The School Faculty Bios

JEFFREY A. BECK, PhD specializes in hospitality business marketing and researches and publishes in areas such as marketing to lodging, foodservice, and club consumers in the future; marketing the mid-priced, independently-owned resort; cross-border traveler satisfaction; insuring quality service; and dimensions of the experience construct. He serves as assistant editor of the Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality and Tourism. His pioneering class in meeting and event planning management allows students to plan and execute actual events on and off-campus, and draws acclaim each semester. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
203 Eppley Center
beckjef@msu.edu

MICHAEL R. BEHAN, J.D. is an adjunct faculty member in The School who teaches HB 447 - Hospitality Business Law. A practicing attorney, Mr. Behan is an MSU alumnus and a graduate of the Detroit College of Law and partner in the general practice law firm of Schram, Behan & Behan. He brings a wealth of courtroom experience to the classroom, as well as teaching credentials, serving as an adjunct professor at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and the Michigan State University College of Law. He also teaches General Business Law in the Eli Broad College of Business. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
behanm@msu.edu

CARL P. BORCHGREVINK, PhD, CFBE is an authority on leader-member exchange research in the hospitality industry. He researches areas such as service management; service employee persuasive influence; food and beverage operations and management; and menu language. He is highly involved in The School's international activities, arranging for an exchange program with the Norwegian School of Management and Marketing in Oslo, Norway, and functioning as the college faculty advisor for the University of Surrey exchange program. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
233 Eppley Center
carlb@msu.edu

J. RICK BROWN is culinary coordinator for The School of Hospitality Business, assisting the Dr Lewis J. and Mrs. Ruth E. Minor Chef-Professor of Culinary Management Allan Sherwin in food production courses and with Les Gourmets, the annual black-tie dinner featuring guest chefs and over 200 student volunteers. A graduate of Lansing Community College's Hotel/Restaurant program and a former executive chef with the University Club of MSU and with Arbor Hills Country Club in Jackson, MI, Mr. Brown has 25 years of experience in menu planning, purchasing, recipe development, supervision, and coordination of staff. ASs food supervisor in Mason/Abbot Dining Hall, he trained staff, worked closely with them to ensure food safety, and helped create diverse food selections and menu items. He has also teamed with Chef-Professor Sherwin to train supervisors of the 1,585 cooking staff from MSU Housing and Food Services.
(517) 353-5170
brownj@msu.edu

RICHARD A. BRUNER, MLRHR, CCM is the general manager of The University Club of MSU. He has been a visiting lecturer in The School for more than two decades, teaching the club management course, as well as in the CMAA BMI III executive program. Under his tenure, The University Club was expanded to include a luxury fitness center. In 2001, Richard Bruner was recognized as the best specialty club manager in North America by the Club Managers Association of America.
(517) 353-5111
bruner@msu.edu

JAEMIN CHA, PhD, is an assistant professor of foodservice management in The School. Her research currently focuses on frontline employees´ service orientation, the service climate in foodservice operations, and emotional intelligence and organizational commitment among hospitality leaders. She frequently collaborates with other academicians on research projects and presents at international and regional conferences. Her co-authored articles have been published and/or accepted for publication in Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, International Journal of Hospitality Management, Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, Journal of Hospitality & Leisure Marketing, Florida International University Hospitality and Tourism Review, Club Management, and The BoardRoom. Dr. Cha is also an alumnus of The School, having earned the Michael L. Minor Master of Science in Foodservice Management from The School in 1998, and her PhD in Organizational Communication with a specialization in Hospitality Business in 2005. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
225 Eppley Center
jcha@bus.msu.edu

RONALD F. CICHY (BA '72, MBA '77), PhD, NCE, CHA, CFBE, CHE is the director of The School, his alma mater, and a frequent speaker at annual conferences for Fortune 500 companies and the hospitality industry. He is the author of nine books, and his research areas include strategic values and vision; leading change; service excellence; personal leadership; organizational leadership; and the emotionally intelligent leader. He is a recognized pioneer researcher on the topics of leadership qualities, keys, and secrets both in the U.S. and Japan, as well as the essentials and emotional intelligence of hospitality leaders. He serves on several association and industry boards, and as treasurer of the Educational Foundation of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. More. . .
(517) 355-5080
231 Eppley Center
cichy@msu.edu

