Instructors

Valerie Alexander-Bailey, C.P.P., Valerie has spent her 25 years in the payroll industry working as Payroll Manager, Operations Manager and Human Resources Manager for companies such as McClatchy Newspapers, Oracle Corporation and Lakemont Homes. Valerie is the advisor for the Payroll Administration Certificate Program. She is also co-author to Aspen Publisher’s publication titled, Basic Guide to California Payroll, a National Speaker for the American Payroll Association and is also active with the Local Chapter of the American Payroll Association.

Cyrus Aram brings over 15 years of private and public sector experience in the areas of customer strategy, planning, program, change and quality management. At General Motors (GM), he was responsible for establishing key Customer Relationship Management strategies that targeted high-risk case scenarios as well as architecting an overall customer service solution that significantly reduced cost while increased customer retention. At Electronic Data Systems (EDS), Mr. Aram lead a Decision Support unit responsible for capturing high profile gaps in policy and system audits (for the California DHS) saving in excess of ten million dollars in overpayments and potential fraud. At Vision Service Plan (VSP), Mr. Aram was responsible for the enterprise Customer Relationship Management deployment which delivered 23 business functions, closed 78% of business gaps increasing revenue by 13% while capturing $1 million in savings. Currently at Hewlett-Packard (HP), Mr. Aram is a Senior Business Strategy Manager taking a lead role in the HP/EDS integration effort, the largest technology merger in corporate America history. Mr. Aram holds in MBA from the University of California, Davis and certifications in Project Management (PMP) and Six Sigma (ASQ BB).

Claudia Bridges - Associate Professor of Marketing in the College of Business Administration (CBA) at California State University, Sacramento. Dr. Bridges worked in the insurance, medical product and audio/video industries and in corporate communications for A. C. Nielson. She returned to school for an MBA in Finance to pursue a career in investor relations but instead continued on for a PhD in Marketing in order to pursue an opportunity to teach her real passion, marketing, and conduct research in an area of great interest to her, environmental sustainability. She both conducts research in this field and teaches courses on this topic and how it can be integrated into marketing strategy.

George "Mike" Brunelle, M.A., has worked in vocational education in Sacramento City Unified School District for 31 years. During this time, he has worked extensively with special populations. He has been a site principal at an adult education vocational center, and is currently a director II in the career and technical preparation department.

Nancy Compton, M.A., C.P.P., is a program specialist with the adult, career, & technical preparation division of the Sacramento City Unified School District. Her background includes teaching at both the adult and college levels in the areas of ESL, VESL, and communications studies. In 2001, she received the Excellence in Teaching award from the California Council for Adult Education.

Cathy L. Daly is an instructor in the College of Business Administration at California State University, Sacramento.

Tamara Dorris has nearly 20 years in corporate communications, marketing, and project management. Dorris is the author of five personal and professional development books and numerous articles, manuals, and reports. She holds a master’s degree in communications and a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. Dorris is an adjunct professor, with expertise in marketing, sales, ethics, critical thinking, writing, and communications. She is also a professional Realtor® and instructor.

Craig L. Duehring, M.S., P.E., P.M.P., is a procurement engineer for the California Department of General Services. He leads an integrated products team for the state's procurement division and utilizes project management principles to help manage large and complex procurements.

Evelyn Eagleton, M.A., is the assistant superintendent of Career and Alternative Education for the Merced County Regional Occupation Program.

Cindy Edwards, a Sacramento State Alum, is an instructional design consultant and practitioner. She has over 18 years experience with a wide range of industries and subjects from healthcare to highways. No matter what the topic is, her passion is learning. Designing curriculum for web-based courses provides her with an evolving landscape for generating and exploring new ideas (briefly quenching an insatiable curiosity); teaching courses gives her first-hand insight of the needs of the learners. Cindy and her husband, Ralph, enjoy their shared time with friends and family all over Northern California and Oregon.

Renee Fernandez - Green Squad Area Manager, Waste Management Inc. Renee's background includes: energy and water efficiency; renewable energy; solid and toxic waste management; recycling programs and LEED consulting.

Steve Gottlieb is a veteran law enforcement officer and the author of Crime Analysis: From First Report to Final Arrest. He provides consulting services to law enforcement agencies throughout the world.

Michael Grabow has over 20 years of experience in human resource development and management with global organizations. He specializes in creating workplace training and development programs and has a passion for seeing the human potential within organizations realized, released and renewed.

Phoebe Kelsoe, Ph.D., is retired from the crime analysis unit, special investigations bureau at the Riverside County sheriff's department.

