The CBA's National Council is composed of women and men who are exceptional leaders in their fields. They provide the Dean with expertise, advice, and useful critique about the college's programs, mission, and direction. The National Council meets twice yearly and CBA students often have an opportunity to meet these important decision makers.

ROBERT T. WARSTLER ’64
Chari of National Council
Retired President, Global Sales
Lucent Technologies

Robert T. Warstler, as president of Global Sales for Lucent Technologies, was responsible for worldwide revenue production. Highlights of his previous professional experiences include branch manager for IBM, vice president of sales for AT&T, executive vice president of marketing for Northern Telecom, vice president of marketing and planning for U.S. West, and president and chief executive officer for ATG. In addition to the B.A. degree he received from Valparaiso University in 1964, Warstler has participated in non-degree executive programs at Harvard, Wharton, University of Minnesota, and University of Michigan, Aspen. He is active in the United Way and other civic and church activities.

GARY A. BEU ’73
Chief Human Resources Officer
Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Gary A. Beu is the chief human resources officer at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He earned his B.S.B.A. with a major in accounting from Valparaiso University in 1973. Beu, who is active in civic and church activities, currently serves on the board of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Midwest Chapter, where he was president from 1996 to 2000. He has served on the executive committee for the Arthritis Foundation, Illinois Chapter since 1997. Beu also is active in the Society for Human Resource Management. His wife, Carol (Menning), is a 1972 graduate of Valpo.

JAMES R. ECKSTAEDT ’76
Executive Vice President and CFO
Steven Myers & Associates

James R. Eckstaedt is the executive vice president and chief financial officer for Steven Myers & Associates. He has extensive experience in managing foreign currency risk, treasury management, financing arrangements in foreign countries, and managing the legal, accounting and tax aspects of foreign locations. Eckstaedt is a frequent speaker on topics of foreign exchange management, how to complete successful mergers, and the effects of government legislation on high-tech industries.

JAMES L. FITZPATRICK ’68
COE and Publisher
San Diego Magazine Publishing Company Inc.

James L. Fitzpatrick is the owner of San Diego Magazine Publishing Company Inc. He also has served as publisher of Entrepreneur Magazine and as president of the City and Regional Magazine Association. Fitzpatrick earned his B.S.B.A. from Valparaiso University in 1968, and his M.B.A. from Golden Gate University. He is a member of the boards of directors of the Salvation Army, San Diego Opera, San Diego International Sports Council, and the National Board of the International Spirit of Life Foundation.He was the recipient of the 1992 Personal Achievement VU Alumni Award and the 2000 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

GARY M. GILBERT ’62
Attorney
Countess Gilbert Andrews, PC

Gary M. Gilbert is an attorney who earned his undergraduate degree in economics and finance along with his J.D. degree from Valparaiso University in 1962.  He has served in the Pennsylvania National Guard, and as assistant district attorney for York County.  Gilbert is past president of the York County Bar Association and a member of the House of Delegates of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Professionalism Committee (past vice-chairman), founding board member of the Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center, and legal counsel for the National Kidney Foundation - York Chapter.

JOHN M. HANAK '78
Statewide Director, Purdue Technology Centers
Purdue Research Foundation

John M. Hanak is a senior executive with over 24 years of experience in both large and middle-market corporate management and administration, human resources, and operating management. He is currently the statewide director, Purdue Technology Centers, Purdue Research Foundation. Former positions include executive director of the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana, Purdue’s first remote technology business incubator; partner, CN Associates, an Indiana investment partnership; and vice president, human resources and law at Ispat Inland Inc. Hanak earned his B.S. degree from Valpo in 1978, and his J.D. with distinction from John Marshall Law School in 1986. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and has served on numerous boards and councils, including the Indiana Human Resource Investment Council (gubernatorial appointment) and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Occupational Safety and Health Committee.

JEFFREY R. HARDER '74
Managing Shareholder, The Woodlands Office
Winstead, PC

Jeffrey R. Harder, an attorney with Winstead PC, assists startup companies and entrepreneurs in growing their businesses. He has more than 25 years of legal experience working in a wide variety of interest areas. He joined Winstead in 2004 to manage the firm’s biotechnology industry group. This group consists of more than 20 professionals whose practices involve representing institutions, emerging biotechnology and other life science companies, venture capital firms and pharmaceutical and medical device corporations. He was a Christ College scholar at Valpo, where he received his B.A. degree in 1974. He received his J.D. degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1978. Harder is active in church and civic activities, and serves on numerous boards and councils. He is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics.

