Ed.D., Boston University, 1975, Organizational Studies Th.M., Boston University, 1969, Social Ethics A.B., University of Michigan, 1965 Political Science Phone: 206.281.2621 Email: summed@spu.edu Office: SBE Center House, 2nd floor Dr. Summers at The Meridian Consulting Group, Inc. http://www.themcg.com

Research interests:

Role of management, executive coaching, human resources, corporate social responsibility, and social enterprise

Teaching experience: Management of people, leadership, corporate social responsibility, social enterprise, managerial communication, performance management, and strategic human resources

Experience: Don has over 40 years of experience at the highest levels of management in both Human Resources and strategic planning. He has worked in financial services and medical products and services – and consulted in almost every industry and sector. Throughout his career he has helped senior management understand the critical link between business strategy and the use of corporate resources, especially people. He wrote the book "Personnel Management in Banking" (McGraw-Hill), and has published numerous articles on HR, leadership, coaching and organizational development. Most recently his publications have included: “Embracing Values Other Than the Bottom Line” in 2006 (Puget Sound Business Journal) and “Organizational Change and the Communication Roles of Middle Managers” (with Drs. Tracy Thompson and Jill Purdy), which was presented at the Academy of Management Sciences in August 2007.

He served as project manager for the Grace Commission in Washington, D.C. His team examined the U.S. Department of Education and recommended more than 60 changes with savings of $3 billion. In 1999 he was awarded a certificate of recognition by NASA. He served as a Visiting Faculty in Management at the University of Washington Tacoma, for 2006/2007.

Dr. Summers was presented the “Adjunct Teacher of the Year” award by Seattle Pacific University in 2006 and “Dean’s Award” in 2008. For over 20 years he has served SPU in a variety of roles, including member of  Executive Advisory Council (chair for two years), mentor to students, Fellow at the Center for Integrity in Business, and adjunct faculty member.

Current research:  He is currently researching and writing on social enterprise, such as his upcoming article, "A Process Model of Social Intrapreneurship within a For-Profit Company: First Community Bank," coauthored with Bruno Dyck.