Meet the Faculty

Peter von Bleichert
Title: Professor
Courses: Business and Management
Degrees: Ph.D., Walden University; M.Sc., Schiller International University, England; B.A, American College of Greece
Teaching Experience: Since 2001
Career Highlights: I have corporate experience (Franklin-Templeton Investments, Inc.) as a restricted stock/deferred compensation specialist, I started and operated a non-profit, currently manage my own small business, and am a creative and technical writer with several publications.
Hobbies: Fishing, reading, tabletop games
Quote: "Success is never found. Failure is never fatal. Courage is the only thing." – Winston Churchill

Lale Yurtseven
Title: Professor
Courses: Business and Management
Degrees: M.B.A., Monterey Institute of International Studies;  B.A., Monterey Institute of International Studies
Teaching Experience: Since 2006
Career Highlights: Have started and run two small businesses.
Hobbies: Hiking, Skiing, Swimming, Traveling
Quote: “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

Philip Tran
Title: Professor
Courses: Business
Degrees: M.B.A., Santa Clara University; B.S., UC Santa Barbara
Teaching Experience: Since 2018
Career Highlights: My professional career spans 19+ years with extensive experience leading finance as well as sales and information for technology initiatives for Silicon Valley Corporations. During that time, I also founded/co-founded companies in the automotive, waste management and technology industries.
Hobbies: Mountain biking, golf, racquet sports
Quote: "I see you. I hear you. And what you say matters to me. " – Oprah Winfrey

Sujata Verma
Title: Professor
Courses: Business
Degrees: B.A., Economics; M.A., Economics; M. Phil, Economics; M.S., International Economics;
Ph. D., International Economics
Teaching Experience: Since 1987
Career Highlights: Ph.D. in Economics, Professor of Business and Economics for 20+ years. Experienced in providing learning solutions and assessment. Professionally certified in Data Science, SQL and Power BI. A proven leader for evaluating programs, initiating changes and managing transformations to ensure organizational excellence. My award winning, published, research in Economics demonstrates my key strengths in the areas of data-driven research, written and verbal communication and critical thinking.
Hobbies: Hiking, Traveling
Quote: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." – Mahatma Gandhi
Other Info: I would also like to share my LinkedIn profile.

Guillermo D Cockrum
Title: Adjunct Faculty
Courses: Business
Degrees: M.B.A., Stanford University; B.A., Southwestern University
Teaching Experience: Since 2019
Career Highlights: I have been working in, starting, running, and advising large and small companies in the Valley for the last 25 years.
Hobbies: Old roadsters, travel to my home country, Mexico.
Quote: "The market has its place and must be kept in its place." – Unknown.

Edward Comerford, Jr.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
Courses: Business and Management
Degrees: M.B.A., Golden Gate Univeristy; B.S.E., Santa Clara University
Teaching Experience: Since 2010
Career Highlights: Small business owner/operator, Program Manager at Teledyne CME, Project Engineer at Raychem
Hobbies: Reading, Hiking, Skiing, Scuba Diving, Sailing
Quote: “We've got to protect our phoney-balony jobs.” – Mel Brooks

Cynthia Erickson
Title: Adjunct Faculty
Courses: Business and Management
Degrees: B.A., University of San Francisco; Certificate, HRM the Society for HR Management; Certificate, College of San Mateo
Teaching Experience: Since 2005
Career Highlights: San Mateo Small Business Development Center - Interim Director; Oracle/Siebel – Dir. Global Services HR; Intershop Software - VP Human Resources; Wells Fargo/FICAL - VP HR and VP Line Manager; Baxter International - Western Area Dir. Human Resources
Hobbies: Volunteer at CSM's Veterans Center, Mentor/Advisor CSM's Project Change
Quote: “The only place success comes before work, is in the dictionary” – Vince Lombardi

Christina Johnson
Title: Adjunct Faculty
Courses: Business Microcomputer Applications

Linda Ma
Title: Instructional Aide II
Courses: Business Microcomputer Applications
Degrees: A.S., College of San Mateo
Teaching Experience: Since 2006
Hobbies: Reading, Swimming, Walking, and Eating