Dohn Kissinger, MBA, Ph.D., PMP, helps organizations plan projects so they finish on time and within budget. He has over 25 years of business and project management experience, and is the developer of The 7 Steps to Project Success™. He was awarded an MBA at California State University, Sacramento and a Ph.D. in Engineering from Purdue University. He is certified as a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) in both Microsoft Project and Microsoft Project Server, as a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) in Enterprise Project Management, and as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Fred Klammt is principal of WinSol.org specializing in adapting appropriate and leading edge processes and technologies for the built environment, with a special focus on low-cost and embodied energt.
Fred has studied directly with Dr. Michael Braungart (co-author of Cradle-to-Cradle™) in Germany; and with Dr. Deming on Quality Management issues. Over the past 30 years, Mr. Klammt has been a leader and manager of large projects for various Corporate Real Estate and Facility Management departments in over 40 Fortune 100 companies including: Cisco, Northrop Grumman, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Sun Microsystems, Southern Cal Edison, USC, Paramount Studios, and others. Fred was one of California’s first Certified Energy Auditor in 1978, and is a certified Baldrige Certified Quality Auditor for the State of California and Senate Productivity Awards. Fred currently teaches at California State University at Sacramento in Green Business operations and at the University of Applied Science at Kufstein, Austria on Green Buildings. On a personal note, Fred has designed and owner built three passive solar homes, his current residence being totally off the grid, closed loop and net-zero operating cost. Mr. Klammt’s expertise includes • Cradle to Cradle™ evaluations and analysis • Adaptive Project Management • Industrial Ecology process analyses • Systems Dynamic Modeling • Carbon + Embedded Energy Analyses + Benchmarking • Lo-Cost Solar systems • Organizational Development • Financial and LCA analysis • Training + Strategic Planning Mr. Klammt has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wyoming and Associates in Electromechanical from Southern Illinois University. Fred’s personal activities include working with Architects for Humanity, Engineers without Borders, and Habitat for Humanity.

Dr. Monica Lam is a professor of Management Information Sciences (MIS) at California State University, Sacramento. She holds a Certificate of Management Accounting (CMA) and is the coauthor of two books on accounting technology.

David Lang is an associate professor in the College of Business Administration at Sacramento State.

Kris Lea, MSOD, CEO and Principal of Zygos Consulting. (October 12, 2009) Kris Lea is working as a training developer under contract for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in Sacramento, CA. Her role involves developing and delivering a large-scale training program for an IT implementation for a local state agency. Kris has worked as a training professional in many industries: high tech (Intel Corporation); healthcare (Kaiser Permanente), and now, in transportation (SAIC). She also works part time with CSUS, College of Continuing Education (CCE) in various programs. She has an undergraduate degree in Information Systems from the University of Phoenix; a certificate in Instructional Design from CSUS-CCE; and a Masters of Science in Organization Development from University of San Francisco. Additionally, Kris consults via her own practice: Zygos Consulting, which is a growing business dedicated to providing balance in the workplace. Learn more: www.zygos.biz. Kris believes that education is transformative and that all education is valuable. She summarizes her experiences in teaching and learning as an ongoing cycle of education, life-long learning, that has provided professional growth, as well as personal tremendous contentment.

Jannene Litchfield, MBA, SPHR is a human resources professional with 20 years experience. She specializes in management development, strategic planning, organizational development, employee relations, and retention. She is also skilled in creating and implementing business metrics, management and employee practices, compensation systems, facilitating, and employee communication.

Niel L. Malvetti, Ph.D. served as the Director of Training, Development and Research for the Sacramento County Office of Education for many years. He was responsible for a variety of professional development programs and services designed to improve individual and organizational effectiveness. Niel has developed numerous training programs, on topics such as collaborative problem solving, team development, effective meetings, quality customer service, and continuous improvement tools and techniques. In addition, he has been certified as a Master Facilitator for the FranklinCovey programs which allowed him to train and certify other facilitators for these programs. He received his Ph.D. in Social/Organizational Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. He has taught a variety of classes for the CSUS College of Continuing Education and UC, Davis Extension. He is past President of the California Educational Research Association and has presented at numerous state, regional, and national conferences. He now serves as the CEO of the consulting firm Malvetti, Bersinger & Associates.

Denis "Joe" McCarthy, M.A., is an instructor in the department of educational administration and policy studies at California State University, Sacramento.

Kathleen McPherson, MBA, has been an instructor in the Analytical Skills program since inception. She has been instrumental in the selection of content, contract customization and oversight, as well as the use of assessment tools. She has over 15 years of experience as a legislative analyst, consultant and instructor. Kathleen has participated directly in policy analysis and implementation for state government and legislative advocacy for a nonprofit trade association. Her consulting projects include; a Business Process Analysis for the Department of Managed Health Care and two Workload Studies for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

George Mettee is a Technical Publications Specialist/Lead for Applied Materials, Glass Division, Fairfield, California. He has been a technical writer and trainer since 1984. George graduated from San Jose State University, earning a BA in English/Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential, and an MA in Instructional Technology (Education). Also, he teaches online courses, Business/Academic Writing and Critical Thinking, for the University of Phoenix.

Mark Mitchell has been an instructor with the College of Continuing Education since the Fall of 1986, teaching in the Telecommunications Management, Purchasing Management, Contract Management and the Project Management Programs. He is a credentialed California Teacher with a Lifetime Teaching Credential. He works for the Department of Corrections, in the Contract and Procurement Section and has previously worked in the Project Management Office. He has worked for the State for over 23 years, and has been responsible for some of the largest state procurements in recent years, as well as Project Oversight for the Consolidated Information Technology Project at CDCR. . Mark lives in Folsom, California. His wife, Nancy, also works for the State at the Department of Motor Vehicles. He has two sons, Brian age 28 and Douglas, age 20. Mark is an avid traveler, having traveled to 5 continents. He also enjoys painting and other forms of art.

