Opportunities in sales

As part of the new Professional Sales Program, the College of Business has implemented a Sales Advisory Board comprised of six prominent executives with vast experience. The Board, which will serve as a support for the new program, includes individuals like Idaho State alumnus and former National Football League player Merril Hoge, as well as local commercial real estate broker and former executive with General Electric and Oracle Don Zebe, who established the first scholarship endowment for the sales program and will serve as chairperson of the group.

“The Board members will support [the Professional Sales Program] by providing their time, input and expertise in collaboration with outside sales professionals,” said Zebe. “[This will ensure] that students are getting the education and mentorship needed to succeed.”

Listed below are the other members of the Board (in order of appearance in photo): Eric Driscoll, an Aberdeen, Idaho native and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of United Ag & Turf Northeast, which recently acquired 10 John Deere dealerships, including 25 locations and 480 employees throughout the northeastern U.S.

Kent Malinowski, CEO of SuccessWorks Inc., a sales training and coaching company with a unique sales methodology including systems for hiring people, managing the sales pipeline and the sales process.

Virginia Lee Williams, Vice President of Global Customer Success at Planview, Inc., an international leader in resource management tools. Jeff Wimer, Chief Development Officer and Career Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual in Boise, Idaho.

“The Sales Advisory Board members will be involved with curriculum development and will help guide students through the internship and career process,” said Zebe.

The Board will meet twice a year with College of Business Dean Dr. Shane Hunt to provide their input on curriculum and other topics within the program, helping to continue to build opportunities and skills in sales for any student in the University.