Huston Pullen
Title: Adjunct Faculty
Degrees: D.B.A., International Management & Entrepreneurship, Florida International University; M.A., Music: Music Conducting, Axusa Pacific University; M.B.A., International Business & Strategic Management, University of Nevada, Reno; M.S., Crisis & Emergency Management, UNLV; B.S., Public Administration, UNLV.
Teaching Experience: Dr. Huston Pullen has extensive teaching experience in management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Career Highlights:Leadership roles in higher education, including curriculum development and academic program design. Extensive experience in entrepreneurship, program development, and strategic consulting across various industries. Recognized for driving initiatives in economic development, workforce sustainability, and innovative business solutions. Delivered impactful professional presentations, workshops, and international experiential programs.
Hobbies: Dr. Pullen enjoys conducting music, engaging in creative arts, and exploring global cultures. He is passionate about integrating these interests into his professional work to inspire creativity and innovation.
Quote: "Success is not about the destination but the journey of learning, growth, and contributing meaningfully to the world around us."

Oduro 'Tach' Takyi
Title: Adjunct Faculty
Courses: Business
Degrees: M.B.A., Long Island University; L.L.B. (Hons) University of Ghana
Teaching Experience: Since 2000
Career Highlights: Management consultant, learning consultant at Kaiser Permanente and regional credit manager at General Electric Credit Corporation
Hobbies: An avid soccer, basketball ball and football fan. An aficionado of John Grisham legal thrillers.
Quote: "A little learning is a dangerous thing." – Alexander Pope

Kirk Tramble
Title: Adjunct Faculty
Courses: Business, Computer Information Systems
Degrees: M.B.A., Dartmouth College; B.Sc, UC Berkeley
Teaching Experience: Since 2016
Career Highlights: I have over 20 years of corporate experience at Chevron, having worked at Apple, Microsoft, and Oracle.

J. Gardner Trimble
Title: Adjunct Faculty
Courses: Business
Degrees: J.D., University of San Francisco; B.A., UC Santa Cruz
Teaching Experience: Since 1996
Career Highlights: Working with donors and their advisers to complete charitable gifts totaling many millions of dollars over the course of nearly 20 years in gift planning at Stanford University, The Trust for Public Land and UCSF!
Quote: "A Verbal Contract Isn't Worth The Paper It's Written On." – Samuel Goldwyn

Groffrey VanderPal
Title: Adjunct Faculty
Courses: Business, Management and Finance
Degrees: Post-Doctorate of Accounting, South College; Post-Doctorate of Global Leadership, Colorado Technical University; D.B.A., Finance, Nova Southeastern University; M.S. of Human Resource Management & M.S. of Marketing, Digital Specialization, Western Governors University; M.B.A., Webster University; M.S. of Psychology, Capella University; M.S. of I/O Psychology, Walden University; Educational Specialist, South College; B.S., Business Administration (Finance, Marketing, and Management), Columbia College.
Teaching Experience: Since 2001
Career Highlights: Founder and director of consulting and financial planning firms. Co-author of The Steadfast Leader (McGraw-Hill). Experience in leadership roles, including honorary diplomatic appointments and organizational management. Additional experience includes leadership roles in HOA, journal editing, and public office.
Hobbies: Traveling, reading, and spending quality time with family
Quote: "Procrastination is the Assassination of Motivation."

Janice Thurau Weeks
Title: Adjunct Faculty
Courses: Spreadsheets
Degrees: B.A., University of San Franciso; Web Developer Certificate, Skyline College
Teaching Experience: Since 2008
Career Highlights: Music Director, Assistant Program Director and On-Air personality at several mid-market radio stations in the Monterey Bay Area, Coordinator in the Broadcast Business Department at Hal Riney & Partners, Public Relations at Community Gatepath, Entrepreneur & Business owner for Web Coast Graphics specializing in Web Design, Graphics and Software instruction
Hobbies: Hiking, Music, Concerts, Fitness, Learning new skills, Socializing with friends and family, Relaxing at the beach.
Quote: "Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." – Anthony J. D'Angelo