School of Business Faculty

Dr. Marylou DeWald earned a BA in Sociology and Biology from Winthrop University, MBA – Finance from Emporia State University, and Doctorate of Business Administration from the University of Newcastle - Australia. Additionally she brings to the table more than 30 years of experience in the realms of international expertise, small business ownership/operation, and entrepreneurial education. She has been recognized as the best reviewer of academic papers by USABE, selected the Regional SBA Minority Business advocate-of-the-year, the State of Kansas Women’s Small Business advocate-of-the-year, the FirstStep Fund Golden Doorknob entrepreneurial advocate-of-the-year, the National Entrepreneurial Education instructor-of-the-year, twice a nominee for Women Who Mean Business, and in 2009, 2011 & 2014 was selected the Class of ’66 Faculty Awardee at Ottawa University; awarded to the faculty person making the greatest impact on students during the year. In addition, DeWald has presented at locations such as the International Council for Small Business World Conference and has authored and co-authored textbooks on micro-enterprise and small business development.

Tom Edwards was raised in central Missouri, in Camdenton, the “Hub City of the Lake of the Ozarks”.  His family has lived in that area since before Missouri became a State in 1821. Tom insists that he is a genuine Hillbilly and proud of it. He attended Missouri State University for over three years before marrying and discovering that two cannot live as cheaply as one! He earned additional undergraduate hours at Drury University while working full-time. While building a successful business career, he found the Ottawa University adult degree completion program, and finished his BA degree, this time working full-time and raising a family.  Having found a hunger to learn more, he completed his Master of Arts in Human Resources, again as a non-traditional student.

Tom started his professional career as a full-time temporary “computer attendant” with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, later transferring to AT&T Long Lines and finally to AT&T itself.  Throughout his 30-year career, he was worried that somebody would find out he was a temporary employee, even after rising to the executive level. His love of education led him to leave AT&T and accept an entry level position with Ottawa University that allowed him to teach as an adjunct. His career in education advanced and he held a variety of positions such as the Director of Business Programs, assistant Professor of Business, and lead faculty for the undergraduate Human Resources Management program.

Tom “retired” from full-time work in July of 2015, but continues to teach 8-10 classes per year for Ottawa University, primarily in Human Resources, Leadership, Organizational Behavior and Business Ethics.

George has been with Ottawa University since February 2012, having started as an advisor and adjunct instructor. He transitioned to full-time faculty in July 2015. He has a B.A. in Social Sciences, an M.A. in History, and an MBA. George began pursuing a doctorate in business administration (D.B.A.) in the fall of 2019. Prior to Ottawa University, he worked as a consultant for a nonprofit organization, where he was charged with reviewing policies and procedures and assisting in their implementation.

George has a variety of teaching responsibilities as an assistant professor at Ottawa University, including history and finance, as well as several courses in the arts and sciences. He also teaches the pivotal “Writing & Critical Thinking” – the first class new students take at OU – and serves as the faculty advisor for OU’s esports team.

George resides in Leawood, Kan., with his wife, Nicole, and their two daughters Emmalyne and Marianna. In his spare time, he enjoys lake time with the family, sporting events, and the outdoors.

Professor Jaime Fuentes completed his undergraduate degree in Information Technology at Park University and his Master’s in Educational Technology at MidAmerica Nazarene University. He has more than 16 years of experience as a College professor teaching all kinds of Technology subjects. He has held professional positions within corporate and private sectors in Computer Programming and Information Technology Departments. His experience as a career advisor, mentor, and as a faculty member has enabled him to offer extensive training, knowledge, and communication skills in the classroom and professional experience in working collaboratively with successful companies such as Cerner, Garmin, HRS, Black and Veatch, Burns and McDonnell, among others.

Professor Fuentes’s affiliation to HEDC (Hispanic Economic Development Corporation) organization founded for the purpose of developing and implementing economic development initiatives that would positively contribute to the quality of life for Latinos in the Greater Kansas City Area, LMASA (Latino Math and Science Academy) program which targets High School students who have the highest dropout rates has made it possible to develop a program to encourage these students to stay in school, and pursuit College education, help him to achieves community economic, academic development and the creation of community initiatives. His association with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), KDOT (Kansas Department of Transportation), and local Colleges has helped him to provide a mechanism for the implementation of mutual beneficial activities that strengthen the Latino educational, scientific and technical programs conducted in the area, and assisting students of low income to pursuit College education.

Since 1999, Professor Fuentes has also been actively involved in Wyandotte Community Service and received recognition and awards. He has been involved in Technology organizations, assisted as consultant and advisor, and has applied and received grants for Educational Institutions.

Kimberly Rieken earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with a specialization in Public Relations from Nebraska Wesleyan University.  She went on to earn her MBA from Ottawa University.  In her current role, Kimberly is the Associate Director of International Programs and she is located at the Ottawa University-Kansas City campus in Overland Park, Kansas.  

Dr. Kayong Holston holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Nova Southeastern University.

Currently, she teaches both graduate and undergraduate business courses at Ottawa University and also develops course curriculum.

Dr. Holston worked in government for 17 years as a manager and director in the community services and career development fields. She used many different types of statistical analyses for the effective planning and implementation of the organization’s bottom line. She also developed employee and leadership training instruction designed to help employees increase their performance at the highest level.

She has published numerous articles in professional publications and one was selected as the best paper for the Institute of Behavioral and Applied Management.  She recently published a diversity management article in the International Academy of Business Discipline yearbook.  Her research interests are diversity management, cultural and workplace diversity, leadership, organizational development, and human resources management.