AUTHELLA COLLINS HAWKS, M.Ed. is the director of the Student and Industry Resource Center (SIRC). In this role, she provides leadership for the placement of over 700 students in internships and graduate positions in The School. She also represents The School in developing and maintaining relationships with the industry, networking with hospitality business alumni, and participating in industry functions and special events. Ms. Hawks teaches HB 401 - Hospitality Business Professional Development II, and serves as CAREER EXPO advisor. More. . .
(517) 353-9747
203 Eppley Center
hawks@msu.edu

DAVID P. DOW, B.S. is an adjunct faculty member, teaching an elective course on Current Topics in Hospitality Business: The Food Service Distribution Channel. A retired executive vice president of Gordon Food Service and former director of sales, marketing and procurement for GFS, Mr. Dow brings over 30 years of experience to the classroom to give a unique perspective to a segment of the hospitality industry with career opportunities. He is active as a consultant and speaker in the foodservice distribution industry, and serves on a number of professional boards.
(616) 443-2303
ddow2020@comcast.net

JEFFERY D. ELSWORTH, PhD specializes in food service operations, food safety, media reporting issues, and hospitality wage determinants. He built his food service expertise by serving as a restaurant general manager and franchise trainer of managers for 20 years before entering academia. His research and publications include a book chapter on casual-service (mid-scale) restaurants, and journal articles on online travel planning, fresh food vending, restaurant management, and financial management for private clubs. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
243 Eppley Center
elsworth@bus.msu.edu

JOEL K. HEBERLEIN, B.S., CHA is the general manager of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on the campus of MSU. He also manages the MSU-owned Brook Lodge in Augusta, MI. He is a visiting lecturer in The School, teaching in the areas of hotel operations and marketing. In 1999, he was honored by the Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association as the Michigan Hotelier of the Year.
(517) 432-4000
heberle2@msu.edu

SHERRI G. HENRY, M.A. is coordinator of Academic Student Services. In this role she provides accurate and timely academic support for over 700 undergraduate and graduate students in The School. She provides assistance in the areas of academic advising, skills building, career development, and other services to prepare students for academic success. Ms. Henry coordinates each summer's Academic Orientation Program for The School, and she teaches HB 201 - Hospitality Business Professional Development I. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
226 Eppley Center
henrys@bus.msu.edu

MICHAEL L. KASAVANA, PhD, NCE, CHTP is The National Automatic Merchandising Association Professor in Hospitality Business. He is a leading expert on hospitality information technology, researching current and near future developments of electronic commerce, information technology, and transaction processing methodology relative to the hospitality industry. Dr. Kasavana has authored six books and a host of academic and industry journal articles, as well as online instructional materials and software products. He has coined the phrase "V-Commerce," and is considered the world's expert on this concept. Dr. Kasavana is the recipient of the MSU Distinguished Faculty Award, and was the first recipient of a Distinguished Achievements Award from FS/TEC. He is also a member of the HFTP Technology Hall of Fame. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
241 Eppley Center
kasavana@msu.edu

JOHN H. KING, B.A. is an adjunct professor, team teaching with Ron Cichy HB 415 - Managing Quality in Hopitality Business each Fall Semester since 1995. Mr. King is the president of HDS Services, a leading food service, hospitality management and consulting company with an "Institutional 400" ranking, a national customer base and volume approaching $225 million. HDS under the leadership of Mr. King committed itself to the concept of Total Quality Management, making his instruction in HB 415 timely and relevant for the students. He has, with Dr. Cichy, authored the textbook Managing Quality for the Hospitality Industry.
(248) 324-9500
JohnKing@hdsservices.com

BONNIE J. KNUTSON, PhD is an authority on consumer lifestyle and buying trends, strategic marketing, and marketing research. With her wit and entertaining style, Bonnie Knutson is a frequent speaker at industry meetings nationally and abroad. She has published numerous journal articles on a variety of topics, the most recent being electronic perception technology applications in food service and the five essentials of private club leadership. She is the editor of the Journal of Hospitality and Marketing, and was named national scholar by the National Advertising Foundation. She is also a winner of the Golden Key Teaching Excellence Award and the coveted Withrow award for excellence in teaching and research. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
235 Eppley Center
drbonnie@msu.edu

