The Pacific West Conference has partnered with the search firm Spelman Johnson to help secure the next commissioner of the 11-university NCAA Division II conference.

Current Commissioner Bob Hogue, who has directed the conference since 2007, will retire in June. Hogue, in his 16^th season, has guided the PacWest through numerous expansion scenarios, Covid-19 and unprecedented success for the conference athletically and academically.

Hogue is the longest tenured commissioner in history of the conference. 

The PacWest Chair Leadership Committee will work with Spelman Johnson to secure a list of candidates to present to the seven-person selection committee. That selection group is made up of presidents, athletic directors and administrators from around the PacWest Conference.

The selection committee will begin reviewing candidate applications in the spring, with the goal to have the next commissioner in place by June.

"I believe we have identified a great search firm to help guide us through this process," said Azusa Pacific University President and Chair of the PacWest Leadership Committee, Dr. Adam J. Morris. "Spelman Johnson is an industry leader in intercollegiate athletics executive searches, fostering integrity, well-being, inclusivity, excellence, and success."

The Pacific West Conference is the most geographically diverse conference in Division II. Members include schools in northern and southern California and Hawai`i. Currently there are 11 universities in the PacWest, with expansion plans to increase to 14 schools by 2024-25.