Instructor Biographies

  Terry J. Gustafson

After earning a BS degree in business from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1967, I graduated with an MBA degree from Kent State University in 1969. I decided to become a CPA, and joined one of the “Big 8” public accounting firms, KPMG Peat Marwick. I spent the next 30 years in such places as Cleveland and Anchorage before moving to Phoenix in 1982. I left public accounting as an audit partner in 1990 to help found a telecommunications software company funded by venture capital. In 1998 I helped found another software company – one engaged in enterprise-level parts tracking, that we took public. In 2004 I joined several other Six Sigma experts to found my third company, Savvi International, to provide Lean and Six Sigma training both in classrooms and online. I am co-author of the recently published Wiley “Six Sigma Workbook for Dummies.” In late 2005 I help found another start-up venture - being an incurable entrepreneur, I recognized the absence of indoor turf recreation in the Phoenix area, and formed Greenfield Scenario to bring these fast-growing activities here. I finally had the opportunity to fulfill a life-long desire, and started teaching at SCC in August 2007. I have been teaching both classroom and online classes in accounting and general business since.

  Patrick Harter

Patrick is an entrepreneur whose focus has been growing small businesses with strategic marketing techniques. He has adopted many of the social media platforms and encourages his clients to explore these new media venues. He is also very operationally minded, which stems from becoming immersed into the operations of a dynamic family business at a very young age. With over 27 years small business experience and 16 years Fortune 100 experience, Patrick is well versed in many of the dynamics required of today’s business leader. Other elements that make Patrick unique are his involvement in other areas of small business, like mentoring and training. He is an adjunct instructor at Scottsdale Community College where he covers QuickBooks and some of the Microsoft Office applications. Patrick believes that the litmus test of true leaders is their ability to produce future leaders. You will find him developing talent every time he discovers an open, moldable, teachable spirit. For more information about Patrick, check out his LinkedIn profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickharter.

Virginia Herschaft

Virginia has a rich background in the business environment with over 12 years of experience in customer service orientation, finance, marketing, and computer technology systems. Virginia holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree and earned her Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.

Linda Holman

Linda Holman has taught Beginning Computer, Beginning Windows, and Internet courses in the non-credit program at the Business Institute of Scottsdale Community College since 2007. She also taught non-credit classes at the SCC campus in the Adult Education program and at the Scottsdale Senior Center at Granite Reef. Before moving to Arizona, Linda taught the adult, non-credit computer classes for Loyola and Mundelein Universities in Chicago, Il. Linda’s background in public school teaching along with her experience in training customers for a major computer company have provided her with the basic computer and communication skills necessary to provide a positive learning experience.

  Sara Mercill

  Tami Turkovich

Tami has been a non credit instructor with Scottsdale Community College since 2001 and is a skilled trainer experienced in the design, development and implementation of soft skill and computer software application training. She has successfully trained diverse audiences in profit, non-profit and academic settings. As a Microsoft Office user, she conducts training on the applications she uses regularly – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Tami is a dedicated trainer with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to helping her students succeed.