Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc.

06/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/23/2026 10:02

Palm Beach Atlantic University Welcomes Two New Leaders to Its Board of Trustees

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Disney Finance Executive Jeff Swindell and Commercial Real Estate Professional Aaron Rinker Join University Leadership

West Palm Beach, Fla. - Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Swindell and Aaron Joseph Rinker to its Board of Trustees. The new trustees bring decades of distinguished experience in finance, business and civic leadership, further strengthening the University's commitment to academic excellence and community engagement.

Jeff Swindell

Starting at Disney as a junior team member in 1998, just months after graduating from PBA, Swindell quickly distinguished himself, rising through the organization to hold senior financial leadership positions. He currently serves as CFO and senior vice president of finance for Disney Signature Experiences, a portfolio of businesses within The Walt Disney Company that includes Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Aulani - A Disney Resort and Spa, Adventures by Disney, National Geographic Expeditions, Storyliving by Disney and Golden Oak. In this role, he provides financial and strategic leadership across some of Disney's most dynamic businesses.

Swindell earned a bachelor's degree in business management from PBA, a master's degree in applied economics from the University of Central Florida and a master's degree in business administration from Duke University. He also serves on the advisory board of the Florida Institute of CFOs and on the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Travel and Tourism Advisory Council. He is a member of Quay Church in Windermere, Florida and a resident of Winter Garden.

Aaron Rinker

Rinker's career spans education, banking and commercial real estate. After earning a B.A. in History from Florida Atlantic University and beginning his career as a middle school teacher at Our Savior Lutheran School, Rinker transitioned into banking and real estate, earned his broker's license and founded his own real estate firm. He later joined JJR Properties, a family-owned commercial real estate company, where he managed its commercial building portfolio and led finance and development initiatives.

Now retired from full-time operations, Rinker serves on the Board of Directors of the Marshall & Vera Lee Rinker Foundation and advises Divine Savior Lutheran Church in West Palm Beach on its expansion projects. He previously served as City Councilor and Vice Mayor of Atlantis, Florida. He and his wife, Rachel, a PBA alumna, have two children, Jacob, a PBA associate alumnus, and Laura, a PBA alumna, reflecting the family's longstanding connection to the university.

"Having Jeff and Aaron join our Board is a further signal of this institution's commitment to growth and to serving our community," said Dr. Debra Schwinn, president of PBA. "We are genuinely pleased to welcome them and are confident they will bring invaluable momentum and expertise to our Board and the University."

Founded in 1968, PBA is a private, Christian university, offering 100 different programs and pathways, including undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and professional degrees. The University has two campuses in West Palm Beach, Florida- provides facilities for training and hosting intercollegiate sports. Sailfish athletes compete in 18 NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference varsity sports. PBA affirms the values that have built American society, including religious liberty and the free enterprise system. The University is dedicated to equipping students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction and serve God boldly.

For more information about future events, please visit pba.edu.

Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc. published this content on June 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 23, 2026 at 16:02 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]