MORDECHAI (MAX) E. KREININ, PhD is a University Distinguished professor of Economics at MSU and an adjunct faculty member. He is past president of the International Trade and Finance Association and is a Fulbright Senior Specialist. He has been a consultant to the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce and many other institutions nationally and internationally. He has been a visiting professor at universities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. More. . .
(517) 355-6579
112 Marshall Hall
kreinin@msu.edu

CARL E. LIEDHOLM, PhD is a professor of economics and an adjunct faculty member in The School. He was an advisor for the U.S. Agency for International Development. His visiting professorships have been at several prominent American universities, at Oxford University and Sussex University in the United Kingdom, at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and at the University of Nigeria. Dr. Leidholm has published many books and monographs and more than 100 professional papers. More. . .
(517) 355-1812
204 Old Botany
liedhol1@msu.edu

LENA L. LOEFFLER, CHS is the assistant to the director of The School. She coordinates alumni activities and helps facilitate synergies among alumni, students, faculty, hospitality industry groups, and The School. She also coordinates the Annual Gathering of Leaders, Celebration of Leadership, and Patriarchs Breakfast, as well as the Alumni Association Executive and Appointed Boards of Directors meetings and several of The School's executive education programs. With special expertise in computer publishing, layout, and graphics, Ms. Loeffler is responsible for the printing of much of The School's publications. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
204 Eppley Center
loeffler@bus.msu.edu

PATTIE McNIEL (BA '96, MS '97) is an adjunct lecturer, teaching HB 265 - Food Management Safety and Nutrition. She is certified as a ServSafe Instructor by the National Restaurant Association. As an Academic Specialist for the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center at MSU, she coordinates the many details of the proMS graduate degree that is offered online. She is helping to launch the online Food Safety: Managing the HAACP Process for the National Automatic Merchandising Association. The founder of First Impressions Training, Ms. McNiel also conducts business dining etiquette seminars.
(517) 432-3100, ext. 137
mcnielpa@cvm.msu.edu

JACK D. NINEMEIER, PhD, CHA, CFBE is the author of 42 books, including Planning and Control for Food and Beverage Operations, an industry best-seller. His books are utilized both in the industry and in classrooms around the world, and titles include Hospitality Operations: Careers in the World's Greatest Industries; Restaurant Operations Management: Principles and Practices, the sixth edition of Job Descriptions for the Private Club Industry, the fourth edition of Management of Food and Beverage Operations, and Foundations of Lodging Management. Dr. Ninemeier has served as a member of CMAA's Master Club Manager (MCM) Academic Council, and serves as coordinator of the CMAA Business Management Institute III. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
239 Eppley Center
ninemeie@msu.edu

IDA E. RAGATZ (BA '02) is an adjunct faculty member who teaches HB 265 - Food Management Safety and Nutrition. She comes to The School with many years of industry experience and a certification from the National Restaurant Association as a ServSafe Instructor. After several years as the catering and sales manager with the University Club of MSU, Ms. Ragatz became the sales manager and events coordinator for the James B. Henry Center at MSU. She is a member of the Michigan Society of Association Executives and the Michigan Society of Government Meeting Professionals. More. . .
(517) 353-4350
3535 Forest Road, Lansing, MI 48910
ragatzida@bus.msu.edu

JAMES F. RAINEY, J.D. has been a member of the MSU faculty for over 40 years and served in the College of Business for nearly 24. As former associate dean for academic affairs his influence has touched thousands of Business students, including those in The School. Most recently, he directed the MBA program in the Eli Broad College of Business. For many years, he served as an adjunct professor in The School as well as teaching Hospitality Business Law. He is currently The School's Graduate Program's director, providing his special brand of leadership and insight to these important programs.
(517) 353-9211
rainey@msu.edu

H. MICHAEL RICE (BA '76) is an adjunct faculty member who teaches the elective covering On-Site Foodservice Management. He was the first to develop and teach such a course, whose content is drawn from Mr. Rice's long and distinguished career on the campus of MSU. Through over 30 years, he has risen through the University Housing Division, becoming the director of Auxiliary Services, responsible for the major facilities and food centers on campus, as well as for the food procurement and warehousing, contract management, and vending.
(517) 355-0273
riceh@msu.edu