Scott Modell has a doctorate in teacher education and a master’s in adapted physical education from Florida State University. Dr. Modell is a professor of kinesiology in the Health Science Department at California State University, Sacramento.

Charlotte O’Hara has worked as a Project Manager and Technical Writer for over 24 years. She spent sixteen years of her career with Kaiser Permanente as a Writer, Documentation Specialist, Instructional Designer, and Manager of the National Publications department. Charlotte also worked as a Technical Project Manager. She is currently employed with Delta Dental as the Manager of Special Projects. She manages major government proposals and implementations for Delta Dental of California, Federal Services division. In 2002, Charlotte held the office of President for the Sacramento Chapter of the Society of Technical Communicators (STC). She has been an active leader of STC for a number of years. Charlotte was instrumental in the course development of the Technical Information Certificate Program and the newly revised Technical Communication Certificate Program.

Rich Overton is a certified ICI Instructor who currently teaches in the ICI Homicide and ICI Robbery Investigation courses. He is a 27 plus year Investigator with Sacramento Police Department.

Dept. Chair of the Educational Administration and Policy Studies.

Margaret Rogers, M.A., has been a teacher for over 40 years and has been involved in adult and career technical education for over 30 years. She is an experienced classroom teacher, program administrator, and professional development facilitator. Retired from adult education in the San Juan Unified School District, she works as an education consultant at the state and national levels. She currently works for OTAN and CALPRO in professional development projects for adult educators

William Settlage. Business Strategy Manager, Hewlett Packard. Over the past 20 years, Bill has applied systems thinking and architected global business solutions to improve organizational effectiveness and reduce costs. He specializes in business transformation and strategic process design. Bill recently architected the world-wide operating model for HP’s 1400 person global supply chain services organization as part of the EDS acquisition. The new operating model will drive $1 billion in bottom line savings. He has also designed the procurement process to control all IT spending for Hewlett-Packard world-wide. In addition to his HP responsibilities, Bill teaches business analyst courses and facilitates strategic workshops. Bill has a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science and is a Certified ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt.

Gary Slavit, P.M.P., is a founder of Chambray Advisors which provides training, human resources, technology, and general business consulting that specializes in helping very small businesses, startups, and non-profit organizations. The company also provides project management services to all size businesses. He has over 25 years of experience in business, consulting, information technology, and project management.

Louise Stymeist, M.S., has been involved in career and technical education for more than 15 years. She is an experienced classroom teacher, program administrator and small business owner. Working in public education has intensified her passion for powerful teaching, curriculum development, standards integration, project-based learning, and program development. She is currently the ROP coordinator for the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Alan Suleiman - Technology Manager, SMUD and Assistant Professor, Interior Design Department, Sacramento State.

John Tamblyn, Ph.D., is an associate professor at CSUS and has over 30 years experience teaching high school and 21 years experience at CSUS teaching health science and teacher education courses.

William Teeple, M.B.A., has an extensive background in contracting, procurement and process improvement through his work and teaching in these areas. He has over 20 years experience in contracting and manufacturing.

Margie Tomenko is a practicing project manager with over 10 years PM experience. She has worked for Tandem Computers, DST Output, and currently, for Computer Deductions, Inc. Margie earned her PMP certification from Project Management Institute (PMI) and her Bachelors degree in Computer Science from Purdue University. After obtaining the Community College teaching credential, Margie has been teaching on-line and in-person classes for over 15 years, both Project Management as well as computer related courses. Project Management is a natural for Margie - the multi-tasking, the people interfacing, the coordination and creative thinking all work to provide an adrenalin rush that makes working - and teaching - a pleasure! Margie is eager to share her knowledge and experience with you! Feel free to contact her with any questions you may have.

Lee Towe, M.B.A., P.M.P., is a project manager and senior trainer for PMLeader.com, one of the Project Management Institute's (PMI) Charter Registered Education Providers. He is one of PMI's presenters for SeminarsWorld and is the primary author of the human resource chapter of the 2004 Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge®.

Kristin Van Gassbeck is an associate professor in the College of Business Administration at Sacramento State.

Dennis Wade, M.A., is principal of People Development Systems. His 16 years as an adult educator and his 10 years with Intel Corporation helped prepare him to provide employee development consulting services. Change management, leadership, team development, management skills, customer service, and performance-based training are some of his areas of expertise.

Jon Wilhite has over 14 years of training and development experience. He began his career with Walt Disney Company as a field trainer for The Disney Stores and then spent several years in the banking industry as a training facilitator and course designer. He developed training programs for call centers at First Nationwide Bank and Westamerica Bank. He is currently the training manager for Thunder Valley Casino, specializing in leadership and relationship breakthrough development training programs.