College Directory

Room 300
McDonald Hall
Phone: 406.657.2812
Fax: 406.657.2327

group photo of the College of Business faculty at MSU Billings

College of Business Staff

Burke, Ms. Kathie Administrative Associate		McD 300 657-2326 kburke@msubillings.edu


B.S., Creighton University, 1970; M.B.A., (audited) University of Montana, 1998

Rickard, Dr. Scott Director, Center for Applied Economic Research http://www.msubillings.edu/caer/		McD 113 657-1763 srickard@msubillings.edu




Wilkinson, Dr. Timothy Interim Dean; Professor		McD 300 657-2326 timothy.wilkinson@msubillings.edu


B.S., University of Wyoming, 1985; M.P.A., University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 1988; Ph.D. University of Utah, 1996

Business Administration Department Faculty & Staff

Amundson, Mr. Gary Adjunct Instructor, Business/Finance http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/amundson/		McD 203 657-1610 gamundson@msubillings.edu

B.S. Business Education, Montana State University, 1973; M.S. Business Education, Montana State University, 1981

Adjunct Instructor Gary Amundson leads the Internship Program and the Online Business Degree. He was honored with the MSU Billings 2007 Faculty Excellence Award for Non-Tenured Faculty and an Outstanding Teacher for 2002-2003. At the University of Arizona he was given Emeritus Status in 2004 for his significant work on the Industry Advisory Council. Gary has conducted business throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

Brown, Mr. Douglas Professor, Accounting, CPA http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/Brown/		McD 110 657-2135 dsbrown@msubillings.edu

B.S.B.A., University of Denver, 1973; M.B.A., University of Colorado, 1979; C.P.A.

Professor Doug Brown, MBA, CPA, has 22 years of experience working with domestic and international major corporations, including Lockheed Martin, Wal-Mart, Sony/Tri-Star Entertainment, and Procter & Gamble. He also has a comprehensive background with a Big-4 accounting firm.

Campbell, Mr. Michael Professor, Accounting, CPA http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/campbell/		McD 304B 657-1651 mcampbell@msubillings.edu

B.S., Colorado State University, 1971; M.S., Colorado State University, 1975; C.P.A.

Professor Michael Campbell, MS, CPA, has experience as an auditor for a Big-4 accounting firm, as an accountant for a national manufacturing company and as Controller and Chief Financial Officer for a large not-for-profit organization and a real estate development company. He is a specialist in accounting systems implementation.

Dockery, Ms. Brenda Instructor, Marketing		McD 310 657-2212 bdockery@msubillings.edu

B.S.B.A., MSU Billings, 2001; M.S., Eastern Michigan University, 2010.

Brenda Dockery is an Adjunct Instructor of Marketing. She teaches undergraduate courses in principles of marketing and professional selling. Brenda has dedicated her teaching to help students understand the realm of marketing through experiential marketing exercises. Her marketing curriculum includes mystery shops, cold calls, marketing plans and relationship building. Brenda brings to the college more than 25 years of advertising experience in radio, television and newspaper. In addition, she holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) from Eastern Michigan University.

Erhardt, Dr. Emil Assistant Professor, Finance		McD 104 657-1609 emil.erhardt@msubillings.edu





Farsio, Dr. Farzad Professor Emeritus, Economics, Finance http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/Farsio/		McD ffarsio@msubillings.edu

B.A., Tehran University, 1976; M.B.A., Northrop University 1978; Ph.D., Claremont Graduate School, 1989

Dr. Farzad Farsio is a primary author of the textbook Understanding Macroeconomics co-authored with Professor Edwin Dolan of Yale University. He has also published numerous articles in refereed journals, some of which have been coauthored with MSU Billings Finance students. His recent works have been published in Journal of Business and Economic Perspectives, The Financier, Journal of Accounting and Finance Studies, and Indian Journal of Economics and Business. He was the recipient of the Faculty Achievement Award at MSU Billings, three years consecutively, the most recent one in 2007.

Fazel, Dr. Shokoofeh Adjunct Associate Professor, Economics/Finance http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/Fazel/		McD sfazel@msubillings.edu

B.A. Bombay University, India, 1975; M.S., Davars College, India, 1976; M.S., Bombay University, India, 1977; Ph.D., The Claremont Graduate University, 1992

Dr. Shokoofeh Fazel has been published in many international finance journals, most recently accepted for “Can Money Supply Predict Stock Prices?” in the Journal for Economic Educators.