THEDA L. RUDD, M.A. honed her insights in the hospitality industry through over 20 years as the franchisee of eight McDonald's restaurants, and through many leadership positions. Each semester she teaches HB 105 - Service Management Principles, stressing the practical application of sound business practices. Among her many awards, McDonald's Corporation recognized her in 1997 for long-term system-wide excellence and contributions and awarded her the Golden Arch Award, received by only a select few franchisees worldwide. Ms. Rudd is also an Honorary Alumna of the Year (1999). More. . .
(517) 353-9211
202 Eppley Center
rudd@bus.msu.edu

KATHRYN A. RUNYAN, M.A. is the graduate programs coordinator for The School of Hospitality Business. Her role is to help plan, develop, and implement policies for recruitment, retention, and advising of graduate students in the four graduate programs in The School. Her background in Communications and Counseling is beneficial as she provides assistance in the areas of academic advising, skill building, career development, and other supportive services to assist students in their pursuit of professional success.
517-353-9211
runyan@msu.edu

RAYMOND S. SCHMIDGALL, PhD, CPA is The School's Hilton Hotels Professor of Hospitality Financial Management and an accounting and financial management expert. He has authored the highly-acclaimed Hospitality Industry Managerial Accounting and Financial Management for the Hospitality Industry, both used around the world by industry and educators. An active researcher, Dr. Schmidgall has published journal articles on job satisfaction of club financial executives; ratio analysis for the club industry; financial information presented at private club board meetings; and other finance and accounting topics. He has also helped develop a Hospitality Business Real Estate and Development specialization for School undergraduates, and each year hosts the Hilton Lecture Series. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
240 Eppley Center
schmidga@msu.edu

MICHAEL P. SCIARINI (BA '81), PhD teaches the popular HB 100 - Introduction to the Hospitality Industry course, which combines an industry overview with career development tools. His research focuses on career development issues, career paths, and succession planning for hotel managers. Selected early in his career as an MSU Lilly Teaching Fellow, he has retained his commitment to undergraduate hospitality business education, and teaches Academics 101 for incoming MSU students and Supporting Success in September and Beyond for parents and families of those students. He is also a member of the Society of Human Resources Management. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
234 Eppley Center
sciarin1@msu.edu

CHEF ALLAN L. SHERWIN (BA '64), M.S., CEC, CCE, FMP, a graduate of MSU's School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and the Honors College, returned to campus as the Dr. Lewis J. and Mrs. Ruth E. Minor Chef-Professor of Culinary Management. An active member of the American Culinary Federation, Chef Sherwin is responsible for the kitchens of the Food Production and Management Education Facility. He has written the curricula for HB 345 - Quantity Food Production Systems and HB 485 - Hospitality Food Service Operations to reflect contemporary practice used in industry. He has owned award-winning restaurants, and combines years of industry experience with academic expertise and service. More. . .
(517) 353-5170
73 Kellogg Center
Sherwin@bus.msu.edu

A.J. SINGH, PhD has specialized in his teaching and research on lodging management systems, structural and operational issues associated with the lodging industry, and issues associated with the flow of capital to the lodging industry. He leads the overseas study program in India each summer, and has helped develop the Real Estate and Development specialization for undergraduates. He also serves as the Eli Broad College of Business Study Abroad Program Director. Dr. Singh's research on international lodging operations, real estate finance, and the structure of the U.S. lodging industry and its future sources of financing has been published in key academic and industry publications. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
242 Eppley Center
singharj@msu.edu

JOHN M. TARRAS, J.D., CPA, CHA has authored two books on the topics of hospitality finance and hotel investing. His areas of research include finance, legal issues, taxation, and management issues facing the hospitality industry. He has developed casino gaming management courses for The School and teaches in the areas of casino management, negotiations, accounting, finance, and strategic management. Professor Tarras was voted by the 2005 School senior class as "the Professor of Hospitality Business" for his dedication to students. More. . .
(517) 353-9211
238 Eppley Center
tarras@msu.edu