There are many professors within the Marketing Department at the College of Business who direct and teach the sales track courses.
These professors combine their business experience with their teaching and research to ensure that students are the best prepared college graduates for a career in sales.
Dan C. Weilbaker, McKesson Pharmaceutical Group Professor of Sales
Dr. Weilbaker received his Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina. He has over 10 years of business experience as a professional salesperson and as a sales and marketing manager within the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Weilbaker has over 22 years of combined academic experience at Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, and Northern Illinois University. He has experience in sales consulting in addition to publishing in major sales and marketing journals and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Professional Society for Sales and Marketing Training as well as a member of the Strategic Account Management Association. In 2005, Dr. Weilbaker assumed the role of Editor for The Journal of Selling & Major Account Management, a journal published by NIU's Professional Sales Program.
Rick E. Ridnour, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Professor of Sales
Dr. Ridnour received his Ph.D. at Iowa State University. He possesses a strong practitioner background in banking, real estate, and manufacturing. He has conducted numerous executive development programs in selling, presentation skills and customer service.
Dr. Ridnour was awarded the 1992 “Teacher of Excellence” award by the College of Business, which recognized his effective combination of theory and practice and business education. He also was one of three NIU faculty members selected to receive an Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching award in 2001. Ridnour was inducted into the NIU Northern Star Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2004, he was one of three NIU professors to receive Northern's coveted Presidential Professorships.
Kimberly M. Judson, Assistant Professor
Dr. Judson received a B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. She previously held the position of commercial loan officer for a Chicago bank. Before joining NIU's Department of Marketing, Kim acquired academic experience in the areas of sales and marketing at Bradley University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
John D. Hansen, Assistant Professor
Dr. Hansen received his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. Prior to returning to school, he held various sales, sales management, and marketing roles while at Black & Decker. In addition to his work at NIU, John has taught personal selling and sales management courses at Samford University and the University of Alabama.
Robert J. Riggle, Assistant Professor
Robert is in the process of receiving a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida (Tampa, FL) and has a B.A. in Public Administration and an M.B.A. from Henderson State University (Arkadelphia, AR). He has sales experience in publishing, retail, and beverage industries. His academic sales research interests revolve around intra-organizational sales management issues. Before joining NIU's Department of Marketing, Robert acquired academic experience in the areas of sales and marketing at Henderson State University and the University of South Florida.
Edward Brata, Instructor
Brian Vollmert, Instructor