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Banking-Industry Veteran named CFO of Concordia

Karl Hoenecke

Irvine, CA., Jan. 30, 2025 – After a national search, Concordia University Irvine has named Francene LaPoint as its Vice President of Finance and Business Operations and Chief Financial Officer.

“I am excited to be joining the Concordia University Irvine team during a period of inspired vision and transformation,” LaPoint said. “Concordia’s mission and core convictions guided by Christ’s Great Commission are just what our society needs, and I am honored to join a gospel-centered, faithful team of faculty, staff and administrators as we serve and support our students in achieving their academic and life goals.”

LaPoint first received her Certified Public Accountant license in 1998 while employed at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. She brings more than 25 years of experience leading finance and accounting teams, most recently as a Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Citizens Business Bank. She was responsible for all aspects of accounting and financial reporting including preparation of financial documents for the governing board, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory entities. She was also responsible for the implementation of new accounting standards, development of internal accounting controls, and policies and procedures. Prior to that, she served in a similarly complex role at Kinecta Federal Credit Union.

LaPoint serves as an active member and past president of Soroptimist International of Orange, because of her passion to empower young people with opportunities for education and economic advancement.

“With Francene LaPoint’s specific areas of acumen, she will guide the university as we exceed a $100 million annual budget in the coming years,” Dr. Michael Thomas, Concordia’s president, stated. “Additionally, she brings the heart of a Christian servant and teacher whose vocation will be used to expand our mission in Orange County and beyond.”

About Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine, part of the Concordia University System, is a private, nonprofit Christian university that is proud to be one of the founding institutions of higher education in Irvine, California. For nearly 50 years, we have prepared students for lives of learning, service, and leadership through distinctive Lutheran education. Today, we educate nearly 4,000 students on campus and online, and our alumni network has grown to over 25,000 worldwide. We’re recognized as a top-ranked university for Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report and a fierce NCAA Division II PacWest competitor. Learn more about our mission, community, and heritage.

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