AVISORS

Dr. Vittal Anantatmula
Dr. Anantatmula is an Associate Professor of Project Management in the College of Business, Western Carolina University. He is also the Director of Project Management Graduate Programs. Dr. Anantatmula's current research is focused on integrating knowledge management and project management, knowledge management effectiveness, project management performance, and leadership. Dr. Anantatmula has publications in journals such as Journal of Knowledge Management, International Journal of Knowledge Management, Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems (VINE), International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, and Project Management Journal. Prior to joining Western Carolina University, he was at the George Washington University teaching and directing a graduate degree program. Dr. Anantatmula has worked in the petroleum and power industries for several years as an electrical engineer and project manager.
Dr. Anantatmula holds B.E. (Electrical Engineering) from Andhra University, MBA from IIM-MDI, MS and D.Sc. in Engineering Management from the George Washington University. He is a certified Project Management Professional and Certified Cost Engineer.

Nasir el-Rufai
Mr. el Rufai was born in Daudawa of the Faskari Local Government Area in the northern state of Katsina. He was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and member of the Federal Executive Council, the highest decision making body in Nigeria from 2003 – 2007. He attended various academic and professional programmes at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, University of London, Harvard Business School, Arthur D. Little School of Management in Massachusetts, Georgetown University School of Foreign Services in Washington, D.C. and the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He holds a first class honors degree in Quantity Surveying (1980), a Masters Degree in Business Administration (1984), a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science (1985), a Bachelor of Laws (2008), Master of Public Administration (2009), and has attended several programs on Privatization and Leadership. He established and ran what became a successful consulting practice, el-Rufai & Partners, between 1982 and 1998. He also held management positions with two international telecommunications companies, AT&T Network Systems International BV and Motorola, Inc. In October 2001, he was conferred a national honour, OFR (Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) by the Federal Government of Nigeria while serving as the director general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the secretary of the National Council of Privatisation where he spearheaded the privatisation of many government owned companies. He is happily married with children. In 2005, he was conferred D.Sc (honoris causa) by the University of Abuja, Nigeria.

Dr. William C. Schipper
Mr. Schipper is an experienced and effective education administration manager, grants writer, in-service trainer, classroom instructor, project manager, editor, and publisher. Since 2009, he is serving as President and CEO, American College of Commerce and Technology (ACCT) in Falls Church Virginia. Prior to joining ACCT he was Dean of School of Business and Graduate Studies and Director Faculty Assessment & Development, Stratford University where he hired and supervised more than 50 academic faculty; scheduled and assigned classes; selected textbooks; implemented programs to improve instruction and to track student outcomes; developed framework for Institutional Effectiveness Plan. Earlier, he was Academic Dean, Strayer University responsible for academic quality and student retention; oversight of full time faculty and approximately 40 adjunct faculty and administrative staff. Prior to that he was Executive Director, National Association of State Directors of Special Education where he led the organization to achieve largest ever Congressional appropriation for nation’s special education programs; achieved new legislation favorable to state education agencies. He also directed national and international administrator training programs and conferences; acted as Congressional and federal agency liaison; represented state education agencies to Congress and federal agencies; wrote, edited and published national publications. He developed dozens of administrative manuals and numerous administrator training programs. Earlier, he served as Executive Director, International Learning and Technology Center and developed, the federally funded center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana until it was merged into the Louisiana Department of Education. Mission was to develop innovative arts and technology programs for persons with disabilities, develop a “classroom of the future”, and serve as an information center.
He has Ph. D. degree in Education Administration from University of Utah, Masters in Arts on Secondary Curriculum from University of the Pacific and B.A. in Political Science from Chico State College.