To begin the Fall 2023 semester at Appalachian State University, the Walker College of Business welcomes new faculty members, announces new staff appointments, and adds a new minor and two new graduate concentrations to its degree offerings.
New Faculty
Accounting
Tyler Johnson
The Department of Accounting welcomes Dr. Tyler Johnson, an assistant professor. Johnson holds a B.S. Business Administration in Accounting from California State University San Marcos, an MPA in Taxation from the University of Texas at Austin, and a PhD in Accounting from the University of Arkansas. He can be reached by email, johnsontp2@appstate.edu.
Tyler Johnson
David Henderson
The department also welcomes Practioner-in-residence David Henderson, who brings to the classroom more than 28 years of tax and accounting experience in both public accounting and private industry. Henderson is a partner with FORVIS, currently serving as the managing partner in their Financial Services Tax Practice. Henderson holds a BSBA in accounting from App State. Henderson can be reached by email, hendersonjd1@appstate.edu.
David Henderson
Martha Ross
The department also welcomes accounting lecturer Martha Ross. Ross previously taught at the University of North Texas and at Texas Christian University. She holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Oklahoma State University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. Ross can be reached by email, rossmr1@appstate.edu.
Martha Ross
Computer Information Systems
Youngeui Kim
The Department of Computer Information Systems welcomes Dr. Youngeui Kim, an assistant professor who previously taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Kim’s research is focused on online review analysis using image and text mining combined with data analytics. Kim holds a PhD in Management Science from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She can be reached by email, kimy8@appstate.edu.
Youngeui Kim
Katherine Uva
The department also welcomes Katherine Uva, a product owner for Boone-based ECR Software Corporation, who will serve as an adjunct faculty member. Uva has recently taught undergraduate classes for App State’s Beaver College of Health Sciences and served as a data analyst for research projects at the university. Uva is an App State alumna, having earned an MBA and an MS in Applied Data Analytics from the Walker College, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management. Uva can be reached by email, uvakr@appstate.edu.
Katherine Uva
Economics
Shishir Shakya
The Department of Economics welcomes Dr. Shishir Shakya, an assistant professor and an applied economist specializing in healthcare provider labor, licensing and regulation markets. Shakya is passionate about finding solutions that improve healthcare access and quality at reduced costs. He is also a Research Fellow of the Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation at West Virginia University and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from West Virginia University. Shakya can be reached by email, shakyas@appstate.edu.
Shishir Shakya
Seth Emblem
Dr. Seth Emblem is a visiting assistant professor teaching economics courses on App State’s Hickory campus. Emblem was a research fellow at Southern Methodist University’s Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, where he earned his PhD. He can be reached by email, emblemse@appstate.edu.
Finance, Banking & Insurance
Joey Long
The Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance welcomes two adjunct faculty members. Joey Long brings 15 years of undergraduate teaching experience as well as skill in course development to the team. Long previously practiced law, focusing on small business advising and litigation. Long earned a bachelor’s degree from Wingate University, an MBA from Western Carolina University, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi. He can be reached by email, longjm5@appstate.edu.
Joey Long
Joe Hutelmyer
Joe Hutelmyer brings 40+ years of industry experience to the faculty, including roles as Chief Underwriting Officer for Amwins and CEO/COO of the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation. Hutelmyer also has 30 years of classroom experience, including through AAMGA University. Hutelmyer is a member of the NC Surplus Lines Stamping Office Advisory Board and a past member of App State’s Brantley Center Board of Advisors. Hutelmyer is a certified insurance wholesaler, a transportation risk consultant, and he holds a risk management leadership certificate from Georgia State University. He earned a BS Business Administration from Drexel University. Hutelmyer can be reached by email, hutelmyerjp@appstate.edu.
Joe Hutelmyer
Management
Jessica Doll
The Department of Management welcomes three new faculty members. Dr. Jessica Doll is an assistant professor who most recently taught at Coastal Carolina University. Her research interests primarily include interpersonal relationships at work, workplace diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee well-being. Doll is a two-time App State alumna, having earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management, as well as a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Clemson University. She can be reached by email, dolljl@appstate.edu.
Jess Doll
Dannielle Capps
Dr. Danielle Capps is an assistant professor whose background is in food and beverage and event management. Capps’ research interests lie in whiskey and distillery tourism, hospitality employee wellbeing, emerging wine markets, and other special interest tourism avenues. Capps brings significant industry and entrepreneurship experience to the classroom, and she most recently opened four upscale restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee. Capps earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree in leadership and human resources development from Louisiana State University, and a Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Texas Tech. She can be reached by email, cappsdn@appstate.edu.
Danni Capps
Jon Bleakley
Jon Bleakley will serve as a practitioner in residence for the Walker College, teaching courses in Leadership and Change Management and developing leadership programming. Bleakley brings to App State 30 years of experience leading teams in the military and non-profit communities and has also worked as a corporate and athletic leadership instructor and coach. Bleakley holds master’s degrees in international relations and defense analysis from Troy University and the US Naval Postgraduate School, respectively. Bleakley can be reached by email, bleakleyjg@appstate.edu.
Jon Bleakley
Marketing & Supply Chain Management
Brittany Beck
The Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management welcomes five new faculty members, including Dr. Brittany B. Beck, an assistant professor, who is a digital marketing researcher interested in how digital channels influence the consumer journey, consumer habits, and consumer well-being. Beck is passionate about providing an experiential learning experience that prepares students for their careers. She is actively involved in the American Marketing Association and currently serves as the DocSIG Chair. Beck earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing, an MBA, and a Doctor of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University. She can be reached via email, beckbb@appstate.edu.
