Pepperdine University Business School Appoints Three Key Associate Deans

LOS ANGELES, April 9, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Linda A. Livingstone, PhD, Dean of Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and Management, announced new associate dean appointments, naming Mark Mallinger, PhD, as Associate Dean of Full-time MBA Programs; Demos Vardiabasis, PhD, as Associate Dean of Executive Programs; and Ron D. Ford, EDM, as Associate Dean of Executive Education. John Mooney, PhD, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, will continue to oversee MBA programs and the bachelor's completion program for fully employed professionals, and will ensure effective coordination between the program areas.

"With the creation of these new associate dean positions, Pepperdine's MBA program areas will benefit from highly focused and accomplished leadership, which will enhance the quality of service and grow recruitment, industry engagement, and alumni relations for each unique student demographic, from the degree candidate with a few years of work experience to the most seasoned executive," said Dean Livingstone.

Dr. Mark Mallinger, Professor of Applied Behavioral Science, assumes the role of Associate Dean of Full-Time Programs after nearly five years of exemplar service as Director of Full-Time Programs. Dr. Mallinger began his Pepperdine career in 1980 as part of the faculty of Seaver College and joined the Graziadio School in 1993. An experienced educator in the fields of organizational behavior, management theory, and human relations, he specializes in management development and organizational change. Dr. Mallinger was awarded the Harriet and Charles Luckman Distinguished Teaching Fellow Award. He also served as an Irvine Foundation Fellow in the area of multicultural training and a Sears-Roebuck Fellow integrating non-western perspectives into academic disciplines.

Mallinger earned his doctorate from the University of Southern California and both a master's and bachelor's degree from California State University at Northridge.

Dr. Demos Vardiabasis, Professor of Economics, assumes the role of Associate Dean of Executive Programs, which consist of the Presidential and Key Executive (PKE) MBA degree program and Executive MBA (EMBA) degree program, for the interim period beginning immediately through May 31, 2009. Working with the program committees and faculty, his tenure will focus on recruitment and alumni relations, as well as the supervision and development of the Executive MBA Programs staff and administrative processes.

Vardiabasis has more than 25 years of experience as a professor, entrepreneur, executive, and consultant. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently appointed Dr. Vardiabasis to the California Commission for Economic Development. Through his company, Global Strategic Edge, Vardiabasis currently works with executives and entrepreneurs on business strategy and creative operational solutions. He has founded several companies and has served as a chairman and CEO of the IQ Now Corporation, which was acquired by a public company, and CEO of Health Windows, which provided services to such companies as American Express, Hilton, Yamaha, and Honeywell. As a consultant, Dr. Vardiabasis worked with a wide range of diverse companies and organizations, including: Baxter Healthcare, Northwest Airlines, Greek National Tourism Organization, the Republic of Korea, Latin Business Association, and the Arthritis Foundation. He served as a member of the U.S. Committee to assist Russian Reform and a member of the National Policy Forum, chaired by U. S. Senator Phil Gramm.

Vardiabasis earned his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Ron Ford, Practitioner Faculty of Finance, assumes the role of Associate Dean of Executive Education for the interim period of July 1, 2008 until May 31, 2009. Effective June 1, 2009, Dr. Ford will assume leadership responsibilities for both executive programs and executive education as Associate Dean of Executive Programs and Executive Education. He will lead corporate outreach in support of executive education and executive programs, collaborate on learning assurance for executive programs, and work with the Master of Science in Organizational Development (MSOD) program committee and faculty.

In addition to teaching in the Executive MBA and Fully-Employed MBA programs at Pepperdine University, Ford serves as chief executive officer of St. Clair Entertainment, America's leading independent provider of video and audio entertainment, based in Los Angeles. He recently served as chief financial officer for Wells Real Estate Funds, CEO and president of Media Arts Group, Inc., and president of OneCoast Network. Dr. Ford also serves on the International Education Committee of the Young Presidents' Organization where he has developed considerable expertise in providing executive education offerings to senior level executives.

Dr. Ford holds a Doctor of Executive Management degree from Case Western Reserve University and earned his MBA from Vanderbilt University, where he also serves on the board of trustees

About the Graziadio School of Business and Management, Pepperdine University

Founded on the core values of integrity, stewardship, courage, and compassion, Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and Management has been developing values-centered leaders for contemporary business practice since 1969. Our portfolio of fully accredited MBA and bachelor's completion business programs provide personalized attention in an intimate setting, emphasis on applied and relevant business practices, and the convenience of six campus locations throughout Southern California. With an alumni network of more than 30,000 business professionals, the Graziadio School delivers superior flexibility, quality of experience and depth of knowledge for professionals continuing their education as full-time students, fully-employed degree recipients and senior executives.