MBU School of Business Appoints Interim Dean
Seeking continuity and expertise that reflects Maranatha’s philosophy and standard of excellence, the Board of Trustees has approved appointment of Steve Board as Interim Director of the School of Business. Dr. Tracy Foster has proficiently served as Dean of the School of Business in recent years, but is withdrawing from administrative responsibilities, though he will continue to teach part time.
Board, an architect, has demonstrated notable leadership and superb vision for over 35 years. A former plan examiner for the building department of a burgeoning community in Michigan, he successfully planned the relocation of a Fortune 100 company and guided turnarounds of two under-performing businesses. Under his leadership as director of business development, a national construction company experienced phenomenal growth from $350 million annually to $1.4 billion in 8 years; and during his tenure as an executive team member for a start-up minority-owned business, he saw growth of $80 million annually in 10 years.
When initially asked to serve at Maranatha, Board, already committed to start a business in Atlanta, declined, but agreed to serve on MBU’s Board of Trustees, an appointment he held until joining Maranatha’s faculty and staff in 2012 as an associate professor and director of development. “I believe that in addition to getting an education, college students also need to be mentored and discipled,” Board says. “I came to Maranatha because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of Christian business leaders.” Known for his gift of developing relationships, he ardently invests in students, frequently inviting groups to his home for a meal or games, assisting with their internships at the state capitol or with local businesses, or merely sitting with them at lunch and talking.
Pursuing Gospel outreach opportunities, Board has also developed relationships within the Watertown community, serving as an alderman on assignments such as the Main Street Reconstruction Task Force, joining the historical society board of directors, participating in the Rotary club and working in numerous commission posts. “I like being involved. I like to have some influence in the community,” he says, “and, candidly, I don’t think people listen to you unless you are involved.” Thus, he leads by example.
Vice President of Academia Affairs Dr. Tom Graham affirms, “Mr. Board is the right person to lead the School of Business during this transitional period. He possesses both a wealth of knowledge and experience from the business world and an understanding of how to transfer that knowledge to students in the classroom. His leadership this year will be invaluable.”
Read Mr. Board’s faculty bio here.