Gurney, Mr. Brian Adjunct Instructor, Management http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/Gurney/		McD 201 657-2906 bgurney@msubillings.edu

B.S., University of Colorado, 1987; M.B.A., University of Colorado, 1989

Adjunct Assistant Professor Brian Gurney brings years of experience directing project managers in the mining equipment industry. He has received $2.5 million in grants to conduct cutting edge research in the area of hydrogen fuel cell technology, partnering with such organizations as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Montana-Dakota Utilities, and Stillwater Mining. He manages the most sophisticated wireless telecommunications supported fuel cell site in the US, and the only energy producing fuel cell site in Montana.

Harris, Dr. R. Scott Associate Professor, Economics http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/Harris/		McD 258 896-5822 sharris@msubillings.edu

B.A., University of California, 1971; M.A., University of California, 1975; Ph.D., University of California, 1985



Heiat, Dr. Abbas Professor, Information Systems http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/AHeiat/		McD 106 657-1627 aheiat@msubillings.edu

B.A., Tehran Business College, 1971; M.B.A., Oklahoma City University, 1975; Ph.D., Portland State University, 1987

Dr. Abbas Heiat has been the Director of Information Systems for Western Decision Sciences Institute for 15 years and is published in the International Journal of Global Business and Economics, International Journal of Business Research, Journal of International Academy of Business and Economics, European Journal of Management, Journal of Systems and Software, The Journal of Information and Software Technology , Journal of Information Systems Education, and specializes in systems analysis & design, data mining, business intelligence, decision support systems, simulation, programming and networking.

Heiat, Dr. Nafisseh Professor, Information Systems http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/NHeiat/		McD 105 657-2224 nheiat@msubillings.edu

B.A., Tehran Business College, 1971; M.B.A., Oklahoma City University, 1975; Ph.D., Portland State University, 1988

Dr. Nafi Heiat is currently the Conference Chair for the Western Decision Science Institute. She is published in the International Journal of Global Business and Economics, International Journal of Business Research, Journal of International Academy of Business and Economics, and specializes in database management, data warehousing, geographic information systems, and programming.

Hinthorne, Dr. Tom Professor Emeritus, Management http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/Hinthorne/		McD 205 657-2099 thinthorne@msubillings.edu

B.S., Oregon State University, 1964; M.B.A., University of Oregon, 1966; Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1972

Dr. Tom Hinthorne brings 15 years of management experience with a Canadian multi-national forest products company and a mining company. His students have prepared more than 250 business plans for business clients in Montana, winning awards through the University of Montana. He received an MSU Billings Outstanding Teacher Award in 1997 and 2007 and has been published in the Strategic Management Journal, Case Research Journal, and Industrial Management. He has authored cases in several textbooks and is a reviewer for the Case Research Journal and co-editor of the annual meeting proceedings for the North American Case Research Association.

Johnson, Dr. Debra Associate Professor, Accounting/Business Law, CPA http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/Johnson/		McD 253 657-1606 djohnson@msubillings.edu

B.B.A., Grand Valley State University, 1981; M.B.A., Marquette University, 1998; J.D., Marquette University, 2003

Dr. Debra Johnson brings 21 years of tax, legal and accounting experience, having worked for large multinational corporations, including General Electric. Dr. Johnson was the International Transfer Price Director at GE Medical Systems. Dr. Johnson has a MBA degree from Marquette University and a JD from Marquette University Law School. She also has her CPA and attorney licenses. She has published her research in the Journal of Accounting – the most prestigious journal in the accounting field. Dr. Johnson has also worked with the Montana Department of Transportation.

Larsen, Dr. Don Associate Professor, Management http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/larsen/		McD 202 657-2907 dlarsen@msubillings.edu

B.S., Bringham Young University, 1988; M.B.A., Utah State University, 1994; Ph.D., University of Missouri, 2001

Dr. Don Larsen brings experiential learning to his courses in management, leadership, and human resource management. He brings knowledge to the classroom from his experience as a senior auditor for the U.S. Department of Defense and as a consultant. He has published in journals such as SAM Advanced Management Journal and Journal of Business and Psychology.

Leonard, Dr. Jennifer Associate Professor, Management http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/Leonard/		McD 211 657-1689 jleonard@msubillings.edu

A.A., Louisiana Tech University, 1982; B.A., Louisiana Tech University, 1983; M.B.A., Northeastern State University, 1995; Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, 2003

Dr. Jennifer Leonard was a Chief Information Officer for 15 years. She is published in many journals including the Academic Business World International Annual Conference with two Best Presenter Awards. She was nominated for Outstanding Faculty Advisor for MSUBITS and specializes in web design, information management, and strategic management. Her students won an ADDY from the Montana Advertising Federation for web design in 2006.

