Meet Roy Peterson, one of the adjunct faculty members in Concordia’s Batterman School of Business for the Master of Business Administration program.
What is your business background/story?
I started my career in business, primarily sales, and became the National Sales Manager for a company in the early days of the internet. Because of my entrepreneurial spirit, I left with a colleague and started our own firm involved in publishing and the commodity markets. We worked with our clients trading futures and options in various commodity markets for both hedging and speculation. I successfully sold that business to pursue a career in ministry that led me to a large church with responsibility for management and leadership development. After ten years, I began my career at Concordia University Wisconsin in administration, serving 15 years in Advancement (fundraising) where I developed an extensive team of successful professionals. In my final two years of full-time service at Concordia, I served as the CFO with additional responsibilities for new business development and venture capital.
What do you like most about working in your profession?
While numbers and finance are interesting, ultimately it is all about people and the impact our financial decisions have on them. I enjoy developing a team of people dedicated to the mission of whatever organization I am associated with.
What is your area of expertise in business?
Leadership, team development, finance and strategy.
What has been one or two of your greatest career accomplishments?
Successfully leading the funding effort that resulted in the construction of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University. This facility gives our students access to the resources they need to prepare for a successful future.
What is your favorite course to teach at Concordia and why?
I really don’t have a single favorite class. My favorite courses are those with students who are engaged and hungry to learn and who want to grow as professionals with integrity. I teach at Concordia because of the great students.
What are the key qualities for an individual to be successful and purpose-driven in business?
Integrity has to be at the top of the list. A Bible passage says it well, “Whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) If you don’t have integrity, you don’t have anything and long-term success will never be yours.
Character, while closely related to integrity, goes beyond that to all of who you are. A person of strong character has the potential to become a great leader who others will seek to follow.
What blogs, publications, or other materials do you read to be in the know about current and emerging trends and practices in business?
In our polarized world, I work hard to seek information from a wide range of sources, often with opposing views. For example, I read the Wall Street Journal everyday as well as the New York Times. Additionally, I watch both Fox News and CNN. I believe that if we limit our input, we fall into an echo chamber and suffer confirmation bias. Finally, I read books extensively, consuming a book a week on average.
What have you learned from teaching college students?
There is hope for this country and our world. Concordia students are special and I love serving them through my teaching. Because they are of a different generation, I learn from them and their perspectives in every class I teach.
Who has influenced you the most as a business leader?
Patrick Lencioni is easily my favorite business author. His books are very practical and applicable. In addition, his various podcasts help me stay current on leadership trends and issues. The fact that he is a man of deep faith is also important to me.
What is one thing that always makes you smile?
My grandkids (11 of them).
Describe yourself in three words.
Faithful Jesus Follower
Want to get into the world of business?
Concordia University Wisconsin is proud to offer a fully online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with 14 concentrations that you can choose from to tailor your education to fit your needs. Click below to learn more.