Dr. Holston has served as a member of the Armed Forces YMCA and San Diego Chapter of ASTD Board of Directors – Educational Committee, chair of the strategic planning task force, organizational effectiveness, a member of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, and internal coaching consultant for the Red Cross.  She is part of the Presidential Council of Paradise Community College, Maricopa Community College Chancellor’s Asian Pacific- Islander Community Advisory Committee and Maricopa Workforce Connection Board member. She also is serving the president in the Korean Women's International Network.

Dr. Holston is a national member of SHRM; Organizational Behavior & Theory Track Chair for the International Academy of Business Discipline; Area Representative for the American Society for Competitiveness; Member of Academy of Management; National register’s Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals; and a member of the Executive Women’s Golf Association. She frequently gives speeches to local professional organizations.

Peter Jacobsen is the Gwartney Professor of Economic Education and Research and Ottawa University. He obtained his BS in economics from Southeast Missouri State University. After finishing his BS he worked in banking for a year then began to pursue his PhD at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He received his PhD in December 2020. Peter is currently continuing his research while fulfilling his passion for teaching economics to the students of Ottawa University.

Dr. Russ McCullough was raised in Minnesota and completed his BA degree in Economics at St. Cloud University.  He moved to Ames, Iowa to attend graduate school at Iowa State University and finished his doctorate in Economics in 2003.  Russ is both an academic and a serial entrepreneur with a passion for innovating.  His business ventures included real estate development-sales-property management, a construction company, a restaurant, a boutique hotel and an equestrian center.  He is a veteran in the classroom with outstanding student reviews, uses his business experience to make economics real and understandable, and is excited to devote his energy, passion and leadership to Ottawa University.

Dr. Kristen Moore earned a Master of Education specializing in Adult Education from Colorado State University, a Master of Arts in Human Resources from Ottawa University and received her PhD in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University.  Over the years, Kristen has worked in administrative roles for a state school, several private universities as well as a for-profit institution. Dr. Moore is an Associate Professor of Business who teaches liberal arts and business courses at Ottawa University.  In her time off, Dr. Moore enjoys time with her family, walking on trails, traveling, and reading.

Dr. Jack Nemecek is a full-time university professor who has completed two careers, one in healthcare administration and one in public health. He holds a PhD in Public Health from Walden University, an MBA and BBA in Healthcare Administration from National University, and an AS in Allied Health from George Washington University.

Dr. Nemecek has taught nearly all course offerings that are healthcare administration and/or public health related, at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate level. He also has experience mentoring doctoral students as committee Chairperson, and committee member. He is an expert at course development, serving as a subject matter expert on numerous university committees.

Dr. Nemecek began his career in military medicine as an Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy. After 12 years as an enlisted man, he was Commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps as a healthcare administrator. He served on active duty for 22 years, serving in numerous capacities as a senior level healthcare administrator, to include:  Director of Human Resources, Director of Education/Training, Director of Operations, Director of Administration, and Director of U. S. Navy Healthcare Construction West Coast Operations.

Upon his retirement from the U. S. Navy, Dr. Nemecek began another career as a Public Health Advisor with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For another 20 years, he served in numerous capacities including grants management and as Deputy Branch Chief for the Education, Information and Partnership Branch of the National Immunization Program.

Dr. Nemecek was born and raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. He is married with three sons and four grandchildren, residing in Ft. Myers, Florida. In his leisure time he golfs, gardens and reads for pleasure. 

It seems pre-ordained that Lyn Wagner would become a CPA, both her father and her grandfather [her mother's father] had successful careers in the field and encouraged her in that direction.  Upon graduation from Mizzou, Lyn started her career with Arthur Andersen & Co. Realizing that public accounting was not her career interest for the long term, she returned to graduate school at KU to pursue an academic career.  She taught several years at KU before taking a break to manage family businesses and be a mom.  In 2002, Lyn returned to academia at Ottawa.  The liberal arts approach to teaching accounting has been a natural fit for Lyn, her students are challenged to get beyond the numbers and to actually think about why things matter -- they love it ... well, perhaps not, but they appreciate the efforts as she consistently receives outstanding evaluations.  The relationships made in the classroom carry over to enhance other student experiences, such as the international trips sponsored by the School of Business. Lyn's favorite?  Australia, where else would you get to pet a koala?  When asked what these trips have to do with accounting, her answer is a simple "everything."

In her current role, Joanna is the Director of Human Resources with responsibilities spanning all University locations.  She is located at the Ottawa Campus and oversees all aspects of HR programs and services on behalf of University employees. Walters completed her Master of Arts in Human Resources from Ottawa University Kansas City in 1997. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree from the Ottawa, Kansas, residential campus (1991), where she graduated with cum laude academic honors.

Walters has been employed by Ottawa University since 1992; initially in KC as the Business Coordinator, then in Ottawa as the Business and Payroll  Manager, and finally in her current role since 1999.  Ottawa University is very much a part of Walters’ heritage; her parents met at Ottawa, her siblings attended OU, and now her oldest son, Mitch, is currently an OU Senior.  She bleeds Black and Gold and is forever an OU Brave at heart!   Walters has two other children, Sydney (a Sophomore at KU) and Sam (a 5^th grader at Sunflower Elementary in Ottawa).  

Stephen has been with Ottawa University since January 2014 and became a full-time instructor in 2017.  He has a B.S. in Accounting, an MBA, and has obtained his Ph.D. in Business with an accounting specialization in February 2016.  He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Wisconsin and has been teaching accounting and other quantitative courses as an adjunct instructor at several universities since 2009.  Prior to teaching, Stephen worked for ten years in accounting positions within the scrap metal recycling, relocation, and healthcare industries.  He has experience in public and corporate accounting.

Stephen is committed to providing a high-quality learning experience for students.  He concentrates on learning as a lifelong process and the ability to employ that learning in real life.