The Walker College of Business welcomes 15 new faces as faculty and staff members for the fall term.
Accounting
Mike Neel, Associate Professor
Dr. Michael Neel joins the faculty in the Department of Accounting as an associate professor. Neel brings previous experience as an assistant professor at the University of North Texas and the University of Houston, where he was actively engaged in service roles such as university-wide teaching effectiveness and college-wide teaching innovations award committees. Neel’s research focuses on cross-country differences in financial reporting, corporate risk management and the role of information in corporate reporting, contracting and financial markets. Neel earned a master’s degree in economics from North Carolina State University and a PhD in Accounting from Texas A&M University. Neel can be reached by email at neelmj@appstate.edu.
Martha Combs, Lecturer
Martha Combs joins the faculty in the Department of Accounting as a lecturer, after teaching business and accounting for six years at Wilkes Community College and four years at Hickory High School. She also brings ten years’ experience in public, nonprofit, and corporate accounting, giving her a broad perspective on the profession and a passion for helping students connect classroom concepts to real-world business decisions. Combs holds a Master of Science in Accounting from Liberty University, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business Management from North Carolina State University, and a graduate certificate in CTE Business Education from App State. She can be reached by email at combsmh@appstate.edu.
Brandy Havens, Lecturer
Brandy Havens joins the faculty as a lecturer in the Department of Accounting. Havens is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) with experience in general accounting, SEC financial reporting, and Big 4 public accounting. Havens has worked as a technical writer and subject matter expert in the development of accounting and finance educational materials and continuing professional education courses. She has been developing and teaching online accounting courses for the past 20 years and enjoys the opportunity to guide and support others as they pursue their career development goals. Havens earned her BS in Accounting and MBA from High Point University. She can be reached by email at havensbm@appstate.edu.
Computer Information Systems
Hailey Martin, Lecturer
Hailey Martin, who had previously served the Department of Computer Information Systems as an adjunct faculty member, will now serve as a lecturer in the department. Martin holds three Microsoft Office Specialist Excel certifications and is a two-time App State alumna, having earned her BSBA in Computer Information Systems, and MS Applied Data Analytics from App State. Martin can be reached by email at martinhn@appstate.edu.
Economics
Renato Molina, Associate Professor
Dr. Renato Molina joins the faculty as an associate professor in the Department of Economics and will serve as the inaugural Stephenson Family Distinguished Scholar. Molina previously served as assistant professor of environmental and resource economics in the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and Miami Herbert Business School. An internationally recognized environmental economist, Molina's research examines how people, markets, and institutions respond to environmental challenges. Molina earned his PhD in Economics as well as master’s degrees in Economics and Environmental Science and Management from University of California, Santa Barbara. Molina can be reached by email at molina@appstate.edu.
Related: Molina named inaugural Stephenson Family Distinguished Scholar
Finance, Banking & Insurance
Hank Miller, Executive in Residence
Hank Miller joins the faculty as an executive in residence in the Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance. With more than 25 years of experience in aviation and law, Miller brings extensive industry knowledge in the business aviation space, including roles as chief pilot, director of operations, and executive leadership for multiple air carriers. He holds a commercial helicopter license and is active with Helicopter Association International and the National Business Aviation Association. He has managed a variety of aviation departments of major businesses and organizations. Miller attended the US Military Academy at West Point, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Michigan State University, and holds a Juris Doctor and master’s degree in environmental law from Vermont Law and Graduate School. Miller can be reached by email at millerhl5@appstate.edu.
Connor Lubsen, Lecturer
Connor Lubsen joins the faculty as a lecturer in the Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance. Lubsen is an App State alumnus, having earned BSBA degrees in Risk Management & Insurance and Economics from the Walker College. Lubsen earned a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Wyoming and is a candidate for Ph.D. from the same. Lubsen can be reached by email at lubsencs@appstate.edu.
The Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance also welcomes four adjunct faculty members.
- John Chastain, chastainj@appstate.edu
- Jami Fay, fayj@appstate.edu
- Omar Gonzalez, gonzalezo@appstate.edu
- Temy Clemons, clemonst@appstate.edu
Management
Gary Young, Lecturer
Gary Young joins the faculty as a lecturer in the Department of Management. Young has previously served as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Computer Information Systems and brings 30+ years of business and leadership experience, including roles spanning from serving as a consultant at KPMG to senior director of business analytics at SAS Institute to executive vice president at a data apps startup company. Young’s research interests include the use and impact of data analytics in the private sector, modern sports analytics use cases, adoption and innovative uses of AI and digital transformation. Young earned his BSBA in Accounting from App State and holds an MBA from the Naveen Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas. Young can be reached by email at younggm3@appstate.edu.
The Department of Management also welcomes three adjunct faculty members.
- Hunter Bass, basshw@appstate.edu
- Tina Dao, daotl@appstate.edu
- Jennifer Kirby-McLemore, kirbymclemorejm@appstate.edu
Dean’s Office
Krista Dancy, Academic Advisor
The Walker College welcomes Krista Dancy as an academic advisor in the Business Academic Advising Center. Dancy previously worked with first and second year students at App State. She is a two-time App State alumna, having earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Elementary Education and Teaching. Dancy can be reached by email at dancyks@appstate.edu.
Changes to College Leadership, Staff
Additional people changes in the college include the following staff and leadership changes.
Department Chairs
- Dr. H. Kristl Davison, an associate professor, has been named chair of the Department of Management in the Walker College of Business.
Related: Kristl Davison to serve as chair in the Department of Management - Dr. Chris McNeil, a professor, has been named interim chair of the Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance.
College Roles
- Scott Bowie Gray has been named director of sustainable business and resilience in the Walker College.
Related: Scott Bowie Gray to serve as director of sustainable business and resilience for the Walker College of Business - Dr. Jacqueline Tilton has been named director of Appalachian State University’s MBA program.
Related: Tilton named director of Appalachian State University’s MBA program - Lauren Stansberry, who previously served as administrative assistant in the Department of Management, will now serve as assistant to the senior associate dean and scholarship coordinator for the Walker College.
Academic Program Directors
- Dr. Judith Billups has been named director of the Professional Selling program.
- Dr. Danni Capps has been named director of the Hospitality & Tourism Management program.