Villanova University Announces Four New Appointments to Its Board of Trustees
Villanova University has announced a significant expansion of its Board of Trustees with the appointment of four distinguished new members whose collective experience spans faith leadership, philanthropy, global business, law, education, and community service. Effective January 1, the Very Rev. Barnaby Johns, OSA, Kristin E. Reed ’88 CLAS, David K. “Duke” Reyes ’79 VSB, and Robert F. Tyson ’86 VSB, ’89 JD officially joined Villanova’s 38-member governing board, reinforcing the University’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence, Augustinian values, and strategic leadership during a period of continued institutional momentum.
Strengthening Governance Through Mission-Driven Leadership
Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, emphasized that the new trustees embody the spirit of servant leadership central to Villanova’s Augustinian identity. He noted that Father Barnaby Johns, Kristin Reed, Duke Reyes, and Robert Tyson each bring a unique perspective shaped by deep faith, professional achievement, and an enduring commitment to education and service. According to President Donohue, their collective insight and guidance will play a critical role as the University builds on recent successes, advances its strategic priorities, and plans for the future in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.
The Board of Trustees serves as the principal governing body of Villanova University, providing oversight on matters including academic quality, financial stewardship, institutional mission, and long-term strategic planning, making the addition of experienced, mission-aligned leaders especially significant.
The Augustinian Voice of the Very Rev. Barnaby Johns, OSA
The appointment of the Very Rev. Barnaby Johns, OSA, brings a deeply rooted Augustinian and global perspective to the Board of Trustees. Father Johns currently serves as Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province of St. Augustine in California, a role that places him at the center of leadership, pastoral oversight, and strategic direction for Augustinian communities across the region. His life journey reflects a profound commitment to faith, education, and cross-cultural engagement, qualities that align closely with Villanova University’s Catholic and Augustinian mission.
Raised in Worcestershire, England, Father Johns attended The Oratory School in Oxfordshire, where he developed an early appreciation for rigorous education and spiritual formation. Following secondary school, he embarked on a formative gap year in Pakistan, an experience that broadened his worldview and deepened his interest in service and intercultural understanding. He later earned his bachelor’s degree before spending three years teaching English at a high school in Osaka, Japan, an experience that further strengthened his commitment to education and global engagement.
A pivotal moment in Father Johns’ spiritual journey occurred during a retreat in Nagasaki in 1997, where he met the Rev. Tom Purcell, OSA, of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. That encounter introduced him to Augustinian community life and planted the seeds for his eventual vocation. From 2000 to 2004, Father Johns worked in communications in London, gaining professional experience that would later inform his leadership roles within the Church. He subsequently entered formation with the British Augustinian Province, living and studying in Edinburgh, Racine, Wisconsin, London, and Rome, experiences that provided both theological depth and international perspective.
Father Johns completed a pastoral year in San Diego and later taught at St. Augustine High School in San Diego and Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, California, reinforcing his lifelong dedication to education and mentorship. He was solemnly professed as an Augustinian friar in 2015 and ordained to the priesthood in 2020. In 2024, his peers elected him Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province of St.
Augustine in California, recognizing his leadership, pastoral sensitivity, and strategic vision. Academically, Father Johns holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Anglia University in Cambridge, a master’s degree in Scripture from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and a master’s degree in Catholic School Leadership from the University of San Francisco, credentials that underscore his commitment to scholarly excellence and educational leadership.
Philanthropic Leadership and Alumni Engagement: Kristin E. Reed ’88 CLAS
Kristin E. Reed ’88 CLAS brings to the Board of Trustees a distinguished record of philanthropic leadership, nonprofit governance, and alumni engagement, reflecting a lifelong commitment to education and community impact. A Villanova alumna, Reed began her professional career in sales and marketing in New York City before relocating to the Boston area, where she has remained actively involved in commercial real estate. Since 2006, she has overseen her family’s real estate properties, combining business acumen with a long-term, community-oriented approach to investment and development.
Reed’s philanthropic involvement spans more than a decade and includes significant leadership roles across educational and nonprofit organizations. From 2008 to 2018, she served on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, an organization dedicated to supporting youth development and opportunity. Her peers recognized her leadership capabilities by electing her board president from 2018 to 2020, a period marked by strategic growth and organizational strengthening. In 2022, Reed chaired the organization’s first-ever capital campaign, successfully raising $17 million in private philanthropy, a milestone achievement that significantly expanded the organization’s capacity to serve its community.
In addition to her work with the Boys & Girls Club, Reed served as a trustee of St. Sebastian’s School from 2012 to 2018, where she focused on development initiatives and institutional advancement. She has also held leadership roles with the Westwood Educational Foundation, serving as both a board member and board president, further demonstrating her commitment to educational excellence and community engagement.
