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MSU-B business school hires USAF colonel
After a 31-year career in the U.S. Air Force that included service in the Pentagon, Col. Joseph B. Michels
is returning home to the West.
He’ll become dean of the Montana State University-Billings College of Business.
By MARY PICKETT
Of The Gazette Staff
Michels, a native of Washington state, is dean of the School of Systems and Logistics at the Air Force
Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base at Dayton, Ohio.
He will retire from the Air Force before officially taking his new job in Billings Sept. 1.
During a telephone interview Wednesday, Michels said that he was honored to join the College of
Business and looks forward to moving to Billings, which he called "the economic engine of Montana."
"It’s a wonderful opportunity to come back out west and be part of taking the College of Business up to the
next rung," he said. "I feel I have the right skills and drive and desire to contribute."
Janie Park, MSU-Billings provost and academic vice chancellor, said that Michels
was chosen for his leadership and academic background.
Michels, 49, grew up on his family’s farm near the one-stoplight town of Otis
Orchards, Wash., not far from Spokane.
His late mother and father stressed the importance of education, a lesson he
learned well. With the encouragement and support of the Air Force, he has earned
numerous academic degrees.
His first was a bachelor’s of
science in electrical engineering
technology from Weber State
University in Ogden, Utah, followed by
a master’s of science degree in
systems management from the
University of Southern California and a
Ph.D. in industrial engineering from
Texas A&M University.
He has post-doctoral degrees in
public administration from the
University of Oklahoma and in national security studies from the Naval War College.
During his years in the Air Force, he has held a variety of assignments. Ten of the last 15 years, he has
been in Washington D.C., including working in Air Force headquarters in the Pentagon.
During Desert Storm and Desert Shield, he was commander of the equipment maintenance squadron of
the 347th Fighter Wing at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. He also spent 11 months as director of logistics at
Thule Air Base in Greenland.
Among his many awards and decorations is the Legion of Merit.
Michels has been at Wright-Patterson since July 2001.
The School of Systems and Logistics is the prime continuing-education school that teaches Air Force
personnel and Department of Defense contractors all aspects of logistics.
Logistics is the branch of the military involved in procuring, maintaining and transporting supplies,
personnel and facilities.
Michels’ school has a faculty of 51, offers more than 40 courses and has had 10,000 students during this
fiscal year.
The institute has an extensive distance learning component, and Michels operates classes that reach to
Europe, the Pacific and Central America.
Distance learning has become increasingly more important at MSU-Billings and the College of Business.
Michels said that he had no qualms about joining a civilian educational institution after so any years in the
Air Force.
"Leadership is leadership," he said, adding that military experience transfers well into the civilian world.
Many retired military personnel have gone on to successful careers in education, government, industry and
business, he said.
At first glance, his resume may not look like it is business-oriented, he said.
However, industrial engineering, in which he has a Ph.D., is the business part of engineering. Also, his
experience overseeing large organizations within the military requires business skills.
Michels’ goals for the College of Business in the next few years include having the school accredited,
increasing enrollment, reaching out to nontraditional students and developing more programs with tribal
colleges in the state.
Michels visited Billings in early May and will return this month to buy a house.
Throughout his Air Force career, Michels has been active in community organizations, including the
Chamber of Commerce, Lions, Masonic Lodge and the Methodist Church.
Michels will replace Scott Harris, who has been interim dean since July 2001.
Mary Pickett can be reached at 657-1262 or at [email protected]
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