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Name: Mark Keppler
Title: Executive director, Maddy Institute and professor, Department of Management
Length of service: Since 1987, 34 years

Academic Degrees:

• J.D., University of Wisconsin
• M.S. (Industrial Relations), University of Wisconsin
• B.S. (Business Administration and Economics), State University of New York

What is your most notable accomplishment in your field, and why was it important?

Since I see myself as having had four areas of focus during my career, I would say:

• Maddy Institute: Helping the Institute become the public policy institute for the Valley's four public universities (Fresno State; University of California, Merced; California State University, Bakersfield; and Stanislaus State) because I believe it is critical that we marshal the Valley's academic resources and talent to help solve our common problems.
• Craig School: As a human resource management professor, I was part of a faculty team that helped our student Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter become a 12-time National Superior Merit Award recipient (1995-2006), win the National Top Ten Student Chapter Recognition award seven years in a row (1998-2006) and win the 2001 National SHRM student competition ("HR Games"). This was important because it established a national reputation for Fresno State's HRM program.
• Professional area (dispute resolution): Being named to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's mediation panel, as well as the arbitration panel that hears the U.S. Border Patrol labor-management disputes in California, Texas and New Mexico were important because it was recognition by my peers that they considered me an expert in the field.
• Community: Leading the effort to build the 13-mile Fresno Sugar Pine and Clovis Old Town Trail, as well as establishing the Clovis Community Foundation that has already raised over $1.5 million for the community, because they have improved our community in tangible ways.

What are you most passionate about in your field and why?

Since I do two jobs at the University (Maddy Institute and Craig School), there are two answers. I am passionate about my work with the Maddy Institute because I am a strong believer in leveraging the academic talent that exists at our Valley universities to propose practical solutions to improve our community, state and nation. I am passionate about my work at the Craig School in the areas of labor relations and dispute resolution because of the significant effect workplace conflict can have on the daily lives of workers and the on-going viability of organizations.

What is a memorable moment you had at your job?

As a business professor, winning the 2001 national SHRM student competition ("HR Games"). It was HRM's version of "March Madness" and was very exciting (especially since we had been the national runner-up the year before). As director of the Maddy Institute, signing an MOU with the chancellor at UC Merced and the presidents of Fresno State, CSUB and Stanislaus State that designated the Maddy Institute as the public policy institute for the Valley's four public universities was the culmination of building the Maddy Institute into the Valley's premier public policy institute.

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?

What spare time? On a more serious note, I enjoy the simple things like traveling and spending time with family and friends.

What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?

I have an identical twin brother, Michael — and I'm considered "the quiet one."

Is there something else you would like to share that was not asked?

When I first moved to California, I had the opportunity to teach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Some questioned my judgement when I chose to come to Fresno State instead. After 34 years, however, I am more sure than ever that I made the right choice. Being here has given me unique opportunities to become involved in the community in many impactful ways that simply would not have existed elsewhere. As a result, I can't imagine having a more rewarding professional and personal experience.