Her connection to Villanova University has remained strong since her graduation in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Reed previously served on the Villanova University President’s Advisory Council and played a key role as the New England regional co-chair for the University’s comprehensive campaign, For the Greater Good, contributing to fundraising and alumni engagement efforts that strengthened Villanova’s national presence. Reed and her husband, Tyson ’88 CLAS, divide their time between Gulf Stream, Florida, and Newport, Rhode Island, and are the parents of three Villanova alumni and students: Jacalyn ’15 CLAS, Tyson Jr. ’19 CLAS, and Patrick ’21 VSB, underscoring a multigenerational commitment to the University.
Global Business Expertise of David K. “Duke” Reyes ’79 VSB
David K. “Duke” Reyes ’79 VSB joins the Board of Trustees as a global business leader whose experience spans international operations, logistics, and corporate governance. Reyes is Chief Executive Officer of Reyes Holdings, LLC, a privately held global leader in the production and distribution of food and beverage products. Under his leadership, Reyes Holdings has grown into a multinational enterprise with operations across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and the Asia Pacific region, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of global markets and supply chains.
Reyes Holdings operates through three primary business units: Reyes Beverage Group, the Martin-Brower Company, LLC, and Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling. In addition to beverage distribution and bottling, the company manages complex transportation and logistics networks, equipment leasing operations, and real estate development initiatives, positioning it as a vertically integrated leader within the global food and beverage industry. Reyes’ strategic leadership has emphasized operational excellence, long-term growth, and corporate responsibility, values that align closely with Villanova University’s mission-driven approach to education and leadership development.
Beyond his corporate role, Reyes has demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement and higher education through extensive board service. He has served on the boards of the University of Chicago Medical Center, Georgetown University School of Business, Georgetown University, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Los Angeles YMCA, the Chicago Big Shoulders Fund, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, contributing his expertise to organizations focused on education, healthcare, and community development.
Reyes earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Villanova University in 1979 and later obtained a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University in 1982. He is a member of the Washington, D.C., Bar Association and resides in Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife, Pam. Together, they are the parents of three daughters. His appointment to Villanova’s Board of Trustees reflects both his professional accomplishments and his enduring connection to his alma mater.
Legal Excellence and Entrepreneurial Insight of Robert F. Tyson ’86 VSB, ’89 JD
Robert F. Tyson ’86 VSB, ’89 JD brings to the Board of Trustees a distinguished career in law, entrepreneurship, and alumni leadership. A nationally recognized trial lawyer, Tyson is the founding partner of Tyson & Mendes, a rapidly growing national law firm with more than 280 attorneys. Over more than 35 years, he has tried catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and high-exposure jury trials, earning a reputation for legal excellence and strategic advocacy.
Tyson is widely known for his role in Howell v. Hamilton Meats, a landmark multibillion-dollar case that he argued and won before the California Supreme Court, significantly influencing the legal landscape in personal injury litigation. In addition to his legal practice, Tyson is a bestselling author and a serial entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Schaefer City Technologies, an insurtech company focused on innovation within the insurance industry, and co-founder of Apex Defense Consulting, a defense consulting firm that supports legal strategy and litigation management.
His commitment to community service is reflected in his involvement with the Century Club of San Diego, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that organizes the annual PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines Golf Course, an event that generates significant charitable impact. Tyson has also demonstrated long-standing loyalty to Villanova University, having served as president of the San Diego chapter of the Villanova University Alumni Association and as a member of the President’s Advisory Council, contributing to alumni engagement and institutional advancement efforts.
A native of Staten Island, New York, Tyson earned his undergraduate degree in Finance from the Villanova School of Business in 1986 and his Juris Doctor from the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law in 1989. He and his wife, Jenny, reside in La Jolla, California, and are the parents of three children, including Faith ’26 VSB, Bobby ’28 CLAS, and Mary, a current student at Texas Christian University. His appointment underscores the University’s appreciation for alumni who combine professional success with service and mentorship.
Advancing Villanova’s Future Through Collective Expertise
The addition of these four trustees strengthens Villanova University’s Board with complementary expertise in faith leadership, philanthropy, global enterprise, law, and community engagement. Together, Father Barnaby Johns, Kristin Reed, Duke Reyes, and Robert Tyson reflect the diverse ways in which Villanova’s Augustinian values are lived out in professional and personal contexts. Their appointments signal the University’s continued focus on governance rooted in mission, excellence, and service, ensuring that Villanova remains well-positioned to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing higher education while remaining true to its foundational values.
