Our DBA students are a varied group!  They represent numerous industries and occupations.  To help give you an idea who are students are, we have included a few short biographies to give you an indication of the diversity of individuals in the program.

 

Jerry Allison is the owner of Allison Financial Services.  He is also an assistant professor at Black Hawk College, where he has taught accounting, algebra, finite mathematics and business analysis.  He has a BA in Mathematics from Tennessee Temple University, a MS in Mathematics from the University of Iowa, an MBA from St Ambrose, and is a CPA.  His hobbies include reading and computer programming.   

Shawn Duster is Project Manager, Computer Security Architecture and Infrastructure Support, with John Deere at the Worldwide Headquarters. He received his BS from Clarke College, majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science. At St. Ambrose University, he completed an MBA with a concentration in Management Information Systems.  He is a major supporter of the Rock Island Arts and Entertainment District.  Shawn takes every opportunity with a great group of friends to make the most of what little time we have on this planet! 
Deidre Eaton is an Industrial Engineer with the U.S. Army Industrial Operations Command’s Value Engineering Team located in Rock Island, Illinois. Deidre conducts courses in Value Engineering. She has a BS in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia and an MS in Management Science from Troy State University, Fort Benning, Georgia. She is currently the treasurer of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a member of the Society of Black Engineers.

Mike Gacioch is a Product Safety and Compliance Engineer for John Deere in Dubuque, Iowa, serving as a consultant to engineers for all of Deere’s construction equipment products.  His background includes experience in marketing, occupational safety, facilities engineering, tool design and industrial engineering.  Mike has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkston University and an MBA from the University of Dubuque.  He holds a State of Iowa Professional Engineers License and is a Certified Safety Professional.  Sailing the Mighty Mississippi and hiding from civilization in the great outdoors are Mike’s “spare time” activities.

Sana J. Harb is currently the Executive Director of the American Heart Association in Eastern Iowa. The AHA mission is to reduce death and disability from cardiovascular disease and stroke through research and education. She has an MBA from St. Ambrose University and a BA in Accounting and Business Management from Mount St. Clare College.  Previously, Sana taught Business and Finance classes at Birzeit University in the Holy Land and with her husband, Nidel, built and managed a state of the art cardiology center. When she is not working or preparing for her DBA classes, Sana enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. Sana recently accepted a one year appointment with St. Ambrose University's College of Business.  
Keith Hechtel is Director of Sales and Business Development for American Profol, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the world’s largest manufacturer of cast polypropylene film. The parent company also has three plants in Germany. Keith earned a BS in Geology from State University of New York at Oneonta and an MS in Industrial Technology from Illinois State University. He frequently writes articles for trade magazines and has conducted numerous plastics education seminars throughout the country.   
Michele A. Herlein is the Manager, Human Resource Development at Bandag, Incorporated in Muscatine, Iowa.  She is responsible for ensuring that Bandag employees have the capabilities to achieve the strategic direction of the organization.  She earned her BS in Marketing, minor in Economics and her MA in Organizational Communication from Northern Illinois University.  Michele resides in Bettendorf with her husband, Doug, and two children: Daniele, 14 and Jessica, 12.

Patrick Hibbeler is a Branded Retail Region Manager for Norpac Food Sales.  Norpac is a farmer- owned vegetable cooperative based in Oregon.  Pat is responsible for the retail grocery class of trade in the Midwest and Southern markets.  Pat majored in Business and Economics at Culver Stockton College and has an MBA in marketing from Western Illinois University.  Pat enjoys skiing, golf, boating, and scuba diving.  

Richard Jayne is an Operations Research Analyst with the U.S. Army Operations Support Command, where he works with simulation modeling, statistical analysis, and operations research applications.  He holds a BS in Mathematics from St. Ambrose College; an MS in Mathematics from Western Illinois University; an MS in Engineering in Computer Aided Design from the University of Michigan, and completed his MBA at St Ambrose University.  Richard spent eleven years in Frankfurt/Main, Germany working for the U.S. Army V Corps in Resource Management. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi, National Engineering Society.  When time allows, his interests are skiing, running, and horses.  Running events include a marathon (3hr 11 min) and a 24 Hour Run (72miles). Served on the board of the Frankfurt Ski Club, Cornbelt Running Club, Race for the Cure, and the Combined Federal Campaign.  

  

Dick Kleine earned his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from St. Louis University.  He received his MBA from the University of Iowa.  Dick began his career with John Deere in 1959 as an Industrial Engineer. In 1995, Dick was named Vice President of Quality for Deere & Company where his role was to help the Company achieve business excellence through customer satisfaction, process improvement and people. Dick retired in 1998 after a wonderful career with John Deere, but he has continued to be very active in the Community during his retirement.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Carmelite System,  Southeast Bank, Handicapped Development Center, Davenport Interfaith Housing, Assumption High School, The Center for Active Seniors (CASI) and the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend. He serves on the Advisory Council for the Business School at St. Ambrose U. and on committees of the Explorer Scout Program and United Way.  He is also a member of the Davenport Rotary Club, Diocese and Church councils and serves as Trustee at his Church. 

Cindy Murphy is an Office Administration Program Coordinator and Business Instructor at Southeastern Community College (SCC) in West Burlington, Iowa. She earned her MBA and Bachelor's degrees from Western Illinois University. She also earned an AA and a diploma from SCC and has earned her Certified Professional Secretary rating. Cindy previously served several years as the Executive Assistant to the President at SCC. She is currently the Chair of the SCC Alumni Association.  In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, traveling, her husband Tom and her cat, as well as spending time with good friends.

 
Wayne Stacey is the Business Manager/Comptroller at the Exelon Nuclear-Quad Cities Station, where he has guided the organization's leadership team in developing their Business Plan for 2001-2003.  He holds a BS in Economics from Randolph-Macon College, and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.  Wayne retired from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as a Colonel.  He enjoyed the experience of working overseas, in the Philippines.  He is working towards the goal of teaching and consulting, especially overseas.

Arnie Vaske is Manager of Financial Systems for American Transmission Company, an electric transmission utility headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin.  Prior to working for American Transmission, Arnie worked for Alliant Energy, Interstate Power Company, and Arthur Andersen.  Arnie holds CPA, CMA, CIA and CFM certifications and earned an MBA from the University of Dubuque.  Arnie’s hobbies include aviation, fishing, and gardening.  He is a past president of the Dubuque Kiwanis Club.