Faculty
The School of Business faculty members 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, insurance brokers, marketers, information systems specialists, and economists. In addition, a majority 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.
Patience Taruwinga
Dean and Associate Professor of Management, Quantitative Methods, & Information Systems
(509) 527-2368
Education
- Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL), University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa, 2012
- Master's of Science - Management of Information Technology (MS-MIT), Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics, Indiana University South Bend, 2008
- Master's of Business Administration (MBA), Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics, Indiana University South Bend, 2003
- Bachelor of Science (BS) - Statistics, University of Zimbabwe, 1999
Teaching Areas
Quantitative Methods, Management, and Information Systems
Research/Interests
- Managing the Complexity of Human Resources in Family Owned Businesses.
- Recent publications in the International Journal of Sustainable Economies Management (IJSEM)
- Co-Authored a chapter in the book: Strategic Uses of Social Media for Improved Customer Retention
Hobbies
Family, travel, fishing, hiking and prison ministry
Other
Activities
- Member Academy of Management since 2012
- Founder and Owner Geek Investments LLC (An Equipment Export Company with clients in 7 countries)
Faculty Awards
- Faculty Certificate of Recognition, Indiana University South Bend, 2012
- Edwin G Kaiser Faculty Scholar Award, Saint Joseph’s College, 2017
Bruce Toews
Associate Dean and Professor of Accounting & Finance
(509) 527-2376
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, Investments, Financial Markets & Institutions, Intermediate Accounting, Auditing, Accounting Information Systems, Government & Not-for-Profit Accounting and Real Estate
Experience
As a CPA for over 30 years, I own and operate a professional services firm providing part-time services in accounting, tax, auditing, wealth management, personal financial planning, and financial software consulting
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 Accounting Association
- 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
Hobbies
Bird-watching, hiking, singing, playing keyboard/guitar, and motorcycle riding
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
Education
- JD (cum laude) – University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law (2003)
- MA – Environmental Science & Natural Resource Journalism (in progress)
- BA – History, Whitman College (1990)
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)
- 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)
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)
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.
Andrew Dressler
Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance
(509) 527-2953
andrew.dressler@wallawalla.edu
Education
- Master's of Accountancy, University of Idaho
- BA - Business, Walla Walla University
- CPA, State of Washington
Teaching Areas
Principles of Accounting, Managerial Cost Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Personal Income Tax, and Business Taxation
Research/Interests
- United States Taxation System
- Solutions to the United States Health Care System
Hobbies
Family, SCUBA, Golf and Development of Small Businesses
Mihail Motzev
Professor of Quantitative Methods and Information Systems
(509) 527-2096
mihail.motzev@wallawalla.edu
Education
- PhD, University of National and World Economics, Bulgaria
- MS, Higher Institute of Economics, Bulgaria
Teaching Areas
Business Statistics, Operations Management, Management Information Systems and Business Intelligence, Business Analytics with MS Excel and Access, Business Forecasting and Predictive Analytics.
Research/Interests
Business Analytics with Spreadsheets, Faculty Research Grant, Walla Walla University. Statistical Leaning Networks in Simulations for Business Training and Education ABSEL (Association for Business Simulation and Experiential Learning). A Framework for Developing Multi-Layered Networks of Active Neurons for Simulation Experiments and Model-Based Business Games Using Self-Organizing Data Mining with the Group Method of Data Handling, ISAGA (International Simulation and Gaming Association).
Hobbies
Family, travel, strategic games and MMA
Other
Awards
President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Walla Walla University, 2016. Certificate of Merit, University of Arizona, 1993. “Best Research” (First Prize) in Individual Competition, National Scientific Session for Students in Economics Sponsored by Bulgarian Ministry of Education, 1980.
Nominations
International Advisory Council, ISAGA (International Simulation and Gaming Association), 2013-Present. Honored to be included as VIP in the 2012 Covington Who’s Who. BILTMORE Who’s Who, 2011.
Specialties
Quantitative Methods, Information Systems, Data Mining and Predictive Analytics
Publications
Over 90 peer reviewed papers and presentations (incl. 5 textbooks) on Predictive analytics, Business Forecasting, Information Systems, Econometric models, Computer Simulation on Economic Systems and Management Simulation Games
George Perez
Assistant Professor of Management and Marketing
(509) 527-2952
george.perez@wallawalla.edu
Education
- PhD(abd) - Organizational Leadership, Andrews University
- MS - Administration, Andrews University
Teaching Areas
Business Ethics, Business Communication, Principles of Management, Strategic Management and Organizational Behavior
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
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.
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 . . . "
Steven VanOrden
Adjunct Professor of Management and Marketing
(509) 527-2951
steven.vanorden@wallawalla.edu
Education
- Master's of Public Administration (MPA), City University, Seattle
- BA - International Business, Washington State University
Teaching Areas
Business Basics, Personal Finance, Principles of Management, Strategic Management
Experience
- Certified Senior Care Manager (CSCM)
- Certified Medical Staff Recruiter (CMSR)
- Certificate of Achievement, Leadership Walla Walla
- Over 25 years combined career experience in Government, Humanitarian Work, HealthCare, and Entrepreneurship.
- Have owned and operated several small businesses, including a Medical Recruitment Company and a Home Care Agency.
Hobbies
Fly fishing, diving, golfing, mountain and road biking, playing drums, world travel and most outdoor activities
Awards
- WWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award, 2015
- WWU Excellence in Academic Advisement Award, 2017
Collaborating Faculty (Adjunct)
- Clarence Anderson, PhD (Academic Advising)
- Duane Anderson, MS (Information Systems)
- Michael Cafferky, DBA (Management)
- Preston Carman, MBA, MS (Information Systems)
- Jennifer Carpenter, JD (Human Resource Management)
- Rachelle Gillham-Ellis, MBA, CPA (Business Basics, Accounting)
- Steve Mantle, MBA (Management)
- Curtis Nelson, PhD (Global Development)
- Ken Vyhmeister, MS, CPA (Accounting)
- Scott Wagner, MBA (Finance)
