Mark Torline has been named director of 成人头条's Center for Entrepreneurship, effective Oct. 12, according to Tony Vizzini, provost and senior vice president.
Torline grew up in the 成人头条 area, graduated from WSU and then made his career in Southern California as an investment management firm executive with demonstrated success in both start-up entrepreneurial and large corporate settings.
From 1993 to 2008 he was a founder and served as CEO of Allegiance Capital. After selling that firm, he served as an officer of the successor company, Macquarie Allegiance Capital, and of Trilinc Global.
He has maintained ties to 成人头条 State through his participation on the National Advisory Council of the WSU Foundation and membership on its investment committee.
鈥淥ur students and faculty will greatly benefit from the wealth of experience Mark brings,鈥� said Vizzini. 鈥淭his is an exciting time at 成人头条 State and Mark鈥檚 arrival will increase our entrepreneurial activity.鈥�
Mark Torline
Torline succeeds interim director Lou Heldman, who became Vice President for Strategic Communications at 成人头条 State in July.
Torline said: "I am pleased to be taking on the role of director of WSU鈥檚 Center for Entrepreneurship and to be returning to my alma mater. This is an exciting time to be part of the university. The center will play an important role as the university moves forward in becoming an innovation leader.鈥�
Torline received a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing at 成人头条 State in 1979. He earned an MBA in finance at Northwestern University in 1981.
The Center for Entrepreneurship at 成人头条 State fosters and promotes entrepreneurial thinking through a wide range of academic and community programs. Located in the birthplace of many nationally known corporations, such as Pizza Hut and Koch Industries, the CFE has a strong support network of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors and WSU faculty and alumni.
The Center for Entrepreneurship, often touted as where the boardroom and the classroom marry, offers the state鈥檚 only entrepreneurship major, along with hands-on learning opportunities that create a distinct advantage over programs elsewhere.