DMAWEF
DMAW Educcational Foundation
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