Leadership Team

Brent Richardson

Executive Chairman of the Board

Brent Richardson joined Grand Canyon University in 2003 as Chief Executive Officer and has led the herculean effort to transform a nearly bankrupt university into a world-class institution with a reputation as "the university with a heart." Under his leadership, the University has pursued a unique vision and secured solid partnerships to attract some of the finest minds in Christian education. As of June 2008, Mr. Richardson assumed the role of Executive Chairman of the Board and continues to take the University to new heights.

Prior to joining the University, Mr. Richardson served as the CEO of Masters Online, an organization that was formed with the goal of providing an unmatched university experience to educators in and around Houston, without forcing them to travel to a university campus. He was instrumental in growing and expanding this effort across the nation, and then for partnering with Grand Canyon University in 2003. That partnership resulted in new GCU degree programs, including the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with emphases in both Reading and Instructional Technology, Master of Education in Special Education and Administration, and Master of Arts in Teaching.

Mr.Richardson earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL).

Brian Mueller

President and Chief Executive Officer

Brian Mueller joined Grand Canyon University in July 2008 to usher in a new era for the institution - from an entrepreneurial venture to a market-supported public company. Taking the successes he experienced at Apollo Group (the parent company of the University of Phoenix), Mr. Mueller guided Grand Canyon University to the first IPO on Wall Street after a nearly four-month drought when it went public in November 2008.

Immediately prior to joining Grand Canyon University, Mr. Mueller was president and a director of Apollo Group. He also served in a variety of positions with the University of Phoenix Online, including CEO, chief operating officer and senior vice president. Under his leadership, online enrollment grew from 3,500 to 340,000.

Mr. Mueller began his higher education career as a professor at Concordia University. Mr. Mueller earned a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Concordia University.

Dr. Stan Meyer

Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Stan Meyer joined Grand Canyon University in 2008 with more than 25 years of experience in higher education. Prior to joining the University, Dr. Meyer served the Apollo Group, Inc. from 2002 through 2008, as Executive Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment, as well as Division Director for Doctoral Programs and Regional Vice President of Axia College at University of Phoenix, a subsidiary of the Apollo Group, Inc.

Dr. Meyer previously spent 19 years in higher education serving in various administrative and academic roles throughout the Concordia University system, including admissions, enrollment, financial aid, student retention, distance education and faculty. He also serves on the board of Phoenix-based Valley Lutheran High School.

Dr. Meyer earned his Doctorate of Education in Institutional Management and Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University (California) and his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Concordia University (Nebraska).

Dan Bachus

Chief Financial Officer

Dan Bachus joined Grand Canyon University in 2008 and brings more than eight years of executive level finance and leadership experience to his position.

Prior to joining the University, Mr. Bachus served as Chief Financial Officer for the Loreto Bay Company (2006-2008); as the Chief Accounting Officer and Controller of Apollo Group, Inc., a for-profit, post-secondary education company and the parent company of the University of Phoenix (2000-2006); and as an audit senior manager for Deloitte & Touche LLP (1992-2000).

Mr. Bachus also is a certified public accountant and serves on the Board of Directors of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center.

Mr. Bachus earned his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Arizona and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Chris Richardson

General Counsel

Chris Richardson

Chris Richardson has been serving as GCU's General Counsel since 2007 and as a director since 2004.

From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Richardson served as legal counsel in the University's Office of General Counsel. Prior to 2004, Mr. Richardson served as the chief operating officer for Masters Online, LLC, a company that provided online educational programs and marketing services to several regionally and nationally accredited universities.

Mr. Richardson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University, and Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona College of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Dr. Kathy Player

President

Kathy Player Portrait

Since joining Grand Canyon University in 1998, Dr. Player has also served the University as the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, as well as Dean of the Ken Blanchard College of Business.

Dr. Player serves as a board member for St. Luke's Behavioral Health Hospital. She was the second Vice President for the American Nurses Association (2006-2007) and the Arizona Nurses' Foundation (2006-present) and past president of the Arizona Nurses' Association (2001-2005). She has authored numerous publications, including Words of Wisdom from Pivotal Nurse Leaders (Sept. 2008).

Dr. Player holds a Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University (Florida); a Master of Business Administration from Grand Canyon University (Arizona); a Master of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University (Arizona); a Master of Science in Counseling from Nova Southeastern University (Florida); and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Joseph's College (Maine).

Faculty and Staff

Hank Radda, Ph.D. Provost Dean, College of Doctoral Studies	K. Mark Wooden, Ph.D. Dean, College of Arts & Sciences	Kimberly LaPrade, Ph.D. Dean, College of Education
Claude Pensis Dean, College of Fine Arts and Production	Anne M. McNamara, Ph.D., R.N. Dean, College of Nursing	Pastor Tim Griffin Vice President of Student Services and Dean of Students
Antoinette Marks, Ph.D. Dean, Associate Studies