Rob Klengler Education

M.B.A., Western Washington University, June, 2003. GPA: 4.0.

“Rob Klengler is one of the most outstanding students we've had in the accelerated program. He has demonstrated his abilities and skills in multiple arenas; what's equally as impressive, he has shown the ability to work with many types of people successfully. He is a high performer who will do well in any situation he selects.”
Dr. Brian Burton, MBA Program Director

"When I think of MBA students I have known, Rob Klengler stands out in my mind as one of the most entrepreneurial, goal-oriented, focused, and competitively tenacious students I have ever seen."
Dr. Sandra Mottner, Asst. Professor of Marketing

Strategic Management I

Diversity in Organizations

"Rob Klengler thinks through managerial issues in a scholarly fashion; analytically, critically, and creatively. He is able to listen to and synthesize diverse perspectives and then generate effective strategies for action."
Dr. Joseph Garcia, Professor of Management

Seminar in International Business

“Rob Klengler was key to making the Brenthaven team work. He quickly identified the key issues for the project, which was to give the company better access to the German market for laptop cases. He kept his group focused on the goals that were set. The final product, both the written and the oral presentation, strongly reflected his careful marshalling of data and clear presentation of results.”
Dr. Tom Roehl, Assistant Professor of Management

"It was a pleasure to have Rob in my taxation class. He was inquisitive, quick to identify the fundamental issues of problems and provided innovative solutions. He is motivated and results-oriented, yet has an appreciation for the processes involved and the style of others. Rob is a team-player and contributed to excellent team presentations."
Dr. Ron Singleton, Professor of Accounting

Small Business Entrepreneurship

"While 'entrepreneurship' implies a singular endeavor pursued intensely by one who is driven to succeed, it is in fact a team focused activity where leadership is a paramount quality. Rob's leadership inspired his business plan project colleagues to perform at a level where they saw their own productivity equal to Rob's expectations. Leadership and entrepreneurship are the twin building blocks of a successful career."
John Sands, Lecturer of Management

Information Systems for Management Decision
Making

"Recent advances in information technology frequently leave managers overwhelmed by the possiblities. Business leaders who are capable of keeping a clear head and envisioning effective ways to use technology are in short supply. Rob is one of these individuals. Based on my interactions with Rob, I have seen that he is someone who is able to combine his business, technical, and creative talents so that he may exploit the potential benefits offered by technology."
Dr. Craig Tyran, Assistant Professor of Decision Sciences

