Project Description

Azusa Pacific University President Adam I. Morris, PhD, named Westport, CT resident Aaron A. Dahlke, CPA, vice president for finance and administration/chief financial officer after a nationwide search led by CarterBaldwin Executive Search. Aaron’s more than 25 years of professional experience as a corporate finance leader lies in strategic planning, financial modeling, and implementing organizational change for global companies, primarily in the aviation industry.

“I am thrilled that Aaron will be joining the senior leadership team at Azusa Pacific University,” said Morris. “His gifts and abilities, financial acumen, entrepreneurial spirit, executive-level leadership at a large, complex organization, and his genuine heart for our mission align perfectly with what Azusa Pacific University needs in its next vice president and chief financial officer.”

In this role, Aaron will develop the university’s financial policies and set the direction of all financial functions, including accounting, budget, credit, insurance, tax, and treasury. The CFO is also the chief business officer responsible for human resources, information technology, facilities management, and auxiliary services. Reporting to the president and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, Aaron will provide strategic management and overall financial leadership to the university.

Aaron assumes this position after most recently serving as chief financial officer for Aircastle Limited, a company that acquires, leases, and sells commercial jet aircraft with an asset value of $6.5 B. In this role, he directed and oversaw all financial activities, planning, and analysis, as well as communication with investors and shareholders. He co-led a strategic planning process, oversaw financial reporting, accounting, procurement, information technology, tax activities, internal audit, and co-led HR, payroll, and benefits. His career accomplishments include increasing cash flow by 113 percent in 2021, lowering net debt-to-equity while increasing the investor base, facilitating effective team collaboration, and restructuring investor relations efforts.

Aaron is a certified public accountant and holds a BS in Accounting from California State University, San Bernardino.