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Dividend The official online magazine of the Carson College of Business

A Message from Interim Dean Debbie Compeau – August 2024

As the fall semester gets underway, campus is coming to life with the energy and excitement of a new academic year. Incoming freshmen are embarking on a significant new chapter; meanwhile, our seniors are preparing to take the final steps in their academic journey, poised to launch their careers with a freshly minted business degree from Carson College.

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WSU Alumni Found AgRooted to Support Family Farms

Small family farms face significant challenges, including escalating production costs and fierce competition from large agribusinesses. Growing up on an 80-acre farm in southwest Washington, WSU alums and siblings Jessica and Sean Murray were acutely aware of the challenges facing small family operations like theirs and wanted to be part of the solution.

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Entrepreneurship Course Series Prepares Future Innovators

A series of three entrepreneurship classes offered at WSU Tri-Cities is pairing students with industry professionals to develop and launch new ventures in clean energy.

Paul Carlisle (’06 Busi. Admin., ’07 MBA), an adjunct professor with the Carson College who runs the program, says the classes are meant to be taken in succession. Students team up with a researcher who holds a freshly patented technology, often from nearby Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL), help create a business plan, and secure venture financing to create a viable business.

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A Matter of Trust: Maintaining Investor Confidence After a Product Failure

In the high-stakes world of venture-backed startups, nothing is more crucial than investor trust, especially when facing product development setbacks. New research from WSU's Carson College of Business offers fresh perspectives on how technology-based startup companies can secure funding even when their product development hits roadblocks.

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August 2024 – New Hires

Kirk Berentsen is an administrative assistant for the School of Hospitality and Business Management. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing with an emphasis in analytics. During his time at UI, he worked for University Housing as a resident assistant and for Vandals Dining as a marketing intern. After he earned his degree, he spent several years as an analyst in both the food and tech industry. In his spare time, he enjoys playing sports (currently pickleball), baking, or playing bass guitar.

Kacie Deerkop is a facilities coordinator for the Carson College of Business. She was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah where she attended the University of Utah to study geoscience. Previously, her work included retail construction management for the outdoor industry. In her spare time, she enjoys snowboarding, puzzles, and a good book.

Kim Harrod is an administrative assistant for the Carson College of Business as well as the School of Engineering. She graduated from WSU Tri-Cities in 2017 with a degree in hospitality. Assisting others and making others happy is a passion of hers. She has been in the hospitality industry for more than 10 years. In her free time, she loves to relax and watch football, basketball, or cooking shows with her son.

Paul Warner joins WSU as executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the Carson College of Business. Most recently, he served as digital marketing and localization manager at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, where he oversaw global advertising, digital marketing, localization, and analytics. Starting with his first marketing role at a Silicon Valley startup, he has continuously gained marketing, journalism, and sales experience across several industries. After launching his own business in 2009, he has consulted for clients in government, education, and private industry. He has a bachelor of arts in journalism and a master of science in communications.

Drew Zamora is a director of development within the Office of Development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from Northern Arizona University, and a master of education in higher and postsecondary education from Arizona State University. Bringing more than 10 years of experience in both higher education and educational technology, Zamora joins WSU following his tenure at the Arizona State University Foundation. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, playing golf, and cooking on his smoker.