The Cerritos College Board of Trustees on June 27 unanimously approved interim replacements for the administrative positions recently vacated by Dr. Morgan Lynn, vice president of academic services, and Peter Hardash, vice president of business affairs.

• John Grindel, the current executive dean of information technology and development, will be replacing Lynn. He has held a variety of administrative positions at the college since he was hired in October of 1995.

• Charles Hanson, the retired vice president of business services for the Santa Barbara Community College District, will replace Hardash.

Grindel has graduate degrees in Theology, Semetic Languages and Near Eastern Studies. He has experience as an administrator at DePaul University in Chicago, as president of a graduate school of theology and as president of the Congregation of the Mission in California, which is a religious community.

Grindel has also worked as both a full time and adjunct professor at Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles and at DePaul University.

“I really enjoy Cerritos College. There are so many great things going on and so many great people here, that it will be a great thrill working with all of them,” he said.

As to if he will be seeking the position permanently, Grindel said, “We will take a look and see if that is the direction we wish to go. I have not made a decision at this time.”

Hanson will be new to Cerritos College, but not new to the community college system.

He served as the vice president of business services for the Santa Barbara Community College District, from which he is now retired.

He has most recently worked on an interim basis at the Kern County Community College District and at Sierra College in Northern California.

Coincidentally, Lynn will be serving as a vice president at Sierra College, although she will not be filling the position that Hanson had held.

Hanson feels this is a difficult time for the campus to have to fill a vacancy, because it is a critical time for the college’s budget and the closing of last year’s financial books and the opening of next year’s books. Although he is new to the school, he said that the fiscal part of all community colleges basically work the same way.

“I’ll put my best foot forward and hope that I can help the campus,” he said.

Grindel’s salary will be $9584 per month and Hanson’s will be $9,930, both effective July 1.

Employment for both will be until the Board recruits, selects and permanently employs replacements for the positions.