Marketing Scholar Kevin Chase: Sold on the Carson College of Business

By Sue McMurray

A former career in financial services sales gives Kevin Chase an edge when bringing industry topics into the classroom. As a new faulty member in the Department of Marketing and International Business (MIB), Chase also brings a wealth of research experience on how salesperson behavior affects customer decision making in B2B sales.

Leveraging his career and sales research experience will strengthen Carson College students’ understanding of sales trends, industry trajectory, and nuances between sellers and buyers during a time of shifting economy and online sales growth.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Kevin joining us this year,” says Jeff Joireman, chair of the MIB department. “His real-world experience in sales will be a huge benefit to our students, and he has already made significant contributions by collaborating with a number of other faculty to extend a sales certificate to Pullman. This will open up many outstanding opportunities for our students interested in pursuing a career in sales.”

Professional sales program coming to Pullman

Currently, Chase teaches Advanced Personal Selling and B2B Marketing. He is working with another MIB faculty member, Bitty Balducci, to develop a professional sales program and sales certificate. The new Pullman Professional Sales Certificate, in addition to the existing Professional Sales Certificate program at WSU Vancouver, expands the college’s offerings to students preparing for professional selling careers. Through collaboration with local businesses and experience-based learning, the program helps students from a variety of disciplines develop the skills needed for any type of persuasive communication.

He and Balducci plan to kick off the new sales program in fall 2021. Chase will also coach students who will be competing in national sales competitions.

Cougar roots seal the deal for new role at WSU

Chase grew up in Washington in a “Cougar” household before launching his career and accepting teaching positions at the University of Kentucky and Clemson University. When he got the opportunity to come to WSU to help develop the new sales program, he couldn’t pass it up, he says.

“I absolutely love working with students, faculty, and our organizational partners to create a fantastic program,” he says. “I am so excited to bring my prior experience and passion for sales research and education to my home state!”

He says the most rewarding thing about his field is working with the students and partner organizations. He envisions growing the number of classes offered in sales and engaging alumni in the sales program.

“There is no better feeling than helping students find a career they love and helping organizations improve,” he says.