• Joseph Cimbak
• Barrett Horne
• Gayla Napier
• Noah Harris

Joseph Cimbak is an OMD graduate, and even considered continuing on to Fielding Graduate University's doctoral program in HOD. He opted instead for the certificate in Evidence Based Coaching, so that he could "pull immediate benefit" from his scholarly endeavors. Joseph was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Where do you work? What is your position title?

"I work at Moog Inc. in the Buffalo, NY area. We are a $1.4 billion dollar aerospace and industrial company. I'm the Corporate Organization Development Manager with responsibility also for the Human Resource Management System. This position is in the Executive classification of our company. I'm paid at the top of the scale for OD people per latest surveys."

What was the title of your MA master's project?

"My thesis title was A Robin Hood Reallocation Scheme For Welfare Reduction, Taking Cars From The Rich And Giving Them To The Poor, The Vital Role Of Personal Vehicles In Welfare-to-Work Scenarios In Rural America. I chose that thesis because I was able to get paid for this research! I had a client willing to pay me for this work."

If you could say something to a prospective Fielding Graduate University OMD student, what would it be?

"Before earning my MA in OD at Fielding I felt like I was doing well in the world of OD, I felt as though I had a handle on my job and what I was trying to do for my employer. However, I am an Industrial Engineer; I therefore may have 'engineer's disease' of always thinking I know what I'm doing. During a moment of self-reflection I realized that even though I had a BS in I.E. and an MS in Manufacturing Management I really felt as though I was practicing OD without proper "license." I discussed this with a mentor…he suggested Fielding. I took one look and was sold! The asynchronous nature of the degree made it possible for me to do this in my own time. The scholar-practitioner philosophy insured that what I was researching and learning I was applying directly, day to day on the job. My work became better. I am a much better prepared OD person today…I feel as though I'm at the top of my game because of Fielding.

Would you like to be contacted by other OMD alumni/students/prospects who share your interests?

"Yes, Fielding is a home for me and I really mean that… send people my way." Joe's e-mail address is jcimbak@moog.com.

Do you stay involved at Fielding? If so, how?

"Of course I stay involved at Fielding. It is my OD Home for staying in touch with others. I'm now in the Evidenced Based Coaching graduate level year long program. Again, direct application to my work."

Barrett Horne is a current student at Fielding, pursuing his master's degree in Organization Management and Development. He was kind enough to answer a few questions:

Where do you work? What is your position title?

I work for the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), a faith-based NGO working in some 150 nations. I am responsible for overseeing the work we do in the former USSR, what we now call 'Eurasia'. My official title is "Regional Secretary for Eurasia". I am also a member of what we call the Senior Leadership Team which advises the General Secretary (CEO).

What are your current research interests?

I am interested in what are the essential criteria for a healthy and sustainable NGO, looking especially at the Eurasian (i.e., post-Soviet) context, but concerned globally.

How would you describe your online learning experience thus far?

To be honest, I began my Fielding experience with more than a bit of skepticism about the potential of an online environment to deliver a genuine community learning experience. I was wrong! I am deeply and positively impressed by how well the online experience works as a learning environment. A large part of this has to do with the remarkable commitment and skill of the faculty, of course. But I find the students are highly motivated and the design of the courses also seems to work well. What especially has struck me (as an old extrovert) is how well this environment allows the insights and contributions of all participants to emerge--those who think quickly and are quite vocal as well as those who need time to gather their thoughts and would otherwise (e.g., in traditional graduate seminars) contribute only rarely to discussions. So it has been a very positive learning experience!

Would you like to be contacted by other OMD alumni/students/prospects who share your interests? If so, what is the best way to contact you?

Happy to be contacted. Email typically works well, though in busy times my inbox can get overfull! A telephone call is also fine. Best number to reach me is 360-312-4109 (Pacific time zone).

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Gayla Napier is an alumna of Fielding's Organization Management and Development master's program. She is now pursuing a doctorate in Human and Organizational Systems. She was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Where do you work? What is your position title?

I am a Senior Management Consultant for BearingPoint, where I help companies become successful. Most of my work is related to large systems implementation and business process work, but I stretch into many areas looking for solutions to problems. I enjoy my work a great deal, but am looking forward to the time in my life when I can align my educational interests with my work more closely.

What was the title of your MA master's project?

The title of my Masters project was: "Role of Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem, and Locus of Control in Determining Ideal Work Team Composition". Wow, is that a mouthful!

Do you have any current research interests?

As I move into my next life at Fielding as an HOD student I am interested in many things from a research perspective. I am most fascinated by distributed work teams and the role that online communications play in our lives from both a work and personal perspective.

Would you like to be contacted by other OMD alumni/students/prospects who share your interests? If so, what is the best way to contact you?

I would be happy to be contacted by other OMD alumni/students/prospects for any reason. I've always found the people associated with Fielding to be fascinating, intelligent, fun people. I've included my contact information below.* People should feel comfortable reaching me any of these ways, but the mobile phone or electronic means will produce the quickest response as I am not at home often.

Do you stay involved at Fielding? If so, how?

I love hearing from Fielding! Actually I have just joined the active Fielding community again; I participated in the March 2007 NSO [New Student Orientation] for the HOD program. I am very excited at the opportunity to study with Fielding again.

*Mobile Phone-801.414.6104
Skype-gayla.napier
Email(s)-gaylanapier@comcast.net; gaylanapier@yahoo.com; gaylanapier@hotmail.com
IM (Instant Messaging)-gaylanapier@yahoo.com; gaylanapier@hotmail.com; AIM: gaylanapier

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Noah Harris is a current student at Fielding, pursuing his master's degree in Organization Management and Development.  He was kind enough to answer a few questions:

Where do you work? What is your position title?

I work as a consultant focused on providing organization development, risk and general business management solutions to the small and micro-business sector. I recently was invited to become a partner in a consulting firm, and work independently on a number of projects. I'm currently in the process of integrating my various projects into the firm's structure. My major project responsibilities include: developing our risk management client base, (beta-user based) product development for our start-up software client, and contributing to the strategic plan development for a new non-profit client.

I am a member of the American Society for Quality (Quality Management, Six Sigma, Lean, Human Development & Leadership specific interest groups) and the OD Network. I am also a volunteer HR and Management Consultant with the Taproot Foundation (the nation's largest non-profit consulting firm).

I also currently teaching a Spanish-language computer class at a non-profit conservation organization to help bridge the ‘digital divide'; providing the organization's clients with much needed computer skills.

What are your current research interests?

I am very interested in metacognitive and volition-based approaches to transformational change, and will likely base my Master's Project on this subject. I'm also keenly interested in how learning and chaos and complexity theories can also be applied in redirecting forces that typically manifest as resistance to change.

How would you describe your online learning experience thus far?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my online learning experience thus far, and really appreciate the depth of experience and knowledge of my classmates. I completed my undergraduate business management degree online as well, however, am considerably impressed with the comparably more experienced classmates in my graduate program. I am truly eager to work with them, and can easily see myself collaborating and forming lasting friendships with them as my program progresses.

Would you like to be contacted by other OMD alumni/students/prospects who share your interests? If so, what is the best way to contact you?

I would be more than happy to be contacted by other OMD alumni/students/prospects sharing my interests, and the best way to contact me is via email at noahharris@hotmail.com.

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