University's senior vice president and chief investment officer. He is responsible for the management of the University's endowment, general reserves, treasury, trust and annuities, and real estate. He is a member of the president's cabinet and is a liaison to the Board of Regents' Investment Committee. He also serves as president of the University's three affiliated management and holding entities.