Mark Beffort is the Chief Operating Officer and Portfolio Manager of . He has over 37 years of real estate experience that investors and Square Deal value and trust. Beffort also serves as the CEO for , a trusted partner and service provider for Square Dealβs real estate strategy.
Beffort started his real estate career in ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ City after graduating from Washburn University in 1985. He has led several different companies over the years and has successfully grown to manage over two billion in assets. His relationships with investors, expertise in his field, and involvement in his community set Mark apart and make him the perfect mentor in this industry.
Markβs professional and community involvement includes Trustee for Washburn University Foundation, Chair of the Council of Bond Oversight for the State of ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½, Commissioner OKC Urban Renewal Authority and OKC Redevelopment Authority, Downtown OKC past Chair, Economics Club, Rotary Club 29, Myriad Gardens Foundation, Junior Achievement, and Allied Arts of ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½. He is married with 4 children and enjoys mentoring young entrepreneurs, biking, and traveling.
Jim Denton is Partner Emeritus at . He currently serves as a Special Review Committee Member for the Government Finance Officers Association's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program. Denton is also a recipient of the AICPA's Certificate of Educational Achievement in Governmental Accounting and Auditing.
Denton serves as an investigator for the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Accountancy Board and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Society of CPAs. He has served as the Chairman of the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Society of CPAs Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee and as an instructor at the Annual Governmental Accounting and Auditing Update Conference sponsored by the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Society of CPAs. He is a graduate of the University of Central ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½, receiving his bachelorβs degree in accounting in 1984.
Jim is a former public-school teacher and band director. He and his wife, Cathie, sing with the Canterbury Choral Society.
Timothy Harlin earned his Accounting BS from ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Meinders School of Business in 2010.
"Passionate about excellence, I bring 100% energy and focus to everything I do. Broadly speaking, I don't believe in multitasking--I need to be present and fully focused on the task at hand. I don't often mix work and family and tend to be in one world or the other. I believe that saying NO is one of the hardest skills to learn, but it is absolutely vital in our accelerated, 24/7/365 world.
Educated in accounting, I've worked as an Executive Assistant, CFO, and most recently as a co-founder of Comma Insurance. Comma has surpassed 10 years in business and continues to grow rapidly. Today, I lead a team of nearly 50 people, and we serve clients in almost half the country."
- Timothy Harlin
Mark Hasting has an entrepreneurial spirit. His first job was working at his elementary school office supply store selling pencils and erasers to his classmates. In college, he built on this enthusiasm where he earned his B.S. in Marketing from ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ State University and an MBA at ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ City University.
In his 20-year tenure at Target, where he served as Store Manager, District Manager, Regional Vice President, and Vice President of Store Operations, Hastings honed his skills in driving operational excellence. At Starbucks, as the Vice President of the Mid America Region, Hasting broadened his customer-centric approach, enhancing not just service but the overall customer experience.
As COO for Kum & Go and MyEyeDr, Hasting modernized operations and laid the groundwork for scaled growth. His track record in improving financial and operational performance, nurturing talent, and fostering growth is evident across multiple large, geographically diverse organizations.
In July 2020, Hasting joined Blainβs Farm & Fleet as the Chief of Stores Officer, and within two years, he was promoted to Chief Commerce and Operating Officer, taking on additional responsibilities for e-commerce operations and P&L, real estate, and facilities. His most recent promotion in August of 2023 to President and Chief Commerce & Operating Officer further expanded his purview to include Demand Planning and Supply Chain, showcasing his continued commitment to driving the company's growth and operational strategy.
On September 1, 2024, Hasting was promoted to Chief Executive Officer and President of. He has responsibility for all aspects of Blainβs Farm & Fleet and Blain Supply, Inc.
Dr. Robinson earned his B.S. from ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ City University in 2010, Majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis on marketing and management. He is the Senior Manager - Outreach & Recruitment
Work Ready ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ (by way of Public Strategies).
As a result of his numerous accomplishments and contributions, Dr. Robinson was inducted into the OCCC Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018. He recently served as the Director of the Office of Admissions, Recruitment, and Outreach Programs at Langston University for four and a half years.
The Meinders School of Business (MSB) Executives in Residence (EIR) is a platform that enables professionals to share your real-world experiences, expertise and networks with MSB students and faculty. We invite an exclusive list of top executives to participate in our EIR program. This contribution from the business community, sharing a wealth of knowledge, experience and connections makes a profound impact on our students.
What We Ask For:
- Commit to 4 hours a month for scheduled βOffice Hoursβ in the MSB during the Spring and Fall semesters. Summer is optional due to the lower student population in ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½. We have a designated office for local EIR to meet with students and faculty. Out-of-state (or traveling) EIR can practice office hours virtually by utilizing a set schedule and streaming tools.
- Be a guest speaker for undergraduate and graduate ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ related to your field of experience or expertise. Typically, once or twice per semester.
- Be available to answer questions, mentor and make recommendations to MSB students, faculty and staff.
Our areas of educational focus in MSB are:
- Accounting
- Banking
- Business Administration
- Data Analytics
- Economics
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Real Estate
- Supply Chain Management
MSB and EIR both stand to gain from a focused engagement, in a shorter time frame and with manageable commitments. Our EIR program fosters the regular flow back and forth of knowledge and best practices between MSB and the business community. Participation is not just a service, but also a valuable learning opportunity for both parties.
If you want to give back to others, please bring your years of industry experience to the next generation of business leaders in the Meinders School of Business at ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ City University, contact Kyle Golding, Director of Corporate Relations for the Meinders School of Business.
βHaving top business professionals on campus, interacting with students and faculty on a regular basis, benefits everyone. Our Executives In Residence program is a great way for those who have achieved success in their careers to support the next generation of professionals, along with the business community of our city and state. We appreciate your willingness to share your time, experience and expertise with the Meinders School of Business.β
Dr. Sri Beldona, PH.D.
Dean of the Meinders School of Business
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