Board of Trustees

Pastor Roberts was elected as the executive secretary of the Pacific Union Conference in August 2021. Roberts comes to this role having previously served as president of the Southeastern California Conference, a position she held for eight years. She has an extensive history of service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Pacific Union, influenced by the example of her missionary parents. Her various roles have included pastor, associate youth director, school chaplain, summer camp director, religion teacher, and member of the board of trustees at La Sierra University. Before beginning her ministry in the Pacific Union, Roberts served as a dean and teacher at Cedar Lake Academy in Michigan. Pastor Roberts is the first female executive secretary of the Pacific Union Conference, and although she has received an unusual level of attention because of her gender, she chooses to focus on the work of the church. “We have a ministry to do and things to accomplish,” she says. She has degrees from Loma Linda University (BS), Andrews University (MA), and Claremont School of Theology (D.Min). Roberts especially enjoys the diversity of the Pacific Union. An avid world traveler, she has visited more than 90 countries and intends to continue adding at least one each year.

Steven Herber, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director of the St. Helena Institute for Plastic Surgery. Herber earned a bachelor of science degree from Pacific Union College in Angwin, Calif., and a medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed a general surgery residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center, plastic surgery residency at Yale University, as well as a fellowship in maxillofacial and pediatric plastic surgery at Akron Children's Hospital Medical Center in Akron, Ohio. He is Vice-Chair of the PUC Board and is President of Adventist Health St Helena.

Jana Aagaard is an attorney specializing in health care law, with emphases in health information privacy and technology and clinical research. She graduated from Pacific Union College in 1976 (BA, English literature) and earned an MA degree in English literature from the University of California, Irvine, in 1977. She received her JD degree (magna cum laude) from the University of San Diego in 1992.

She was an associate at Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps in San Diego, CA before becoming in-house counsel at Sharp Healthcare (San Diego) in 1999. Since 2002, she has worked for Dignity Health (formerly named Catholic Healthcare West) both as in-house counsel and of counsel. Dignity Health is the largest nonprofit health system in the western United States, with 39 hospitals in California, Arizona and Nevada. Ms. Aagaard is currently the lead attorney at Dignity Health for all health privacy issues; she advises Dignity Health on all aspects of state and federal privacy compliance requirements, health information exchange, the federal “Meaningful Use Incentives” program and emerging health technologies.

Ms. Aagaard is married to Victor F. M. Aagaard (PUC 1978) and has two children and two grandchildren. She is an active member of the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Niels-Erik Andreasen is a retired higher education administrator. His most recent position was president of Andrews University (1994-2016). Prior to that he served as president of Walla Walla University and Dean of the School of Religion in Loma Linda University. He taught religion at Pacific Union College, Avondale University College and Loma Linda University.

As administrator, Andreasen focused on institutional development, quality improvement, and international education through the extensive network of Adventist higher education.

Andreasen was born and attended school in Denmark, followed by Newbold College (BA), Andrews University (MA, BD), and Vanderbilt (Ph.D.). He has written three monographs and published articles, essays and reviews. He is married to Demetra Lougani Andreasen of Athens Greece. They have one son, Michael, daughter-in-law Marie and two lively grandchildren.

Dr. Leon B. Brown, Sr., is currently the Pacific Union Conference Executive Vice President. He received his undergraduate degrees in Theology and Business Administration from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, going on to receive a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, and a Masters of Business Administration from the School of Business, both at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He has also earned a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA.

Dr. Brown has served the Seventh-day Adventist church in various capacities for 19 years, recently serving in the Northern California Conference of SDAs just before coming to the Nevada-Utah Conference of SDAs.

He is happily married to Julie F. Brown. They have two adult sons, Leon II and Lawrence. He has a passion for community and a heart for people. Pastor Brown believes that his single greatest earthly achievement is that Jesus Christ is Lord of his life.

Carlos Camacho is the President of the SDA Nevada-Utah Conference. He previously served as the marketing and sales director for the Pacific Press and was a pastor for the Southeastern California Conference. In addition, Camacho was the Spanish coordinator of Anaheim SDA; and associate and senior pastor at Inland Spanish SDA. He studied theology/theological studies at Central America Adventist University and received his Master of Pastoral Studies with a youth ministry emphasis from La Sierra University.

Dr. Karen Cress is the founder and CEO of Culture Shift, LLC, a church management consulting company. Dr. Cress worked for 30 years as a pastor and administrator in various conferences across America. She holds a BA in Theology from Walla Walla University, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, and a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership/Foresight from Regent University. Karen’s most significant achievements include helping religious organizations turn from declining to thriving. Her ultimate goal is to use her skills to glorify God and his people.

