Faculty

The School of Business faculty & staff seek to make a difference professionally, academically, and spiritually in the lives of their students. Over a dozen national and institutional awards have been earned by business faculty in teaching, advising, research, and community service.  Our professors have a broad range of experience and backgrounds, including business executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, CPAs, marketing & communication experts, information systems specialists, and economists.  In addition, many of our faculty run their own businesses, so they know about the real world and can bring it right into the classroom.  Their primary motivation is to be in the classroom with their students or in a lab working on real-world projects.  With an open-door policy, students are encouraged to visit professors in their offices or even contact them at home. Faculty members are ready to be friends and mentors and to build relationships that students will value for a lifetime.

See what degrees you can earn when you learn from these professors.


Stephen Pilgrim

Dean and Professor of Economics & Marketing

(509) 527-2368
stephen.pilgrim@wallawalla.edu

Education

  • PhD - Economics, University of the West Indies, Barbados, WI
  • MA - Marketing, University of Westminster, London, UK
  • MPhil - Economics, University of Reading, Berkshire, UK
  • BS - Management Studies, University of the West Indies, Barbados, WI
  • Post-graduate Certificates: Higher Education (UK), Marketing (UK), and Project Management (WI)

Teaching Areas

  • USA: Economics, Global Management & Marketing, Business
  • UK: International Marketing, Strategic Planning, Small Business Simulation Modeling
  • Caribbean: Economics, Finance, Investment Management

Experience

  • Professor: Middlesex University (UK), University of Southern Caribbean, University of West Indies, University of Montemorelos (MEX), and Walla Walla University
  • Vice President: Division of Development and Planning, University of Southern Caribbean
  • Lead Auditor: Quality Management Systems, ISO, Latin American & Caribbean Region
  • Director: Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad & Tobaggo
  • Principal Consultant: DCG (USA), ESBRU (UK), GTC (UK), and GSC (South America)

Professional Memberships / Qualifications

  • ISO, Lead Auditor, PECB, Canada
  • PG Certificate in Project Management, UWI
  • Memberships: Chartered Institute of Marketing, Institute of Management, UK

Research Interests

  • Academic: Leadership, teaching, innovation, and entrepreneurship
  • Corporate: FDI-led development, turnaround strategies for micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
  • International: Investment promotions, global marketing, and FDI wealth management

Research Publications

  • Pilgrim, Stephen and Dexter Gittens, (2013) “FDI and Human Capital. The Paradox of Developing Countries”.  Journal of Finance, Accounting and Management, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 6-49
  • International Economics Forum (Ph.D. Presentation) – University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; ‘A Structural Analysis of the Caribbean economy- using Chenery Model’. [May 2011]
  • International Economics Forum (Ph.D. Presentation) – University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; ‘Drivers of FDI Attraction & Retention in the Caribbean’. [May 2011]
  • Pilgrim, Stephen and Sunday Iyare, (2008) "Foreign direct investment (FDI) and the global food crisis. A study of the Windward Islands’ agricultural sector." Economics Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 59 pp. 1-15
  • International Economics Forum (Ph.D. Presentation) – University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; ‘Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment. A Study of the Windward Islands’ [Sept. 2008]

Personal Interests / Hobbies

  • Student-related: Coaching, mentoring, and motivational speaking
  • Church-related: Singing, preaching, and outdoor activities
  • Family-related: Traveling

Lana Van Dorn

Office Manager

(509) 527-2951
lana.vandorn@wallawalla.edu

As office manager, Lana "runs" the School of Business with proficiency and grace.  In addition, she serves as "departmental mom" to our students, occasionally distributing Band-Aids and Tylenol and soothing emotional and relational distresses as well.  In addition, Lana is a skillful card-maker, creating hundreds of beautiful birthday cards every year for our students and staff.


Johanna Attoh

Associate Professor of Economics & Finance

(509) 527-2645
johanna.attoh@wallawalla.edu

Education

  • PhD - Economics, Western Michigan University, 2016
  • MS - Economics, East Carolina University, 2009
  • BS - Economics, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, 2007

Teaching Areas
Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development Economics, Comparative Economics, International Trade & Finance, Investments, and Business Statistics

Research/Interests

  • The analysis of Global Value Chain Fragmentation on International Trade
  • The effect of trade agreements on the U.S. economy

Hobbies
Family, travel, backpacking, and baking

Conna Bond

Professor of Marketing & Management

(509) 527-2570
conna.bond@wallawalla.edu

 

Education

  • JD (cum laude) – University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
  • MA - Integrated Marketing Communication, Marist College
  • MA – Environmental Science & Natural Resource Journalism, University of Montana (in progress)
  • BA – History, Whitman College

Teaching Areas
Marketing, Advertising, Consumer Behavior, Digital Marketing, Marketing Research, Business Ethics, Business Communication, and Project Management. Previously taught courses in Nonprofit Marketing, Marketing Management, Business Law, Public Relations, and Public Relations Writing.

