Creighton names Acierno, Breen as new trustees
Creighton President the Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD, announced two new additions to Creighton University’s Board of Trustees in an email to the campus community on Wednesday, July 29.
Joining the board are Alan “AJ” Acierno, DDS’01, founder of DecisionOne Dental Partners and chief dental officer at Smile Brands, and the Rev. Timothy “Tim” Breen, SJ, program director of Gonzaga University Athletics’ Zags360 initiative and former director of operations for Creighton’s men’s soccer team.
“I am eager to welcome Dr. Acierno and Fr. Breen as trustees during such a transformative time for Creighton,” Fr. Hendrickson said. “Their familiarity with our University and Jesuit, Catholic mission is an invaluable asset as we prepare to celebrate 150 years and plan for what lies beyond.”
Meet the New Trustees
Alan Acierno, DDS’01
Dr. Acierno is the founder of DecisionOne Dental Partners and chief dental officer at Smile Brands. After receiving his DDS from Creighton University, he practiced dentistry in both group and private environments, where he discovered the benefits and challenges of each practice. Compelled with a vision to make a difference in the way dentistry is practiced, Acierno, together with his brother and fellow dentist, Michael Acierno, DDS, founded DecisionOne Dental Partners in 2011.
In 2019, DecisionOne partnered with Smile Brands to continue their mission of changing the way dentistry is done, working with a best-in-class partner to improve lives. In 2021, AJ Acierno stepped into his role as one of the COOs within Smile Brands, overseeing the Midwest division. In 2024, he took the role of chief dental officer of Smile Brands.
In his free time, Dr. A.J. Acierno enjoys spending time with his family, watching his kids play sports, staying active and traveling.
Rev. Timothy Breen, SJ
Fr. Breen was introduced to the Jesuits at Loyola High School of Los Angeles and joined the Society of Jesus after his freshman year at Loyola University Chicago. As a novice, he served as a hospital chaplain in Lynwood, California, took courses at the University of San Francisco, and ministered in a local parish. He returned to Loyola University Chicago after his first vows, teaching local confirmation classes and serving as chaplain to the Loyola Chicago men’s soccer team. He would go on to do the same at Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, Washington, in addition to coaching women’s soccer and serving as assistant athletic director.
Upon being missioned to Omaha, Fr. Breen joined the coaching staff of Creighton University’s men’s and women’s soccer teams. He later earned Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Boston College while serving as a local deacon and chaplain for the university’s baseball team. After ordination, he completed a master’s degree in sports administration at Gonzaga University and currently serves as program director of Zags360, where he helps Gonzaga Athletics live out the Jesuit mission of cura personalis.
