Meet Your Executive Board
Catherine Levitt holds a B.A. magna cum laude in French and Philosophy from John Carroll University, a Master’s degree in International Business from Pepperdine University, and a Doctorate in Business Administration in Strategic Management from United States International University. Dr. Levitt also holds another graduate degree in Southeast Asian Studies and Vietnamese Language and is a certified Commercial Contracts Negotiator.
Dr. Levitt has more than 15 years of private industry experience at an executive level as well as several years with the Department of Defense.
Dr. Levitt has lived, worked and taught in China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, France, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Her particular area of interest and expertise is in the privatization process that accompanies the transition from a command economy to free-market practice. Integral to this research is the study of the changing mindset and cultural change that accompanies and underpins economic change. Interested in languages, art, and cultural formation, Dr. Levitt speaks English, German, French, Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese well and can limp along in a few other languages. She reads Spanish and Italian.
Currently, Catherine Levitt continues as Director of the Center for East-West Entrepreneurial Studies in Southern California and consults on privatizing industries in transitional economies. Dr. Levitt is the Representative at Large for the Americas to the Executive Council of the International Association for Chinese Management Research. She was Provost of Golden Gate University’s Southern California Region from 1998-2000.
Robert Holmes is an experienced business executive who has spent over 40 years in manufacturing, marketing, sales, and distribution. He has served as a CEO, President, COO, Director or General Manager of several global organizations and has worked alongside the automotive legend, Lee Iacocca. Mr. Holmes holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and an MBA with specialization in marketing and finance, both from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA. Mr. Holmes has been an Adjunct Instructor at College of the Desert since 2003.
Michael Gladych is an Emmy-winning film producer, writer and editor. He teaches courses in film, mass media and motion picture production at College of the Desert.
He earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from the USC School of Cinematic Arts where he was awarded the CBS Scholarship and worked as a teaching assistant in film production.
He went on to become an editor and writer of behind-the-scenes special features for major studios including Disney, Sony Pictures, Universal and Paramount. He also worked as an editor on network television specials including the Academy Awards Show, and as a field producer for the Disney Channel.
His hobbies include astronomy, motorcycle riding, ocean racing and electric cars.
Dan Cooper is a Hospitality Management Instructor for the School of Business. He has taught at COD since 2016.
Prior Career: Country Club General Manager – 30 plus years
Bachelors in Hospitality Management, Cal Poly Pomona
Certified Chief Executive
Certified Club Manager
Dr. Arlette Poland holds a JD, MA in Religion, MA in Ethical Leadership, and a Ph.D. A former lawyer, she is now Adjunct Professor and has been with COD since 2001. She has taught classes in Business, Political Science, World Religions, Ethics and Perspectives on Death and Dying. Dr. Poland has been on the CODAA Board as At-Large Member for several years and is proud to support the association whenever possible.
David Bashore has served on the CODAA executive board since June 2010, first as secretary and then elected president in January 2011.
David received a B.S. degree in Speech and Theater from the State University of New York, Oneonta in 1970. He earned an M.S. degree in Speech Communication from Illinois State University in 1971, and an M.B.A. in Human Resources Management from Golden Gate University in 1986. His teaching career has spanned over 30 years at the college and university levels and 17 years’ of corporate training experience. He has been teaching Communication Studies at the College of the Desert for 13 years.
Senorina Saldivar
CODAA Member-At-Large
senorinasaldivar@gmail.com
Julius Varga
CODAA Member-At-Large, Adjunct Faculty, Automotive
vargs2523@aol.com