Craig School of Business
Board Members
Our Advisory Board is comprised of family businesses and advisors from our community that help guide and carry out the mission of the Institute for Family Business. As community ambassadors for the IFB, Advisory Board Members are instrumental in preserving an environment of exchange that promotes the growth and success of other family businesses.
About the Director
Dr. Fernando Parra is an Assistant Professor of Accountancy and the Director of the Institute for Family Business at Fresno State. Dr. Parra and his four sisters were raised in a family business that produced restaurant desserts. From an early age, he understood that a strong work ethic, integrity, and loyalty to family were key to a purposeful life with harmonious relationships. The family values he learned as a child by assisting with the business bookkeeping and logistics motivated him to seek an education in business. Dr. Parra obtained a Ph.D. in International Business with a focus on Information Systems and a Graduate Certificate in Accounting from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Dr. Parra also holds a Masters of Information Technology and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems, also from UTEP. Dr. Parra has played a key role in supporting small to medium-sized businesses with enterprise software solutions in the medical, retail and legal industries. Dr. Parra is honored to have served on several boards, including President of the Information Systems Doctoral Students Association which promotes diversity in business schools and supports future professors of Hispanic, African American, and Native American heritage. He is also a champion of promoting Service-Learning opportunities at Fresno State where students connect with Community-Benefit-Organizations to engage in experiential learning.
Board Officers
| Officer | Role | Organization (Generation of Family Business) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Parra | Director | Institute for Family Business | |
| Erin Mastriano | Secretary | Delray Tire & Retreading Inc(2nd Generation) |
Board Members
| Member | Term | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Rob Cozzi, Jr. | 2015-2018 | Principal Financial Group |
| Brian Ekmanian | 2016-2019 | JP Morgan Chase |
| Julie Olson-Buchanan, Dean Ex-Officio |
Unlimited | Craig School of Business |
| Sam Geil | 2020-2023 | Geil Consulting |
| Shannon Hughes | 2019-2022 | Projekt 15 |
| Erin Mastriano Secretary |
2013-2017 | Delray Tire & Retreading Inc. (2nd Generation) |
| Liz McIlvaine | 2019-2022 | Total Concept Enterprises |
| Kalene Oken-Ramirez | 2016-2019 | Wonder Valley Ranch Resort (3rd Generation) |
| Fernando Parra, Director | Unlimited | Institute for Family Business |
| Kenyeih Williams, Development Ex-Officio |
Unlimited | Craig School of Business |
| Fred Ruiz | Legacy | Ruiz Foods |
| Rebecca Spicer | 2019-2022 | Evolve Partner Group |
If you are a member of the IFB and are interested in joining our vibrant Advisory
Board, please contact Dr. Parra at parra@csufresno.edu.
Thank you to our Gold and Silver Sponsors
Legacy Members
- Fred & Mitzie Ruiz
- Johanson Transportation Services
- James G. Parker Insurance Associates
- Steven Deis
- J. D. Heiskell & Company