McNally, Dr. Mary Professor of Management http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/mcnally/		McD 200 657-1650 mmcnally@msubillings.edu

B.S., Worcester State College, 1978; M.B.A., Indiana University, 1980; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1991

Dr. Mary McNally was selected an Outstanding Teacher at MSU Billings for 2002-2003 for her international business and business and the environment classes. Her students have traveled with her on short term study abroad trips to Japan and China, and participate in a unique course on Business and Environmental Issues. Being chosen as a member of Leadership Montana, along with service on the Billings Energy and Conservation Commission, also enhances the experience she brings to the classroom. She has articles published in the Journal of Global Marketing, Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, Natural Resources Journal, Environments, Water Resources Bulletin and Montana Business Quarterly.

Otjen, Dr. A.J. Associate Professor, Marketing http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/otjen/		McD 206 657-1653 aotjen@msubillings.edu

B.A., University of Missouri, 1979; M.B.A., University of Colorado, 1984; Ph.D., University of Missouri, 2001

Dr. A.J. Otjen brings 25 years of industry experience (Vice President of Marketing for Sprint PCS) and is published in the Journal of Marketing Education and the Journal of Advertising among others. Since 2004, Otjen’s students have won a total of eight ADDY awards from the Montana Advertising Association, the Public Service Award from the Montana Broadcaster’s Association, and Four National Small Business Plan Championships for the American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL). AIBL has been the outstanding organization of the year and she was nominated for adviser of the year at MSU-Billings. She is co-winner, along with Dr. Sarah Keller, of the 2007 MSU-Billings Pippinger Award for innovation and excellence in teaching. She received her MBA from the University of Colorado and her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. Her students have developed marketing campaigns for the prevention of Domestic Violence, Go Play, The 2010 City of Billings Energy Conservation Plan, Beartooth Nature Center, and the 2011 Vote for the new Parmly Library.

Robertson, Dr. Adrian Associate Professor, Accounting		McD 208 657-1608

BA, Houston Baptist University, 1984; CPA, State of Texas, 1987; MBA, University of Houston, 2001; PhD, University of North Texas, 2010.

Dr. Adrian Robertson, CPA is a Professor of Accounting at Montana State University Billings and comes into academia after 20 years of experience with small and large CPA firms, corporate management, and private practice. His industry experience has included tax and financial reporting, audit contests and closures, and forensic analysis and testimony. Dr. Robertson’s current focus is upon best-practices in educating the next generation of Accounting and business professionals, investigating and drawing upon the latest in pedagogical techniques and technology. His published research includes the use of multi-channel learning streams, distance education platforms, and mentorship in the education and training of young professionals.

Sah, Dr. Rakesh Associate Professor, Finance		McD 111 657-1652 rsah@msubillings.edu

B.A., Allahabad University, India, 1982; M.A., Lucknow University, India, 1985; M.A., University of Alabama, 1997; Ph.D., University of Alabama, 1999

Dr. Rakesh Sah has graduate degrees in Economics and Finance. He has published in numerous international and national journals including the European Journal of Management, International Academy of Business and Economics and International Journal of Business Research. He was invited to speak on The Global Economic Crisis: Mitigating Strategies at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in December 2009. He also serves as the faculty advisor for the Student Investment Club.

Steerey, Dr. Lorrie Professor, Information Systems http://www.msubillings.edu/businessfaculty/steerey/		McD 255 657-1628 lsteerey@msubillings.edu

B.S., State University of New York, 1971; M.S., Montana State University, 1976; Ed.D., Montana State University, 1984

Marketing: Dr. Lorrie Steerey has been teaching for 26 years with her most recent publication at the Academic Business World International Annual Conference including two Best Presenter Awards, with a specialty in information literacy and communication.

Stewart, Ms. Roberta Administrative Support		McD 305 657-2296 rstewart@msubillings.edu





Stone, Ms. Karen Coordinator of Faculty, Student & Data Management Services		McD 304 657-2812 kstone@msubillings.edu

B.S.B.A., Montana State University Billings, 1985



Wang, Dr. Ying Assistant Professor, Accounting		McD 256 657-2273 ywang@msubillings.edu





Wilkinson, Dr. Timothy Interim Dean; Professor		McD 300 657-2326 timothy.wilkinson@msubillings.edu

B.S., University of Wyoming, 1985; M.P.A., University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 1988; Ph.D. University of Utah, 1996

Dr. Timothy J. Wilkinson is Professor of Marketing at Montana State University Billings, and was until recently the Associate Director of the Institute for Global Business at the University of Akron. Wilkinson, a noted expert in the area of exports and export promotion, has published more than 30 articles in referred journals. These include publications in Long Range Planning, Journal of World Business, Journal of Business Research, Journal of International Business Studies, the Journal of International Management, and the Journal of Small Business Management. He also publishes applied research in journals intended for business people. These articles have appeared in the MIT Sloan Management Review, Business Horizons and the Wall Street Journal. His co-authored book, The Distribution Trap (with Andrew R. Thomas), won the Berry-AMA Prize for the best book in marketing published in 2010.