Brittany Beck
Doug Marrelli
Doug Marrelli will serve as a lecturer in the department, bringing to the faculty a wealth of industry experience in supply chain management. Marrelli is passionate about international travel, having visited six continents and completed four trips around the world. Marrelli earned his MBA from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. He can be reached by email, marrellidm@appstate.edu.
Doug Marelli
Daman Palmer
Daman Palmer will also serve as a lecturer in the department. He is an App State alumnus, having earned a BSBA from the Walker College, as well as an MBA from the University of Abertay Dundee. Palmer can be reached by email, palmerdk@appstate.edu.
Daman Palmer
Barrett Garner
Barrett Garner is an adjunct faculty member who brings to App State 30 years of industry experience and a passion for the studies of sales management, leadership, coaching, and team development. Most recently, Garner was region manager for Fortune 100 Company Medtronic, where he was responsible for the mid-Atlantic region of $28M of Medtronic’s Surgical Devices' business. Garner is a two-time App State alumnus, having earned a BSBA in Marketing and an MBA in Interdisciplinary Business from the Walker College. Garner can be reached by email, garnerbr@appstate.edu.
Barrett Garner
Matt Martella
Matt Martella is also an adjunct faculty member who brings 30+ years of leading sales and business development teams and industry experience working in the advertising, digital media and high-tech sectors. Recent roles include division president at Zeta Global and a sales leadership role at Publicis. Martella also worked for several tech startups in the Silicon Valley and large Fortune 50 organizations Verizon and UPS. Martella earned his bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Saint Mary's College of California and an MBA from Golden Gate University. Martella can be reached by email, martellamd@appstate.edu.
Matt Martella
Milind Patwardhan
The department also welcomes adjunct faculty member Milind Patwardhan. Patwardhan holds bachelor's degrees in electronics engineering and business management from Savitribai Phule Pune University, a master's degree in computer systems from City University of Seattle, and an MBA from the University of Houston. He can be reached by email, patwardhanmv@appstate.edu.
Milind Patwardhan
Staff Appointments
Three faculty members will newly serve in leadership positions for the Walker College, and two staff members have recently joined the college’s administration.
Jason Xiong
Dr. Jason Xiong, an associate professor in the Department of Computer Information Systems, is associate dean for advanced studies in business, a role he began July 1. Xiong, who joined App State's faculty in 2016, previously served as director of App State’s Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics program. Xiong earned a BSBA degree in Electronic Commerce from University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, an MS in Economics from Zhejiang University, and both an MS in Management Information Systems and a Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems from University of Nebraska Omaha. Xiong can be reached by email, xiongjj@appstate.edu.
Read More: Xiong to serve as associate dean for advanced studies in business
Lori Medders
Dr. Lori Medders is chair for the Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance, a role she began July 1. Medders joined App State’s faculty in 2017 as the Joseph F. Freeman Distinguished Professor of Insurance and has directed the college’s honors program and founded the Women in Financial Services and AppRISE – Risk Initiative for Student Engagement initiatives. She most recently developed a risk management designation for water and wastewater professionals. Medders holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business from the University of Alabama and a Ph.D. in Business Administration – Risk and Insurance from Georgia State University. Medders can be reached by email, meddersla@appstate.edu.
Read more: Medders to serve as chair of the Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance.
Kristl Davison
Dr. Kristl Davison, an associate professor of management, is assistant chair of the Department of Management. Davison serves alongside Dr. Mark Lewis, who chairs the department, to represent the department, help achieve committee goals, and assist with departmental advising. Davison is a member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Tulane University. Davison can be reached by email, davisonhk@appstate.edu.
Read more: Davison to serve as assistant department chair of management
Jennifer Hayward
Jennifer Hayward is executive assistant to the dean in the Walker College. Hayward has 20 years of experience in development and alumni relations through past roles at Appalachian State and Emory Universities, and she most recently served as development specialist in the Walker College. Hayward holds a BA from the University of Florida. Hayward can be reached by email, haywardjc@appstate.edu, or by phone, (828) 262-2058.
Read more: Jennifer Hayward to serve as executive assistant to the dean in the Walker College
Dionne Speer
Kristina "Dionne" Speer is the business officer in the Walker College. Speer has 18 years of experience in governmental accounting, primarily from the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, where she last served as manager of fiscal and business administration. Speer holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Leo University. Speer can be reached by email, speerk@appstate.edu.
Read more: Dionne Speer to serve as business officer in the Walker College
Curriculum Updates
The Walker College has added a new minor in behavioral economics as well as new graduate-level concentrations in cybersecurity.
Behavioral Economics Minor
Housed in the Department of Economics, a minor in behavioral economics is newly available to both business and non-business majors. Students may earn a behavioral economics minor by the completion of 15 hours of coursework, including three required courses: Principles of Microeconomics; Experimental and Behavioral Economics; and Game Theory, and two elective courses. Learn more about the minor in behavioral economics in the App State undergraduate bulletin.
Cybersecurity Concentrations
At the graduate level, the Walker College has added concentrations in Cybersecurity to its Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics and Master of Business Administration.
About the Walker College
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact our community, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling more than 3,600 undergraduates in 10 majors, as well as 180+ graduate students in three master's programs, the Walker College's full time undergraduate enrollment is the highest in the UNC System. Appalachian is consistently named one of "The Best Business Schools" by The Princeton Review and is accredited by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the premier global accrediting body for schools of business.
The Walker College welcomes new faculty, staff and curricular offerings to begin Fall 2023 semester
New Faculty Members