After a national search, Loyola announced today that John C. Coppola, ’99, MBA ’00, will serve as the next vice president for finance and administration/treasurer.

Coppola, who is currently associate vice president for finance for Loyola, will begin in the role on March 1, 2021. He will succeed Randall Gentzler, who has served in the role since 2011. After Coppola assumes the role, Gentzler will be the senior financial advisor to the president until his retirement on May 31, 2021.

“As we conducted a national search for this position, Mr. Coppola quickly emerged as the candidate with the strongest background and the depth and breadth of expertise to lead Loyola forward,” said Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J., president. “We are fortunate that he also knows the opportunities and challenges Loyola is facing with his experience—and proven record—as associate vice president for finance for Loyola for more than four years.”

As associate vice president for finance, Coppola has provided leadership over the controller's office and all functions related to general accounting and financial reporting, investment, debt and treasury management, student administrative services and all auxiliary operations. During his tenure, he has played a key role in working with leaders across the University to identify expense reduction and revenue creation initiatives.

Among the many projects and initiatives he has undertaken at Loyola, Coppola served on the Innovation Task Force, which resulted in the creation of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Aspire, was a key member of the University’s Stimulus Response and Business Continuity Work Groups that were formed in response to COVID-19, and led the University through a bond issuance for the Fernandez Center for Innovation and Collaborative Learning.

A double Loyola graduate, Coppola earned his BBA in accounting in 1999 and his Master of Business Administration in Finance in 2000. As a Loyola student, he was involved in Campus Ministry and co-founded the club soccer team.

“Being a double graduate of Loyola, I’m excited to have this chance to partner with leaders across the institution as we envision the future of Loyola,” said Coppola, who lives in Millersville, Md., with his family. “It’s a humbling opportunity to be able to influence the strategic direction of the University. As all institutions of higher education are managing through the pandemic, Loyola is doing it from a position of strength. We are an institution that is marketable and desirable for students and we will continue to deliver on the promise of providing the highest quality academic and student experience.”

Prior to coming to Loyola, Coppola worked at Notre Dame of Maryland University, was a principal at Ellin & Tucker, and served as chief financial officer for his alma mater, Archbishop Spalding High School. He is a certified public accountant and completed the NACUBO Fellows Program in July 2020. He serves on the board for Archbishop Spalding High School and the Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Scholarship Fund.