Western Illinois University: Macomb Campus

Tom Erekson, Dean

The College of Business and Technology welcomed Tom Erekson as Dean in June 2006. Prior to his appointment at WIU, he served as director of the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology at Brigham Young University where he was professor of the School of Technology since 1998. In addition, he previously served as dean of the College of Technology at Bowling Green State University for seven years. Erekson has also served as professor and chair at the University of Maryland, College Park; as associate professor and program chair at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; as an associate professor and department head at University of Wyoming; and as an assistant professor at Northern Illinois University.

Erekson received his Ed.D. and his master’s degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University.

When he’s not sharing his talents with the WIU CBT, you might find Tom enjoying some time with his favorite diversion - motorcycle racing.

John Drea, Associate Dean

John joined the Dean’s Office as Associate Dean in the Fall of 2010 after serving as the chair of the WIU Department of Marketing and Finance from 2004-10 and as a marketing professor from 1995-2004. Prior to joining Western he was an assistant professor of marketing at Montana State University - Billings. John has also served in such positions as assistant dean of instruction, director of business and industry programs and assistant to the president at John Wood Community College in Quincy.

With a doctoral degree in marketing from Southern Illinois University, a MBA from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor's from Illinois College, John has gone beyond the classroom to illustrate academic success. He was the recipient of the 2003 American Marketing Association (AMA) Instructional Innovation Award based on several teaching activities that are considered to be significant innovations in marketing education. He was the 1998 winner of the Distinguished Teaching Award and the 2001 Instructional Innovation Award--both from the Society for Marketing Advances. In 2011, he was a recipient of the Meritorious Teaching Award from the Marketing Management Association. He is the author of two books in the field of transportation brokerage and 30+ scholarly articles and presentations, and has worked with WIU students on research projects for financial institutions, health care, and two major league baseball teams, to name a few.

In his spare time, John enjoys running, major league baseball, and carpentry, and tries to do each of these without hurting himself.

Jim Patterson, Interim Assistant Dean - Quad Cities

Jim was appointed interim Assistant Dean in 2012 and has served as an associate professor at WIU-QC since 1995. With 20 years of supply chain experience with the Marine Corps, Avon, Coca-Cola, and Nestle, his last corporate position was director of manufacturing for Nestle. He served as associate director of the Industrial Development Institute at Michigan State University and is a retired USMCR officer.

He earned a Ph.D. from Michigan State University, M.B.A. from Western Michigan University, M.S. from the University of Southern California, and B.S. from Western Kentucky University and has also attained lifetime professional credentials from the Institute for Supply Management.

Jim twice received the CBT's Outstanding Teacher of the Year as well as Professor of the Year from Beta Gamma Sigma. Coca-Cola recognized him with their Production Management Development Program Award. He served as a WIU Faculty Senator and founding member of the WIU-QC Faculty Council. He was also founding member and corporate secretary for the Quad City Manufacturing Laboratory board of directors.

He co-authored recent editions of Purchasing & Supply Chain Management by South-Western Cengage Learning and has published a variety of SCM articles. A frequent conference speaker, he has appeared four times in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi, Beta Gamma Sigma, and Sigma Iota Epsilon business honor societies and a long-time reviewer for the Journal of Supply Chain Management.

You often find Jim and his wife, Diane, cruising the Quad Cities in their Mustang GT, nicknamed “Eleanor.”

Schuyler Isley, Director of Communications and External Relations

Schuyler joined the Dean’s office in April 2005. As Director of Communications and External Relations, she serves as the chief marketing officer for the college. Her primary role is the development, coordination, and strategic implementation of top-level College marketing initiatives. In addition to the traditional “other duties as assigned,” she coordinates communication with the CBT Advisory Board, works with college events, and serves as advisor for students pursuing a WIU MBA.

Prior to arriving in the CBT, Schuyler was the Director of Special Events and Promotions in Advancement and Public Services at WIU. In talking about the about the transition to academic administration she says, “I love all of the ways in which being at the College level brings me closer to the students and reinvents my enthusiasm for WIU.”

If you meet Schuyler, you’ll inevitably discover her uncanny search for quirky fun facts. Hers – she’s an accomplished seamstress with a weakness for homemade Halloween costumes for her daughters, Audrey and Ellen.

Becky Paulsen, Director of Development

Becky Paulsen joined the College of Business and Technology in December of 2006 to serve in the newly created position of Director of Development. Prior to coming to WIU she was the President of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Corporation. She has also owned her own wholesale and retail businesses, as well as managed a number of small businesses throughout her career. Her strong community relationships and business experience make her a unique asset to the college and the position.

When asked what she likes most about her position Becky replied “I’m enjoying all the new relationships I am developing here. From our outstanding faculty, staff and students to alums passionate about their WIU legacy, and businesses who are proud and impressed with their relationships with our college’s faculty and students…the College of Business and Technology is a full of great, committed people. It’s really all about relationships. Things are happening here and I enjoy telling others about it!”

When Becky isn’t reading and absorbing all she can about trends in development for institutions of higher education, you will most likely find her quietly quilting, shopping or spending time with her husband and/or any of their five adult children.

Lori Boyer, Office Manager

Lori is the secretary to the Dean and also handles the CBT budgets. Her track record is long and well established - she has worked for seven Deans in the 18 years that she has been at the CBT Dean’s Office. She assists them with nearly every College activity.

Lori holds a bachelor’s degree from WIU, and says, “The College of Business and Technology is the best place on campus to work! We really have something special here.”

When she’s not cheering on the CBT and WIU, you will most likely find her at one of her two children’s sporting events – be it football, volleyball, baseball or softball. Once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader!

Margie Carle, Office Support Specialist

If you call or stop by the Dean’s Office, you’ll likely be greeted by Margie’s positive outlook and outstanding smile! With more than 18 years in the Dean’s Office, you can be assured - she knows her stuff!

In addition to the “anything but ordinary” activities of her day, Margie consults with MBA students, schedules classroom space, and prepares College correspondence. She’s also holds an essential role in planning the annual CBT Scholarship Awards ceremony and serves as the primary liaison to physical plant for maintenance and repair of Stipes Hall.

Margie’s a great listener and is always available to help. When asked about what she likes most about her job she says, “I love interacting with the students, faculty, and staff. I want to help add to the students’ experience here at WIU and make it as pleasant as possible.”