October 27, 2006

by Larry Pena

Kristine Webster, CPA, MBA (Finance), begins a new position this year as associate professor of accounting and finance in La Sierra University’s School of Business.  She has been an assistant and contract professor here since 1992, and now makes the move to full-time faculty. 

During her time as a teacher, she has also held positions as a financial officer for several different companies, including Ernst & Young, LLP; National Xpress Logistics; Family Services Association of Western Riverside County; Lobb & Cliff, LLP; and 2HQ.com, Inc., a company that she co-founded.  “I like a challenge,” says Webster, who typically spends three to four years with a firm improving the company’s financial situation, before moving on to another job and another challenge.

Most notably, from 1997 to 1999, Webster was Chief Financial Officer for Shopping.com, an incorporated online store.  In this job, Webster was responsible for turning the private corporation into a publicly traded entity, ultimately merging the company with the Compaq Computer Corporation in a $220 million deal.   As the former CFO of a publicly traded company, Webster is the only teacher in the Seventh-day Adventist educational system with experience reporting to the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to School of Business dean Johnny Thomas, Ph.D Webster has found that her substantial business achievements serve her well inside the classroom.  “It’s good to be able to draw connections from the textbook knowledge to real-world experiences,” she says.  “Business is about more than just practical knowledge--it’s about real life experience, integrity, networking, and an understanding and appreciation of people.”

“It’s wonderful to have someone with lots of experience in both business and teaching, someone who has achieved such a high level in the business field,” says Thomas.