George E. Connor, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Department Head
Department of Political Science
Missouri State University

 Dr. Gregory W. Dlabach

Dr. Dlabach's record of leadership spans three decades, covers industries such as manufacturing, health care, graphic arts, hospitality/entertainment, horticulture and higher education and includes the implementation and management of large and small scale projects and programs while supervising as many as 500 employees.

Providing leadership at the executive level in public management for two large colleges in two different states allowed him the opportunity to work closely with business and industry leaders from all major sectors of the economy. This experience included the successful implementation of innovative training programs, management of a 24 million dollar annual budget, acquisition of partnerships and capital resources, negotiation with collective bargaining units and government agencies, as well as management for construction projects including a technologically sophisticated 55,000 square foot, 13 million dollar science facility.

Dr. Dlabach has been an invited panelist and speaker to state, regional, national and international audiences. Topics included such things as leadership strategies, requisite factors for creating high performing organizations, and quality-based management principles.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Oklahoma State University, a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics from Missouri State University and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Arkansas.

Linda Boardman Fite

Linda Boardman Fite helps people and organizations find the courage and humor to tackle the problems of change "head-on".  A trainer, speaker, consultant, author, and "edu-tainer" with more than 20 years experience working with Fortune 500, nonprofit, and government organizations. She has worked with employees at every level in an organization to improve accountability, problem solving, communication, attitude, and customer service.  Linda captures participants’ attention with serious educational content presented in an entertaining style. Linda has a unique ability to deliver tough messages in a way that minimizes resistance and accelerates acceptance of individual accountability for dealing with reality and moving forward.

Her formal education is in psychology and sociology, but she swears she is completely recovered.  The Danish consulting firm Connector started her on the road to “edutainment” when they offered her a partnership on condition they could teach her to be a less boringly academic presenter – which they did.  She returned to the US after 5 years (in 1981) and has worked with various consulting firms since then as an independent consultant, trainer, and speaker.  She contracts with organizations and authors, co-designing training and delivering keynotes to support their best-selling books while designing and selling her own books and training products.

Professional Memberships Include:  American Society for Training and Development; National Society for Performance and Instruction, World Future Society, European Women’s Management Development; International Customer Service Association; National Association of Female Executives; and Society for Human Resource Management.  Her biography is included in several Who’s Who reference books.

Linda is married and lives in Springfield, MO with her husband of 5 years and a golden retriever who has mastered the art of selective listening.  Children are grown, all acting like productive citizens.  Grandchildren are spoiling nicely.  Hobbies include travel, hiking, sailing, amateur magic, snorkeling, writing poetry, watching and discussing films and theater, shopping for new and unusual ideas, and fanatical reading.

David Johnson, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science
Missouri State University

 

James Kaatz, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Political Science
Missouri State University

Paul Knudstrup

Prior to establishing a private consulting company in 1990, Paul was executive director of the Fetzer Business Development Center and the Business Research and services Institute at western Michigan University. He has been involved in training and development field for than 28 years. Paul has worked with Penn State University, George Washington University, San Diego State University, Southern Methodist University and Boise State University.

 

 

 

Hal Malterre

Hal has over 22 years as a management consultant and trainer leading customized supervision and management courses. He is an experienced facilitator for strategic planning, marketing positioning, employee training, management development, and teambuilding.

Hal's professional experience includes 20 years as a senior executive with Dillingham Corporation, a multi-billion, multinational corporation. He held the position of President & CEO of Dillingham Maritime Pacific, a division with six subsidiaries. The various subsidiaries provided freight transportation services throughout the Pacific Basin.

Hal also served as a faculty member for five years at Kauai Community College, University of Hawaii. He was the first Coordinator of the Small Business Center. He developed the Certificate of Completion Program in Entrepreneurship, the first such credit program within the University of Hawaii.

Mr. Malterre holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program.

Ronald L. Melchiorre

Ron is the former Executive Director of Boise State University's Center for Management Development. While at the Center, he developed and taught programs in leadership, supervision, sales, and marketing for business, government, law enforcement, and non-profit organizations.

Ron was a Regional Director for Penn State University with responsibility for six campuses, three downtown centers, and the Milton Hershey Medical Center outreach programs.

As Director of Marketing, and Sales for Management Services, he was the leader for domestic and international sales. Ron has worked and taught with Fortune 500 companies as well as medium and small companies.

Ron has over 35 years of experience in program development and teaching. His other experiences involve the managing of an amusement pier in Wildwood, N.J., a summer resort motel, and a 200 seat ocean-front restaurant at the Jersey Shore.

Ron holds a Bachelor and Master's degree from Penn State University and a Certification in Safety from West Chester University in Pennsylvania.

Mark Rushefsky, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Political Science
Missouri State University

 

Scot Scobee

Instructional Partner/Project Manager, Management Development Institute, Missouri State University

Scot is a seasoned business administration and human resource professional with over 20 years experience with a special emphasis in compensation, performance management, conflict resolution, strategic planning, workers' compensation, safety and training and development. Scot has held upper management positions with profit and non-profit organizations in manufacturing, hospitality and charitable giving.

Scot is an enthusiastic trainer able to deliver high impact training to front-line, mid and senior level employees. He has designed and delivered multiple management and safety programs resulting in cost reduction and performance improvement success across several disciplines including orientation programs, performance management, effective interviewing, employment law and supervision. Scot has a special aptitude in synthesizing complex employment law situations and implementing effective strategies that work.

Scot holds a B.S. degree in Human Resource Management from Missouri State University.

Patrick Scott, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Political Science
Missouri State University

Donald Smillie, M.ACC, CPA

Don is a Certified Public Accountant, CPA for Kansas in Missouri and currently holds a permit to practice in Missouri. He holds licenses for Series 7, general securities license and Series 63, life and health insurance. He also is a licensed single engine airline pilot.

Don for many years was a lecturer for accounting in the School of Accountancy at Missouri State University (MSU), Springfield, Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree in Accountancy from Missouri State.

Since 1995 Don has had a private practice in Springfield providing accounting, tax and consulting services. Before that he has many years experience in public accounting.

 

 

Paula M. Wilhelm

Paula is currently the Assistant Human Resources Director, Employee Development and Performance, Missouri State University and has served in her current position for over six years. Paula brings over 25 years experience in personnel Management, Organizational Development, and employee training programs in both corporate and government industries including work with the United States Army, Wal-Mart, Bass Pro Shops, and Missouri State University. Formal education includes a Masters degree in Administrative Studies with an undergraduate degree in Education. she is certified as a MBTI^® practitioner and as a state certified Civil and Family Mediator.