About Me
This is my sixth year at Ripon College, and I have just completed my 25th year of work in the private sector. I must say, however, that the privilege of teaching at Ripon College surpasses nearly all of the experiences I have had in business. For a detailed resume, click here.
My background is a bit unusual. As an undergraduate student, I had a great interest in understanding and helping people. I thought I was interested in social work or counseling of some sort. So I pursued a liberal arts degree with emphasis in psychology, sociology, history and philosophy.
To make ends meet, I started my career in banking, spending nine years in commercial lending. While there, I obtained my MBA degree, and at least for me, this was the way to go. It's great to be able to apply the things you learn in class directly to a business situation. My favorite people to "help" in the bank were entrepreneurs - those brave enough to create their own enterprises and "fly without a net." But the hard part was saying "no" to their loan requests.
So I left banking in 1980 to try my hand at that first passion. I was Executive Director a four-county nonprofit organization with a $4 million budget. We were located in an area of the state that had a very high poverty rate. We operated job training programs, home weatherization programs, Head Start programs,food pantries, and clothing centers (to name just a few of the things that we did!) That position was one of the greatest management challenges of my life; as nonprofits in the early 80s were really challenged to do more with less. It was frustrating, though, since I think I had a bit of the entrepreneurial spirit myself, and wanted to be able to "do good" while controlling more of my own destiny. For more information on that, go to "My Nonprofit Adventures"
So I started Business Development Services, Inc. in 1986. My husband joined me in the business in 1988 and we've been working together ever since. BDS helped entrepreneurs to get the bank to say "yes" by doing market research, developing business plans, and assisting with financial projections. In 1993 my husband and I started Commercial Credit Consultants, Inc., a consulting practice that helped bankers and entrepreneurs to untangle the red tape associated with governmental financing programs.
We sold Commercial Credit Consultants to a nonprofit development corporation in 1998, which allowed me to increase my hours at the college. My husband, who is a popular speaker in some of my classes, is still employed there as a consultant. We sold BDS in 2001, after I became full time at the college. I continue to consult with the new owner on projects. I will probably continue to do this for the foreseeable future, because students seem to appreciate the real world experiences brought to the College.
As a family, we continue to operate Avery Farms, Inc. d/b/a Cedar Ridge Ranch. Entrepreneurship is a great way to convert one's passions into reality. My husband and I joke that entrepreneurs can't do anything that doesn't cash flow! I guess we're no exception. Cedar Ridge provides boarding, training, lessons, livery, and other horse-related services. For more information go to www.cedarridgeranch.net
For more detailed information on my various business ventures, click on "My Entrepreneurial Adventures."
As you can see, my family includes many animals. I really have enjoyed the relationship that my family business, Cedar Ridge Ranch, has had with Ripon College. Many students have enjoyed the horses, and have helped out around the farm in exchange for various types of horse experiences. Here is Carissa Rivara, Ripon College student, enjoying "George."
If you are a prospective student and love horses, CONTACT ME!
Here's a picture of my husband and eldest son with the "big boys," George and Duke.
This picture has nothing to do with anything, other than I love humor, and I challenge anyone to look at this without laughing. It's my Registered Wiener Collie, Petey.
