Detra Montoya: A loved legacy

“I’m inspired by those who work hard to achieve their personal and career goals, especially when they may have fewer resources to achieve their goals. I’m inspired by people who follow their passions and dreams,” said Detra Montoya, an Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Department of Marketing and International Business at the University of Washington Michael G. Foster School of Business. She said she is inspired by people like this, but her passions and dreams have been an inspiration to others.

As a child, Montoya wished to one day be a teacher, a lawyer, or a doctor, but she has always found enjoyment in academic environments, and always loved to learn. Detra graduated from the University of Arizona in 1996 with a degree in finance and began working at Procter & Gamble (P&G). While working full-time, she earned her MBA from Arizona State University. With an MBA and over five years at P&G, Detra left her corporate job and returned to ASU to pursue her doctorate in marketing.

Montoya has not taken her education for granted; she has applied it and continued to put herself in academic environments, dedicating herself to the understanding of multicultural consumer behavior. She has published numerous articles and given many presentations on her research, devoting herself to letting others in on her findings. Her many accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. Since 2003, she has received four research grants and six honors and awards, including a scholarship from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, being a nominee for the 2005 Graduate & Professional Student Association Teaching Excellence Award, and just recently, selected as a 2012 National Hispana Leadership Institute’s Executive Leadership Program Fellow.

Montoya has taught Foster business courses since 2006, and has worked closely with the Business and Economic Development Center to help enhance programs such as the Business Assistance Program, Board Fellows, and the Business Certificate Programs. Having the opportunity to work with the BEDC team, Montoya says makes her “feel very fortunate.” She described a positive experience as a faculty member at the University of Washington because of the “top-notch scholars,” and she said she is “Very grateful for the opportunity to learn from many of my colleagues.”

Unfortunately, good things come to an end. This academic year is Montoya’s sixth and last year teaching at the University of Washington, as she will be leaving for Arizona where she has accepted a position in the marketing department of her alma mater - the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Although she described the move as bittersweet, Detra said that she is “looking forward to working with my former colleagues, and living closer to my family.”

Speeches at a year-end commemoration cruise for the BEDC’s Business Assistance Program last month gave Montoya credit for much of the program's success. As her departure was announced, sad sights filled the room. Kevin Clark of Argosy Cruises, the host of the event, said: “Detra, it’s going to be hard to see you leave, but you’ve left behind a very strong legacy.” His sentiment was felt by many.

Montoya’s work with the University of Washington and the countless hours she has spent with the students will not be forgotten. Her presence will be missed but her legacy will live on.



Celebrating a Job Well Done

Last month, students, Rotary mentors, advisors, and business owners who participated in this year's 2012 Business Assistance Program (BAP) spent an evening with Argosy Cruises commemorating another successful year.


The cruise was generously sponsored by Argosy Cruises and its CEO, Kevin Clark.

The Businesses

A participant of the program, Raymundo Olivas of the South Park Retail Merchants Association, wanted to have his student group create a plan for the organization that would come up with a strategy to bring customers to the businesses; he felt like they were on an island and there needed to be a bridge created to the potential customers. At the end of the quarter, the MKTG 445 students had created a 53-page report on what steps to take. “Somebody asked the value of what the group has done, and actually, I can give you a value...This is worth over $30,000 dollars,” said Olivas as he held up the report.

Another participant in the program, Tracey Delgado, owner of Toddler Tech Childcare Center, has already seen progress after implementing suggestions from the students - revenue has increased and enrollment has increased. “Hopefully we can stay part of it forever.” Her advice for businesses on the fence about joining? “Just do it. Like Nike says. You will benefit from it.”

The difference the program makes in the lives of the students, business owners, Rotary mentors, and advisors, is evident. Every person during the cruise who shared about their experience had only positive things to say.

The Students

“The plus for our company was really working with the University of Washington students,” said Paula Jones of Our Beginning Child Care Center. According to all the business owners, the students were a very dedicated group. Minh Duc of the Vietnamese nonprofit, Helping Link, said: “We had pretty bad winter weather this year, but they drove out in the snow, the rain, and everything. They were there.”

“This is our second year in the program, and we have, yet again, had a dynamite group of students who helped us kinda pave a way to our future,” said business owner Claire Newman of Seattle Solstice.

Michael McGloin of the newly formed Judkin’s Cafe, said it’s like have a “tiny army at my disposal.” The students’ work was powerful and effective.

A joke amongst the program participants during the evening was the idea of flunking the graduating seniors so they would be able to participate in the program again.

Ashley Mammano, a graduating senior at the Foster School and program participant, said her advice for future students: "make sure you have the time to do the program and be flexible; it is a very large commitment, but the experience is worth it."

Minh Le, a third year finance major at the Foster School said: “I thought I knew how to work in a team, [but it’s] completely different in a real world setting.”

The program equips students with the skills needed to succeed as future business leaders. In the ending speech of the evening, Kevin Clark made this closing remark to the students: “What you saw this last quarter was real life.” Evidenced by the numerous positive remarks of everyone involved, from the students to the businesses, the program served to give businesses a better grasp of the direction for their company, and it gave students more knowledge of the inner workings of a business.

If you are interested in learning more about the Business Assistance Program, or would like to be a part 2012-2013 program, please contact Wil Tutol at wtutol@uw.edu. 



Nominations Open for Minority Business of the Year 

The UW Minority Business of the Year Awards program recognizes outstanding achievement by people of color in building sustainable businesses in Washington State. In recognizing outstanding business achievement, the Awards program communicates the impact of minority businesses on the state's economy and supports the growth of the next generation of entrepreneurs of color.

The Awards program recognizes winners in five regions throughout Washington with an emphasis on companies that have reached significant sales volume. To be eligible to receive this award, the company must be minority-owned and have its primary headquarters located in the state of Washington. Nominate a business now.

The 2012 awards banquet will be held on Thursday, December 6th at the Sheraton Hotel, Seattle.