Sam Heier Appointed as New Vice President of Financial Administration

On July 1, Sam Heier transitioned to his new role as Vice President of Financial Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Having served as the Executive Director of Financial Administration since 2023, he has since established strong financial rapport across campus, bringing a wealth of experience, strategic thinking, and a vision to keep PUC moving forward.

Heier’s story began long before he settled in Angwin with his wife, Jodel, whom he met during his time at PUC, and their two sons, Rylan and Luke. After moving to PUC from his hometown near Stuttgart, Germany, in 1996, he was a determined ESL student in a completely new environment, working at the Howell Mountain Market to support his education. Heier credits his work experience there and the manager he worked under with influencing the management philosophies he holds and practices today.

“I think what makes PUC unique is not that we are here to teach students in the classroom alone, but we really help them grow as human beings and future leaders,” he said. “Students are mentored by amazing educators and pastors. That was my experience back then as an international student, and it still holds true today.”

Heier described his time at PUC as a friendly place, even though the first three months were difficult. Despite the language barrier, adjusting to a new life, and being away from home, he graduated with honors and as president of the senior class, with a bachelor's degree in international business in 1999. Heier and Jodel then got engaged and married a few months later. They moved down to Loma Linda, CA, where she finished her degree, then to the Bay Area for a couple of years until they settled in Redding, CA, where they had spent the last 20 years prior to moving to Angwin three years ago.

Coming back to PUC was an answered prayer for Heier and his family, especially since they are no strangers to the college. Heier described how, before he received the call from former PUC Vice President of Financial Administration Joy Hirdler to join as executive director, he had attended an ARISE Intensive seminar, during which the topic of “occupation” vs. “vocation” came up. The takeaway for Heier was to make a difference and to answer his calling.

“It is a privilege to serve my alma mater in this role, and I am deeply thankful for God’s leadership in this journey,” he said. “PUC is experiencing meaningful progress, and I look forward to partnering with our faculty and staff to build on that momentum and faithfully advance the college’s mission.”

Previously holding several managerial and director positions at Kaplan Inc., Systems Plumber Co., and Southern Aluminum Fishing Co., Heier has extensive experience in team building, operations management, budgeting, and strategic leadership. As executive director, he pushed to complete more projects, such as the renovations of Paulin Hall, Ricchiuti Hall, Hansen Pool, and Nichol Hall, which has now become a regular, rent-based source of income for the college. Heier also noted improvements at Howell Mountain Enterprises, which includes the Chevron, ACE hardware store, and the Howell Mountain Market, where he foresees tremendous opportunities for further improvements. Another important focal point for Heier over the last three years was establishing long-term relationships with different users of PUC’s underutilized assets, which, to him, was an opportunity to further establish and increase non-tuition revenue streams.

Transitioning into his current role, Heier hopes to bring greater clarity to how PUC’s financial information is shared with constituents on campus. “My goal is to establish a high degree of trust through transparent leadership,” he shared.

Tangibly, Heier plans to continue reducing the debt accumulated in the past. Future goals include producing balanced budgets that allow for more infrastructure investments. He is also proud of the advancements and projects completed, largely through donated funds, and would like to regularly demonstrate to donors how the funds are used responsibly to enhance the student experience at PUC.

“I am so pleased that Sam is willing to step into this role,” said PUC President Ralph Trecartin. “I am excited about him because he knows what we need to accomplish and has what it takes to be an admirable leader. Those of us who have worked with him closely already admire his capabilities and enjoy working with him on a day-to-day basis.”

“What keeps me motivated is that I was here in the 90s, and I saw what PUC was like with 1500 students on campus, so I can definitely see how things are turning around for the better again, and I am excited to be part of bringing PUC back to its glory days,” Heier passionately added.

Pondering over some mottos that drive him, Heier shared that he deeply values the golden rule, “to treat others the way you want to be treated.” “Wherever I have served in the past, I believed in treating people with respect, no matter who they are, and no matter what position they hold.” Also, in line with one of Gandhi’s quotes, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” Heier believes in taking the initiative to effect change rather than waiting for it to happen on its own.

When he is not in the office crunching numbers and contemplating PUC’s bright future, Heier enjoys spending quality time with family and friends in nature and on the road, cycling, with a goal of biking 3,000 miles this year. He is also looking forward to finishing his MBA at PUC in the 2026-2027 academic year, as his younger son, Luke, will be entering sixth grade at PUC Elementary, and his older son, Rylan, will be an incoming PUC freshman, underscoring the importance of Adventist education in the Heier family.

“God is definitely up to something here at PUC, and I am inspired to have a front row seat to witness it,” said Heier. “It’s so exciting and humbling to be a small part of God’s work here.”