David LeNoir Jr.
HPU is proud to announce the appointment of David LeNoir Jr. as its next Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, effective October 28. LeNoir will oversee the University’s financial and business operations, including financial planning, budget management, investments, facilities, risk management, asset management, and procurement. He will provide strategic guidance as a key member of HPU President John Gotanda’s cabinet and leadership team.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for HPU as the University continues to strengthen its programs and expand its impact across Hawaiʻi and beyond. LeNoir brings more than two decades of financial and operational leadership experience, with a career defined by strategic planning and international business insight.
LeNoir joins HPU from Hawaiian Airlines, where he served as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis. He began his tenure there in 2019, leading financial planning functions during a period of major transformation in the airline industry. When the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped global travel, his role expanded to include operational and enterprise planning, helping Hawaiian Airlines navigate industry challenges and build a sustainable path forward.
Most recently, LeNoir supported board-level due diligence for the proposed Alaska Airlines–Hawaiian Airlines transaction and led financial integration efforts to align both carriers’ operations and strategy. Before joining Hawaiian Airlines, LeNoir held senior finance roles at Silver Airways, Spirit Airlines, and FedEx, giving him a broad foundation in financial management, operational planning, and corporate strategy across global industries.
Throughout his career, LeNoir has focused on aligning data, strategy, and vision to help organizations make better decisions and adapt to evolving environments. He views a strong finance function as one that enables both stability and innovation, a philosophy that closely aligns with HPU’s mission and approach.
LeNoir was drawn to HPU’s mission-driven and entrepreneurial culture, where innovation and community impact go hand in hand. The University’s ability to act quickly, think creatively, and serve its diverse student body reflects qualities that he believes are essential for higher education’s future.
“David brings to HPU an impressive background in finance and international business, shaped by his leadership in the global airline industry,” said Gotanda. “His experience navigating complex financial environments, combined with his thoughtful, mission-focused approach, will be invaluable as HPU continues to grow as a diverse, nimble, and innovative university.”
LeNoir is a dual-degree graduate, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages (French) from Mississippi State University, where he also completed a six-month internship with Citigroup that sparked his passion for international enterprise.
LeNoir serves as treasurer on the board of directors for the Hawai‘i Theatre Center, and on the board of the Japan-America Society of Hawai‘i. His community involvement reflects his belief that diversity, inclusion, and collaboration are essential to building strong organizations, principles that align closely with HPU’s culture.