Professional Experience

  • Cofounder, Red Canoe Creative (marketing & graphic design agency)
  • Founder, Pineapple Social Media (digital marketing agency)
  • Communication Director, Kalibrate Blockchain Corp.
  • Adjunct Professor, Business Law, Flathead Valley Community College
  • Communication Director, ASI
  • Senior Research Editor, Florida Law Review
  • Summer Associate, Holland & Knight and Dean-Mead
  • Legal Research & Writing Fellowship, University of Florida College of Law
  • Appellate Advocacy Fellowship, University of Florida College of Law
  • Research Assistant, Estates & Trusts, University of Florida College of Law

Honors & Awards

  • School of Business Excellence in Teaching Award, Walla Walla University (2016 and 2020)
  • Excellence for the Future Award: Alternative Dispute Resolution, University of Montana School of Law (2003)
  • Ralph H. Martin Book Award, Estates & Trusts, University of Florida College of Law (1998)
  • Distinguished Note Award, Florida Law Review (1997)
  • Accomplished Research Award, Florida Law Review (1997)
  • George W. Milam Award (Best Comment), Florida Law Review (1996)

Certifications:

  • Hootsuite Platform & Social Marketing
  • Hubspot Social Media Marketing

Memberships:

  • American Marketing Association
  • Insights Association (Marketing Research Association)
  • Scribes (The American Society of Legal Writers)
  • Legal Writing Institute
  • Phi Delta Phi (The International Legal Honors Society)
  • Phi Beta Kappa (American Honors Society)
  • Project Management Institute

Publications

  • Editor and regular news and feature writer on marketing, nonprofits, law, religion, business ethics, environmental science and natural resources.
  • Case Comment: Constitutional Law:  Can Single-Sex Education as an Aspect of Diversity Qualify as an Important Governmental Interest Under the Intermediate Scrutiny Standard?, 48 Fla. L. Rev. 337 (Apr. 1996).
  • Note: Florida's Corporate Qualification Statute: Implications for Foreign Lenders, 49 Fla. L. Rev. 139 (Jan. 1997)

Research Interests

  • Behavioral Economics
  • Business and Environmental Ethics & Sustainability
  • Marketing Strategy / Branding & Positioning

Personal Interests
Hiking, mountain climbing and exploring in and around Western Montana’s Glacier National Park, passenger train history and culture, helping other people tell their stories, and spending time with family.


Steven Forbis

Assistant Professor of Management & Information Systems

(509) 527-2096
steven.forbis@wallawalla.edu

Education

  • Doctor of Education (EdD), Specialization in Educational Leadership & Management
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA), Emphasis in Healthcare Administration

Teaching Areas

  • Computer Business Applications, Information Systems, Data Analytics & Visualization, Operations Management

Professional Experience

  • Over two decades of IT experience as a manager and network engineer, including 16 years at a Fortune 100 company
  • Substitute teacher in public and private elementary and secondary schools

Research Interests

  • Company culture and the impact on employee performance and retention
  • Motivation and leadership

Memberships

  • American Telemedicine Association

Hobbies

  • Traveling, cooking, flying, spending time with friends and family

 

George Perez

Assistant Professor of Management & Marketing

(509) 527-2952
george.perez@wallawalla.edu

Website for Leadership Coaching

Education

  • PhD (ABD) - Organizational Leadership, Andrews University
  • MS - Administration, Andrews University

Teaching Areas
Business Ethics, Business Communication, Principles of Management, Strategic Management, Organizational Behavior, Entrepreneurship, Leadership

    Research/Interests

    • Immigration entrepreneurship (dissertation topic)
    • Emotional intelligence in the workplace
    • Innovation and creativity
    • Change management
    • Ethics and corporate social responsibility
    • Negotiations and dispute resolution
    • Small business and start-ups

