Sales Advisory Board
Board members advise faculty on current issues in professional selling, assist in developing a plan for expanding employer partnerships, provide feedback on student preparation, and guide the design of employer outreach programs, as well as support student sales career education programming.
Board Chair
Tim Austin
Chief Revenue Officer
GoodJobTim Austin is a sales and marketing professional with more than 25 years of experience. Mr. Austin has been involved with the sales program since its inception and graduated from Kent State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in business management. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from Cleveland State University in 2000.
Board Members
Kimberly Embick
University Recruiter
GartnerMs. Embick serves as a recruiter for the world’s leading research and advisory firm and has held roles in client services as well as global learning and development. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and holds a Master of Science in Management degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is passionate about offering career coaching and helping students learn about professional sales.
Eric Jones
Senior University Relations Manager
Rock CentralMr. Jones is part of the University Relations team that focuses on university partnerships and recruiting the best talent from campus to Rocket Companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University.
Randall J. Keller
Lifetime Financial Growth
Mr. Keller has been a financial advisor for more than a decade. He is a longtime entrepreneur, and in addition to his financial advising practice, he owns several other businesses and real estate investment properties. In 2008, he graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in business management.
Nina Lafko
Campas Recruiter
Park Place TechnologiesNina is the Campus Recruiter at Park Place Technologies, where she has been supporting early talent initiatives for the past 1.5 years. She is passionate about building connections with students and is dedicated to guiding emerging talent toward exciting opportunities.
Molly Phelps
Administration & Training
FastenalMs. Phelps sources and selects outstanding talent for her organization. She graduated from Kent State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in managerial marketing.
Josh Smith
Tom James Company
Mr. Smith graduated from Kent State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in business management. His career with custom clothing provider Tom James has spanned more than two decades.
Andrew Trotter
District Manager
FastenalAndrew Trotter is a District Manager for Fastenal Company covering the greater Northeast, Ohio market. Andrew has worked for Fastenal for 15 years after starting in a part time sales support role. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a major in Communication and a minor in both Business and Economics.
Matt Wagner
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
JarrettMatt Wagner has over 20 years of sales leadership, business development and marketing experience. He is responsible for leading the sales and marketing departments at Jarrett Logistics which includes setting the strategy and managing the execution of developing new business to grow the organization. Mr. Wagner has been recognized as a Pro to Know by Supply & Demand Chain Executive and a Food Logistics Champion by Food Logistics. He graduated from Ashland University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration as a Marketing major and Business Management minor.
KSU Faculty & Staff
Ellen Daniels
Sales Program Coordinator
Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship- Office: 330-672-1271
- Cell: 330-289-7809
- Email: edaniels@kent.edu
Haithem Zourrig, Ph.D.
Chair
Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship- Office: 330-672-1266
- Email: hzourrig@kent.edu
Kelly Blay
Associate Lecturer
Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship- Email: kblay@kent.edu
Tom Hoffman
Senior Director of Advancement
Kent State University College of Business Administration- Office: 330-672-8707
- Email: thoffm17@kent.edu
Eric Kennerk
Adjunct Professor
Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship- Email: ekennerk@kent.edu
Don Thacker
Senior Lecturer
Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship- Office: 330-244-3442
- Email: dthacker@kent.edu