College of Business Welcomes New Faculty and Staff

The College of Business has several new faculty and staff joining this year. Here are some of the new faculty introducing themselves.

Ms. Jessica Franson comes to the COB from the LTS department where she worked with Desire 2 Learn, SPSS and other support technologies. A UW-Eau Claire alumna, Ms. Franson graduated with a double major in German and organizational communication. After graduation, she worked as a grant writer at a community action agency for a year before realizing she needed to be back at UW-Eau Claire. Currently she is working on her master’s in educational technology through an online program from the University of Missouri Columbia and plans to graduate in May 2008.

Mr. Don Gaber is the newest member of the information systems department, joining as a lecturer. Mr. Gaber recently completed his MS at UW-Stout in career and technical education. Prior to arriving at UW-Eau Claire, he held various jobs from metal fabrication and welding, to auto technician, to security work in Texas, to resort management in California. In the mid-1980s Mr. Gaber enrolled in an electronics and computer technician program. After graduating, he worked in the Chippewa Valley area for 15 years as an IT professional. In 2001 he accepted a teaching position at Wisconsin Indian Head Technical College in Ashland.

Dr. Jonathon Halbesleben joins the management and marketing department as an assistant professor of management. Dr. Halbesleben came to UW-Eau Claire from the University of Missouri where he held a position in the Department of Health Management and Informatics in the School of Medicine. Prior to that, he was a visiting assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma. A native of Wausau, Dr. Halbesleben received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Winona State University. He then earned his master’s and Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational psychology from the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Shawna Kovach has recently been hired as the preceptor for the Health Care Administration program. She will supervise students in their practicum experience and coordinate student placement. Dr. Kovach has both an undergraduate and graduate degree from UW-Superior, a certificate in Long-Term Care Administration from UW-Madison and a doctorate of Education in Health Care Administration from NOVA Southeastern University in Florida. Prior to arriving at the College of Business, she was director of a substance abuse and mental health clinic. Recently she was presented with the “City of Chippewa Falls Mayoral Award” for her community leadership endeavors.

UW-River Falls alumna, Ms. Stacy Lacktorin-Revier joins the accounting and finance department as an associate lecturer in accounting. She has both a bachelor’s and a master’s from UW-River Falls and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration from Argosy University in Chicago. Prior to arriving at the College of Business, she worked as an auditor at the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Mr. Tom Mihajlov joins the accounting and finance department as an executive in residence for finance. Originally from the north side of Chicago, he received his undergraduate degree from UW-Oshkosh and his MBA from UW-Eau Claire. He recently completed the AACSB Bridge Program, a five-day intensive seminar that helps prepare executives to teach in college and university business programs. Mr. Mihajlov has been a commercial loan officer for most of his professional life and recently was president of S & C Bank in Eau Claire.

Dr. Lou Orchard joins the accounting and finance department as an assistant professor. Originally from Spokane, WA, Dr. Orchard earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Washington and his PhD from the University of Arizona. Previously he has worked at the University of Houston and at Wichita State University.

Joining the COB is Ms. Meredith Wolf, communications and administrative specialist for the Center for Health and Aging Services Excellence. She is a graduate of UW-Eau Claire’s communication and journalism program and has a graduate certificate in health and aging services administration. For the past four years, Ms. Wolf has worked as CHASE's outreach coordinator. Before that, she planned continuing education seminars and worked in staffing and human resources.