Strategic Management II

Education Western Washington University Penn State University	M.B.A., Western Washington University, June, 2003. GPA: 4.0.
	“Rob Klengler is one of the most outstanding students we've had in the accelerated program. He has demonstrated his abilities and skills in multiple arenas; what's equally as impressive, he has shown the ability to work with many types of people successfully. He is a high performer who will do well in any situation he selects.” Dr. Brian Burton, MBA Program Director
	The accelerated MBA program represents a thoughtful balance of theory and practice. The physical setting is stunning. The faculty is dedicated, encourages strong student involvement, and creates integrated experiences with the community. Few times in my life have I learned so much in such a short period of time. My understanding of strategy is clearer, decisions are more precise, management skills are more integrated, creative process is enhanced, and research skills are refined. I’ve gained new insights into business and into human behavior.
	Selected Courses	Professor, Sample Assignments
Independent Marketing Research	"When I think of MBA students I have known, Rob Klengler stands out in my mind as one of the most entrepreneurial, goal-oriented, focused, and competitively tenacious students I have ever seen." Dr. Sandra Mottner, Asst. Professor of Marketing
	An opportunity at Aircraft Intelligence, Inc. provided the foundation for this independent marketing research. With Dr. Burton and Dr. Mottner, the following objectives were established: Develop a virtual team process to rapidly create results from team members in Washington, Florida, Germany and Italy. Complete marketing research on the aircraft interior industry. Develop a marketing plan with emphasis on marketing messages promoted during the quarter. Co-author a formal multimedia presentation that will be presented at the Aircraft Interior Expo in Hamburg, Germany on February 26th and 28th, 2003. Requirements include a published synopsis, essay, and creation of a multimedia CD ROM. Develop a company brochure. Develop and design a web site focusing on the company's marketing message. Create a plan to measure the effectiveness of this marketing campaign. Document the results and lessons learned.	Advisor: Dr. Sandra Mottner The following are PDF's:
Strategic Management I	“In a world of linear thinkers, Rob provides a fresh perspective with his ability to see all sides of an issue. Many organizations miss critical opportunities due to their lack of peripheral vision. A critical opportunity would be hard pressed to escape Rob’s holistic visioning capabilities.” Dr. Stephen Standifird, Asst. Professor of Management
	A framework for thinking about strategy formulation and implementation. Focus is on developing a comprehensive set of tools needed for integrative strategic thinking. Includes a critical analysis of each of the models introduced.	Prof: Dr. Stephen Standifird Strategy analysis was limited to one page in length:
	Reflection: This course had a profound effect on my thought processes. I've gained insights into business as well and personal strategies, and I often notice lack of consonance between stated goals and actions. It has truly opened new avenues for me.
Diversity in Organizations	"Rob Klengler thinks through managerial issues in a scholarly fashion; analytically, critically, and creatively. He is able to listen to and synthesize diverse perspectives and then generate effective strategies for action." Dr. Joseph Garcia, Professor of Management
	An examination of how diversity in organizations places increasingly complex demands and creates new opportunities for organizations in managing human capital. financial system. Relation of economic theory to monetary policy and economic activity.	Prof: Dr. Joseph Garcia Final exam question: Cases analyses were limited to three double-spaced pages: Reponse papers were limited to two double-spaced pages:
	Reflection: This course offered deeply engaging material, and through extensive class discussion, we navigated through the complexities and paradoxes of understanding diversity in individuals and organizations. I have new awareness of how one's own group identities affect attitudes and social interactions, and how to work systemically to celebrate diversity and to secure the benefits resulting from a inclusive organization.
Seminar in International Business	“Rob Klengler was key to making the Brenthaven team work. He quickly identified the key issues for the project, which was to give the company better access to the German market for laptop cases. He kept his group focused on the goals that were set. The final product, both the written and the oral presentation, strongly reflected his careful marshalling of data and clear presentation of results.” Dr. Tom Roehl, Assistant Professor of Management
	This class offered an opportunity to work directly with local firms involved in the importing and exporting business. Students worked in teams to provide information and recommendations to the firms against a specific consulting assignment. The teams provided interim reports, a final formal presentation to the class and business representatives, and a final report.	Prof: Dr. Tom Roehl
	Reflection: The MBA 539 International Business class provided a challenging "real world” experience. Our project was to research the German marketplace for sales potential of Brenthaven laptop computer cases, and to answer questions of how (distribution channels and timing), where, and at what price. The team had to deal with ambiguity, many unknowns, time constraints, and language barriers. This class provided a framework where students learned a great deal from each other and from each other’s methods.	Prof: Dr. Tom Roehl
Seminar in Taxation	"It was a pleasure to have Rob in my taxation class. He was inquisitive, quick to identify the fundamental issues of problems and provided innovative solutions. He is motivated and results-oriented, yet has an appreciation for the processes involved and the style of others. Rob is a team-player and contributed to excellent team presentations." Dr. Ron Singleton, Professor of Accounting
	A continuation of taxation topics, with emphasis on compensation and retirement planning, estate, gift and trust taxation, and international taxation. Advanced research, planning, and tax policy are also a fundamental part of the course.	Prof: Dr. Ron Singleton Business Entity Project: creating LLC, GP, LP, Canadian C Corp to serve owners and VC's (PDF):
	Reflection: Given a basic understanding of a subject area, it is possible to research a new topic and to write and present a competent analysis in a very short time. In addition to topical knowledge, this course raised my research skills to a much higher level.
Small Business Entrepreneurship	"While 'entrepreneurship' implies a singular endeavor pursued intensely by one who is driven to succeed, it is in fact a team focused activity where leadership is a paramount quality. Rob's leadership inspired his business plan project colleagues to perform at a level where they saw their own productivity equal to Rob's expectations. Leadership and entrepreneurship are the twin building blocks of a successful career." John Sands, Lecturer of Management
	Planning, marketing, financial, legal, control and human elements associated with the start up, acquisition and operation of a small business from the entrepreneurial point of view.	Prof: Mr. John Sands Business Plan, first 25 pages (PDF, 2MB):
	Reflection: Because I've started several businesses, it was instructive to compare my experience with entrepreneurial theory. My planning and execution will take an evolutionary leap in the next endeavor. The project to develop and present a complete business plan (for a new business that may be realize) provided strong reinforcement to the theory learned.
Information Systems for Management Decision Making	"Recent advances in information technology frequently leave managers overwhelmed by the possiblities. Business leaders who are capable of keeping a clear head and envisioning effective ways to use technology are in short supply. Rob is one of these individuals. Based on my interactions with Rob, I have seen that he is someone who is able to combine his business, technical, and creative talents so that he may exploit the potential benefits offered by technology." Dr. Craig Tyran, Assistant Professor of Decision Sciences
	How information systems technologies can be used to support the decision-making activities of managers. Several types of management support systems are explored, including Decision Support Systems (DSS), Group Support Systems (GSS), and Executive Information Systems (EIS). Includes the use of application development software to build DSS prototypes following appropriate design techniques.	Prof: Dr. Craig Tyran
	Reflection: My computers are incredible tools for productivity and creative expression. This course moved my power user level much higher, and has enhanced the quality of all my projects. It also provided a great update on my undergraduate computer science degree.
Strategic Management II	Rob is a consummate professional who will be a profound “asset” to any company. If there were an MVP for this game and the MBA program, Rob would absolutely deserve it. Rob’s intellectual prowess is amazing (I often call Rob the “guru” when describing him to others). His ability to understand and master a business curriculum and project is uncanny. Rob has insightful analytical capabilities. Rob is extraordinarily passionate and dedicated to everything he undertakes. Rob shows incredible compassion toward colleagues. Rob is more than a colleague to me; he is also a role model - an unofficial professor. He is the standard that a young business professional should strive to achieve. Rob has taught me how to produce high-quality deliverables, and he has modeled the conduct and the attitude of an ethical professional. I am blessed to have Rob as a colleague, and I was privileged to be his teammate. Bottom Line: Rob is a going make a positive difference in any organization and the business community. Sean Schaeffer, MBA Graduate
	Completion of an applied project in conjunction with a professional-level field experience. Experience in planning and executing a business strategy in a group setting through a high-level business computer simulation. Includes the development of a complete written business plan that encompasses all aspects of the MBA curriculum and serves as a comprehensive examination for the MBA program.	Prof: Dr. Terrell Williams