WALTER F. HOEPPNER III ’77

Walter F. Hoeppner formerly served in the position of director, human resources – Center of Expertise at TAP Pharmaceutical Products.  He has also served as director of Human Resources for Global Processes at Federal Signal Corp.  Prior to joining Federal Signal, he held senior human resources management positions with BP Amoco Corp., ACCO Brands Corp. and Zebra Technologies Corp.  He received his B.S. degree in business administration from Valparaiso University in 1977, and his M.B.A. degree from DePaul University in 1979.  He has been involved in civic activities including the Boy Scouts of America.  He also is active in the Society for Human Resource Management, Human Resources Management Association of Chicago, and the Chicago Compensation Association – Senior Compensation Executive Forum.

DAVID A. PRICE ’84
President and Owner
RPS Imaging

David A. Price is the president and owner of RPS Imaging, the fourth largest radiology equipment sales and service distribution company in the United States.  He serves on the board of directors for National Healthcare Distributors and is a past board member of Vision Health Partners.  Price is active in civic organizations, including serving as the president of the Harris Baseball-Softball Organization from 2004-2006.  He has been the manager for various youth sports leagues since 1997.  Price received his B.S. degree in business administration with a management concentration from Valparaiso University in 1984.

JOHN T. RUDY ’81
Senior Vice President, Special Accounts Management Unit
Harris Trust and Savings Bank

John T. Rudy serves as regional president for the Harris Community Banking, Indiana Region. He is responsible for overseeing the successful integration of Mercantile Bank into Harris, as well as guiding business development strategy. Rudy joined Harris in 1981.  He holds a bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University and an M.B.A. from DePaul University. He is a member of a host of organizations, including the Lake Area United Way Board of Directors, the Times Board of Economists, the Legacy Foundation, the Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council and a member of the editorial board of the Times in Business.

KATHI P. SEIFERT ’71
Retired Executive Vice President
Kimberly-Clark Corp.

Kathi P. Seifert is the former executive vice president for the Kimberly-Clark Corp., overseeing the company’s $5.7 billion global personal care business. Seifert was named to Fortune magazine’s list of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” in 2002. She also was named to Forbes.com’s annual “America’s Top Businesswomen” list in 2001. She is a member of the boards of directors of Eli Lilly and Company, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, ThedaCare Health Care Group, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and Albertsons and Appleton Papers. Seifert earned her bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University in 1971.

JASON J. WINKLER ’96
Director of Finance, North America Channel Distribution
Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions

Jason Winkler is the director of finance for North America Channel Distribution, Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions. In this role, he serves as controller for channel management and distribution of $1.7 billion in annual channel partner sales of products ranging from two-way radios to mobile computing devices.  He has extensive experience with IT software enabling order-to-cash and procurement processes.  Prior to his current role, Winkler served as senior controller, emerging technology sales and senior audit manager, internal audit services at Motorola.  Winkler is a certified internal auditor, certified information system auditor, and earned Motorola Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.  He holds a B.S. degree in business administration with an additional major in political science from Valparaiso University.  He currently attends the University of Chicago Booth School of Business executive MBA program.

RONALD H. ZECH ’65
Retired Chairman and CEO
GATX Corp.

Ronald Zech served as chairman and chief executive officer for GATX Corp. from 1996 to 2005. Other positions held at GATX include president, chief operating officer and vice president, finance. Before joining GATX in 1977, he held positions of responsibility at the First National Bank of Chicago. Zech also served as a member of the faculty of Valparaiso University’s College of Business. He received his B.S. degree from Valpo in 1965, and his M.B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin. Zech is affiliated with many academic, professional and civic organizations, including the boards of trustees for the John G. Shedd Aquarium, The Chicago Urban League, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies Inc.

MEMBERS EMERITI

JAY W. CHRISTOPER '65, '99H
Chairman
Thatcher Technology Group, Inc.

TIMOTHY P. DUERR '77
NASCAR Marketing Manager
Ford Racing Technology

JAMES R. EFFNER, JR. '89
Managing Partner, Owner and CEO
Insurance/Financial Services

LEONARD J. KOCH ’64
Consultant
Koch Consulting

BRUCE R. LANING '81
Partner and Portfolio Manager
Marietta Investment Partners, LLC

PHILIP W. MENZEL 167
President and CEO
German Mutual Insurance Co.

RICHARD W. PEHLKE ’75
CFO, Executive Vice President and Director
Hudson Highland Group, Inc.