Business Entrepreneurialism and Management

My background includes over 30 years’ experience in business.  I have management, operations, and customer service experience in Retailing, Banking, and Technology.  As a self-employed entrepreneur I successfully launched and ran two businesses; a mortgage brokerage and a boutique investment advisory firm.  I also provided consulting expertise for the launch of several other businesses, including a bio-diesel manufacturer, an accounting firm, and several technology start-ups.   I have a Bachelors of Science in Psychology, a Masters in Business Administration, both from Arizona State University, and a Doctorate in Education from Northern Arizona University.

• What do you enjoy most about teaching business students?

This is my 21st year at SMCC teaching economics, business, and entrepreneurship.  What I enjoy most is the constant variety of those topics and the constant variety of all our students.  Those topics, and all our students, are fascinating!  Why?  Because it is all the study of human behavior.  And we humans are goofy, frustrating, endlessly fascinating creatures – why do you look at cats on the internet!  

• What’s something students might be surprised to learn about you?

People may not know that I am an adventure junkie and endurance athlete.  I've done many half-marathons, marathons, triathlons, half-Ironman triathlons, and I've competed in the Ironman triathlon twice.  Over the past many years I've been hiking, backpacking, rock and ice climbing, and alpine mountaineering.  I've learned how to scuba dive, fly a sailplane, and jump out of perfectly good airplanes for sky diving.  My latest endeavor has been exploring via ferrata routes in Colorado and Italy.

What do you enjoy most about teaching business students?
I enjoy seeing students connect classroom concepts to real-world situations. When they realize how accounting, law, or communication applies to their careers and communities, it’s incredibly rewarding. My teaching philosophy is built on Connection, Community, Care, and Challenge—I want students to feel supported, but also pushed to grow into leaders who can make a difference.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a student starting their program?
Stay curious and engaged. Business is always evolving—driven by technology, society, and culture. Asking questions and building connections will serve you far better than memorizing facts.

How did you get started in your field, and what keeps you passionate about it?
I began my career as a CPA and Enrolled Agent, running my own accounting firm before moving into higher education. What keeps me passionate is helping people—from clients navigating tax and business challenges to students preparing to shape the future of business.

What’s something students might be surprised to learn about you?
Outside the classroom, I’ve coached youth soccer and am a big supporter of both Phoenix Rising and ASU Football. I also enjoy movies, music, and finding ways to bring a little fun and creativity into everything I do.

🌟 What I Enjoy Most About Teaching

What I enjoy most about teaching business students is watching their growth—not just in understanding concepts like law, management, and ethics, but in discovering how those ideas connect to real-world decisions that shape lives.

Business isn’t only about numbers or strategies. It’s about people, relationships, and choices that can make a difference in communities. When students begin to see themselves as future leaders and problem-solvers, ready to apply what they’ve learned beyond the classroom—that’s when teaching feels most meaningful to me.

💡 Advice for New Business Students

If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be this: stay curious and engaged, even when the material feels challenging.

Business is dynamic—it changes with society, technology, and culture. Your ability to ask questions, think critically, and connect ideas will serve you far more than memorizing facts ever will.

Approach your studies with:

• ✅ An open mind
• ✅ A willingness to grow
• ✅ An understanding that your education is preparing you not just for a career, but for a life of leadership, integrity, and purpose.

🎶 Something You Might Not Expect

Outside of teaching, I’m a big fan of EDM music and love going to festivals. I recently attended EDC and already have tickets for next year.

For me, music festivals are more than concerts—they’re a way to:

• Recharge ✨
• Celebrate creativity 🎨
• Experience the energy of people coming together 💫

It’s a different kind of community than the classroom, but both remind me of the importance of connection and shared experiences.