Professor's Profile: Dr. Lisa Spiller
by Chris Gleason

Dr. Spiller, an ardent supporter of direct marketing, has been an active participant in the annual student MAXI awards, with student teams from her direct marketing classes at Christopher Newport University winning top awards for many years running.

My advice to a student considering a DM career:
GO FOR IT! Don't be afraid to "think out of the box" and work hard. There are so many different areas in DM from which to choose. Finally, always remember that "the heart of direct marketing is the customer database" -- it should drive everything in DM.

Hometown:
Erie, Pennsylvania (Home of 11 miles of sandy beach in the summer and lake-effect snow in the winter!).

Family:
Married (husband, James; three children: Suzanne, Chad, and Jack).

Higher Education:
B.S.B.A. & M.B.A., Gannon University (Erie, PA); Ph.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Most influential/favorite teacher:
Dr. Ronald J. Volpe (now president of Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.) Why? Dr. Volpe was the professor for my undergraduate marketing research course. He was Dean of the School of Business at Gannon University, and in that position, he offered me the opportunity to serve as his graduate assistant while completing my master's degree course work.
Dr. Volpe gave me my "start" in teaching when he hired me to teach my first undergraduate principles of marketing course during the final semester of my master's degree. He has served as my professor, dean, and mentor for many years. I consider Ron Volpe one of my mentors and a friend to this very day.

Memorable moment in teaching:
Here's one I'll never forget: My mother was battling cancer back in Pennsylvania and given less than six months to live. Throughout that given semester, I was taking long weekend trips from Newport News to Erie to spend time with her. My students learned about this and later that semester about her death. Upon returning from Erie to resume my life in Newport News, little did I know how others would help me go forward during that difficult time in my life. Upon entering the classroom to teach my first class of the day, my students were ready to embrace me and my sorrowful heart -- with flowers and cards and gifts and hugs. I'll never forget the warm tears that streamed down my cheeks and the faces and embraces of the students in that class. I am still in contact with many of them -- and that memorable moment was 10 years ago.


Musical tastes:
The "oldies, but goodies" -- the classics, soft rock, and piano instrumental music.

Authors/books:
Vince Flynn (I'm a "Mitch Rapp" fan -- our imaginative American hero!); David Baldacci (great plots with lots of suspense); Nicholas Sparks, Nora Roberts, and Elizabeth Adler (romantic, heart-warming novels).

Restaurants:
The Bonefish Grille (chain). The Smithfield Station (independent).

Websites:
CNU (I visit it so often!). MapQuest (What did we ever do without it?)

Relaxation:
Running, biking, golfing, boating, and spending time with my family and friends.

Chris Gleason, new to the DMAW Educational Foundation board of directors, is president of Servant Marketing Group in Leesburg, VA. Reach Chris at 703-581-5579, 703-771-0266, or directmailer@gmail.com. Future site: www.servantmg.com