Dr. J. Kerry Waller, Associate Dean of Piedmont College’s Harry W. Walker School of Business, has been promoted to Dean, the college announced.

Waller, who has served on the faculty since 2011, emerged from a national search that attracted many strong candidates. He will begin his duties July 1.

A native of New Jersey, Waller earned a B.A. in economics from Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pennsylvania) and a Ph.D. in economics from Clemson University. His primary area of interest is sports economics. Waller has also taught at Clemson University, Dickinson, and the University of South Carolina Upstate (Spartanburg, South Carolina).

Waller received the Delta Mu Delta Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017 and the Alpha Sigma Pi, National Society of Leadership and Success Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014. Promoted to Associate Dean of the School of Business in 2017, he replaces Dr. Edward Taylor who is retiring. Waller has been an active member of the college’s faculty senate and has also served as chair for the Center for Teaching and Learning.

“Dr. Waller is an accomplished leader who has served the college in advancing roles for nine years,” said Piedmont College President James F. Mellichamp. “He is extremely approachable and collaborative. This skillset will help Dean Waller as he leads the Walker School of Business through a period of change, which includes transitioning our graduate programs to an online and hybrid format.”

Named in honor of a former Piedmont trustee, benefactor, Yale graduate and successful Florida businessman, the Harry W. Walker School of Business enrolls 167 students and offers undergraduate concentrations in accounting, data science, finance, management, marketing, hospitality & tourism management and a masters of business administration.

“Having been in the Walker School of Business for most of the last decade, I know what a great team we have in place,” said Waller. “I am looking forward to leading this group as we advance our programs and face new challenges.”