Public Relations

NWACC announces hiring of Tom Wood
as AVP for Corporate Learning

            BENTONVILLE (Thursday, April 24, 2008) – A senior executive with an extensive background in sales, marketing, operations and professional development has been named Associate Vice President for Corporate Learning at NorthWest Arkansas Community College

            Tom Wood (pictured right) begins his duties as AVP on Thursday, May 1. A reception is planned 4 p.m. that day in the lobby of the Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies.

            "NWACC Corporate Learning is excited to have Tom join our team," Vice President for Workforce Development Dr. Derek Crews said. "He brings a wealth of experience in the private sector, higher education, marketing, and training."

            As Associate Vice President, Wood will be responsible for planning, developing and implementing a comprehensive contract training outreach program that focuses on the needs of the public and private business community.

            Wood will provide overall leadership to the open enrollment noncredit program, which serves multiple segments of the community.

            Wood said he was attracted to NWACC by the entrepreneurial spirit of its faculty and administration.

            “People here are committed to bringing world class business learning to the corporate community,” he said. “NWACC has tremendous assets and resources in terms of facilities and space, thanks in part to our many community sponsors which will allow us to carry out our mission.”

            Wood's professional experience includes sales management, product management, international sales, national account sales management, talent assessment and selection, and training and development.

            Until recently, he served as Director of Professional Development for GAF-Elk, a national roofing and building products firm.

            In addition to his role of training and guiding professional development, Wood served as a mentor to senior management. Previously, he was Vice President for Marketing and National Account Sales for Cameron Ashley Building Products, a $1.25 billion national, multi-branch distributor of building materials.

            "Tom's experience in national and international sales and marketing will be very valuable for NWACC Corporate Learning," Dr. Crews said. "That's particularly important since some of our programs increasingly serve learners throughout the U.S. We are also preparing to offer some of our courses in an online environment to a global audience."

            Wood's prior experience also includes restructuring sales organizations to better focus their efforts; developing and implementing marketing plans for both existing businesses and new ventures; and exposure and involvement in acquisitions.

            As vice president for sales at Overhead Door he established distribution into Canada and Mexico, and organized and supervised the company's efforts into the retail and home center arena.

            While at Long Mile Rubber Company, he served as interim chief operations officer during a difficult buy-out transition period. While with Owens Corning he excelled in both marketing and sales management, and was selected to lead its sales training initiative.

            Wood earned his BS/Ed. degree from Texas Christian University, and received his MBA from Baylor University. He is a trained facilitator, having taught professional sales training for Owens-Corning, and designed and implemented the customer training programs for Long Mile, Cameron Ashley and Elk.

            He currently teaches professional development and training at the Keller Graduate School, where he has also taught Business Essentials and Contemporary Management.

            He is a guest lecturer at Texas A&M School of Industrial Distribution, Purdue University, and Kennesaw State University. He serves as the lead judge and buyer in the National Collegiate Sales Competition, sponsored by Kennesaw State University. He serves on the KSU Board of Advisers for its Center for Professional Selling.

            He said he aspires to build a nationally known program at NWACC.

            “We want to develop a footprint for Corporate Learning that other colleges and universities will want to emulate,” he said. “Additionally, we want to serve our stakeholders by offering real world business and corporate education that will positively impact their associates and their businesses.”

            In addition to teaching and mentoring, Wood enjoys family activities, hunting and general physical fitness.

About NWACC Corporate Learning

            NWACC Corporate Learning develops talent that creates competitive advantage for individuals, organizations, and communities. It seeks to become an internationally recognized provider of strategic learning solutions to create and develop talent from entry-level workers to executive leadership. Contact Corporate Learning online at www.nwacc.edu/corporateLearning/index.php or call 479-936-5175.

For questions/comments on this content, please contact Dr. Derek Crews..