Mike Chao DirectorRuss Berrie Institute for Professional SalesWilliam Paterson University1600 Valley Road, VR 3049Wayne, NJ 07470Contact Marketing Professor Mike Chao, director of the University’s Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales (RBI), oversees all RBI programs and events, leads the design, development, and delivery of all RBI programming, and fosters relationships with corporate partners, professional sales organizations, K-12 schools, peer professional sales programs, and other higher education institutions.Professor Chao previously served as RBI’s academic director, providing leadership for the Institute’s academic and co-curricular programs. In this role, he collaborated with campus leadership to develop and maintain strategic corporate sponsorships that enhance experiential learning opportunities for students. Chao also provided academic leadership for the RBI’s signature events for students, including the RBI Sales Triathlon, a sales competition for William Paterson students, and the National Sales Challenge, which draws college students from across the country abroad.He has a reputation as an excellent teacher-mentor and a champion for our students, and his proven skills in designing, planning and implementing high-impact learning experiences are priceless.
Rajiv Kashyap Department ChairDepartment of Marketing, Management, & Professional SalesWilliam Paterson University1600 Valley Road, VR3066Wayne, NJ 07470Contact Professor Rajiv Kashyap is the Chair of the Department of Marketing, Management, and Professional Sales. He provides strategic leadership to the Russ Berrie Institute of Professional Sales through developing and implementing strategies to advance the organization’s mission. Professor Kashyap also assists the Cotsakos College of Business Dean with the development and implementation of a sustainable financing plan for the institute, all the while establishing and maintaining relations of trust with stakeholders, partners, the business community, and external agencies. Rajiv Kashyap is also a full professor of Marketing at William Paterson University. His research has been published in the Journal of Marketing, Academy of Management Learning and Education, Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management, Journal of Marketing Education, Academy of Marketing Science Review, among others. He also helps companies, non-profits, and local entrepreneurs evaluate project feasibility and develop digital marketing and analytics strategy. Professor Kashyap has led and continues to assist the College with its AACSB accreditation efforts.
Michael Gatlin Operations ManagerRuss Berrie Institute for Professional SalesWilliam Paterson University1600 Valley Road, VR G066Wayne, NJ 07470Email Michael Gatlin is the Operations Manager and provides technical leadership to the Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales and Cotsakos College of Business. He oversees the daily operations of RBI, as well as assists the Cotsakos College of Business dean in developing and maintaining strategic corporate sponsorships for RBI. Michael also facilitates a variety of student experiential learning and engagement opportunities, including coordinating interactions between students and corporate partners. He leads the marketing and customer relationship management activities of RBI and identifies, assesses, and informs the dean of internal and external issues that affect the institute.Michael has interests in virtual selling models and applications, digital marketing, marketing automation systems, and AI-powered CRM systems. As an adjunct professor of Professional Sales at William Paterson University, he taught Sales Information Systems and Technology.
Ron Jones Project SpecialistRuss Berrie Institute for Professional SalesWilliam Paterson University1600 Valley Road, VR 4038Wayne, NJ 07470Email Ron Jones is a Project Specialist and assists the Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales team in the organization, development, and execution of activities leading to the successful staging of the RBI Sales Career Fair, National Sales Boot Camp, and other planned programs for Spring and Fall 2022. He works to build relationships with new corporate partners, including small businesses in industries that are currently growing during COVID-19 or expected to grow post-COVID-19. He introduces them to WP/RBI/CCOB and gets partnership commitments from those who can participate in 2022.Ron has executive sales management and sales training experience. He teaches Basic Selling Skills as an adjunct professor of Professional Sales and virtual selling and negotiation skills programs as a business instructor of the School of Continuing and Professional Education at William Paterson University.