Peter Han graduated from Pacific Union College in 2012 with a B.A. in biology and a B.S. in Film & Television Production. After undergrad, Peter graduated from medical school in 2016, completed otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency in 2021, head and neck surgical oncology fellowship in 2022, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship in 2023. He has since been a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at The Department of Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA.

Stephen Mayer is the treasurer of the Pacific Union Conference and previously served as undertreasurer and has worked in the Pacific Union Treasury department in various roles since 2004. He is a graduate of Pacific Union College where he studied Business Administration with a triple emphasis in accounting, marketing, and management. Mayer also received his certification in Planned Giving and Trust Services in 2009 and currently serves on the board of the Western Adventist Foundation. Mayer is a California native, and along with his wife, Michelle, and family are active members of the Camarillo Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Bradford Newton is President of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Before accepting his current position, he served as the president of Nevada-Utah Conference and director of religious liberty for the Pacific Union. He has pastored congregations in California and Illinois. Newton earned a B.A. in theology, an M.Div., and a D.Min. from Andrews University.

Dr. Ralph R. Trecartin Jr. is the twenty-fourth president of Pacific Union College. He and his wife Virginia encourage young people to walk closely with God through the adventures of life and to honor Him with lives of real joy.

Most recently, Dr. Trecartin held the positions of Associate Provost and Dean, College of Professions at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. In these roles he worked on campus-wide issues and specifically with the Department of Aviation, Department of Computing, School of Business, and helped to launch the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program. 

Previously, he served at the State University of New York, College at Brockport for 18 years in various capacities including as Assistant Professor of Finance, Associate Professor of Finance, Interim Assistant Honors Program Director, Research Compliance Coordinator, Acting Director of International Education, Executive Director of International Education and finally as Assistant Provost for International Education. 

Other roles have included: Visiting Professor at Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand, Assistant Professor of Business at Andrews University for 11 years prior to moving to New York, and Interim Pastor in the Northern New England Conference. Dr. Trecartin has served on numerous denominational boards and committees over the years.

Dr. Trecartin holds a PhD in Finance from Michigan State University, an MBA from Andrews University, and a BA in Theology from Atlantic Union College. Dr. Trecartin believes that education is one of the most powerful ways to influence aspiring young people to reach for the highest levels of achievement while growing closer to God.

Pastor Erik was born and raised in Walla Walla, WA. From a young age he has had a heart for ministry and service. Right out of college he served as a missionary in Venezuela. Shortly thereafter he received a call to work in the Arizona Conference where he served for 11 years before going to Hawaii. He is married to Jana and they have three boys. Pastor Erik is passionate about youth ministries and has a desire to grow the kingdom of God.

Ricardo J. Viloria serves as the President of the Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He holds a Master of Theological Studies from La Sierra University and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Discipleship at Andrews University. With over 25 years of dedicated service, Ricardo has held various leadership roles, including ministerial, church planting, Hispanic ministries, religious liberty, and pastoral ministry across numerous congregations in Central and Southern California and Texas. He is a devoted husband to Daisy and a proud father of their children, Melissa and Ricky.

André serves as General Counsel for the North Pacific Union Conference and is an adjunct instructor of Business Law at Mt. Hood Community College. A violinist since the age of 6, he plays with the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra as its principal second violinist. A product of Adventist education, André attended Portland Adventist Elementary School, Auburn Adventist Academy and holds his B.A. from Pacific Union College. He holds his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Bob is a CPA with a tax and accounting practice in Sonoma, CA. He has provided services for individuals, businesses and exempt organizations for over 40 years. His greatest professional satisfaction has been the development of his role as a trusted advisor for his clients.
Bob grew up at PUC and attended school there from first grade through college. He graduated from PUC with a BS in Accounting in 1976 and received his Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University.
Bob and his wife Debbie have two children and four grandchildren and are active members of the Napa Community Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dr. Marc Woodson has served as president of the Northern California Conference since 2018. Previously, he served as NCC executive secretary for more than a decade. He is a native of Southern California and a product of Adventist Christian education. Woodson has an associate degree in communication and a bachelor’s degree in theology from Oakwood University, a master of divinity degree from Andrews University, and a doctorate in ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary.

He is an ordained minister and has served in various capacities for over 20 years as a campus chaplain, youth pastor, associate pastor and senior pastor at the Mt. Rubidoux Adventist Church in Riverside, California. Before coming to Northern California, Woodson served the Southeastern California Conference as the associate youth director, where he supervised local church youth pastors, trained youth and young adult leaders, and planned youth events.