    Other

    Awards and Honors

    • 2017 Community Recognition Award, Ministry of Provincial Parliament, Ontario, Canada
    • 2015 Signature Affairs Recognition, House of Commons, Parliament of Canada
    • 2013 Excellent in Education Award, Ontario Conference of SDA Church
    • 2011 Culture Manager Recognition, City of London, Ontario, Canada
    • 2007 Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati, Ohio
    • 2006 Hispanic Business of the Year, LULAC Ohio Distinguished Hispanics, Cincinnati, Ohio
    • 2004 Ohioan of the Year, Ohio Commission of Hispanic/Latino Affairs, Columbus, Ohio

    Activities 

    • Business/leadership coach
    • Co-owner of Hola! Ethnic Media
    • Public & motivational speaker
    • Cultural training

    Brian Schaffner

    Assistant Professor of Accounting & Management

    (509) 527-2953
    brian.schaffner@wallawalla.edu

    Education

    • Master’s in Business Administration
    • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Accounting

    Experience

    • Served over the past three decades in a variety of capacities, including CEO, CFO, CIO, and controller in senior-living, assisted-living, and skilled-nursing facilities, retail stores, and educational institutions
    • Previously taught classes in accounting, personal finance, welding, auto mechanics, and aviation ground school

    Teaching Areas

    • Principles of Financial & Managerial Accounting, Personal Finance, Business Basics, Principles of Management, Human Resource Management

    Hobbies

    • Mountain biking, skiing, flying, youth ministry, and family

    Bruce Toews

    Assoc. Dean and Professor of Accounting & Finance

    (509) 527-2376
    bruce.toews@wallawalla.edu

    Education

    • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - Finance Specialization
    • Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance Emphasis
    • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Accounting Concentration
    • Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of Washington

    Teaching Areas

    • Managerial Finance, Personal Income Tax, Personal Finance, Intermediate Accounting, Auditing, Accounting Information Systems, Government & Not-for-Profit Accounting, Real Estate, Financial Markets & Institutions, Investments, Cost & Managerial Accounting, Advanced Accounting

    Experience

    • Professor of Accounting/Finance/Economics for over 30 years at several schools, including Walla Walla University, Union College, and Whitman College (adjunct)
    • CPA Professional Services for 30+ years:  Own and operate a small firm providing part-time services in accounting, tax, auditing, wealth management, personal financial planning, and software consulting
    • Staff auditor at an auditing firm

    Awards

    • WWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award
    • WWU Community Service Award
    • C. Michael and Delona Lang Bell Outstanding Teacher Award, WWU
    • ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs)
    • NACADA Outstanding Faculty Academic Advising Award (National Academic Advising Association)
    • WWU Excellence in Academic Advisement Award
    • WWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award
    • WWU Presidential Excellence in Teaching Award
    • WWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award

    Memberships

    • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

    Research Interests

    • The influence of religion and culture on investment practices
    • Assessing and increasing the level of professional skepticism among financial auditors
    • The rising significance of intangible assets and the challenges of valuation
    • Financial metrics for not-for-profit organizations
    • Historical and current regulatory developments in the credit union industry

    Personal Interests / Hobbies

    • Bird-watching, hiking, singing, playing keyboard/guitar, and motorcycle riding

    Robert Van Dorn

    Adjunct Instructor of Business Law

    (509) 527-2951
    robert.vandorn@wallawalla.edu

    Education

    • JD, Seattle University
    • BA-History, Walla Walla University

    Teaching Areas
    Business Law

      Experience 

      • Attorney at Law and Trust Officer, Upper Columbia Corporation of SDA
      • Private law practice for 31 years in Walla Walla, Tacoma, and Seattle

      Other
      A beloved pastor used to ask people: "What are some of the first words you hope to hear in heaven someday?"  Lawyer Bob was never asked, but would have replied, "Next up on the No. 1 Tee . . . "

      Other Collaborating Faculty (Adjunct):

      • Duane Anderson, MS (Information Systems)
      • Alex Bryan, D. Min., MS (Healthcare)
      • Preston Carman, MBA, MS (Information Systems)
      • John Cress, D.Min. FCEP (Fundraising)
      • Hillary Dickerson, PhD (Economics)
      • James Foster, JD, MBA, MS (Information Systems)
      • Kelsi Gilkey, MS (Business Taxation)
      • Monty Knittel, MBA (Marketing)
      • Joanna Nelson, MBA (Management)
      • Nancy Semotiuk, PhD (Public Relations)