Board of Directors

The Institute of Business & Finance (IBF) boasts an experienced full-time faculty and administrative staff along with a team of off-site professional educators, all of whom provide services to students to help them succeed. Our off-site educators are practicing professionals in their fields. They are eager to share their real-world knowledge with each and every student by contributing to course development and content, providing advice and consultation, and offering instructional support.

If you need academic assistance during your studies, you will be communicating (by phone, mail or e-mail) with one of our helpful IBF instructors. They are all experts in their areas of specialization. They are here to answer your questions and ensure you fully grasp and can apply what you are learning. Below are brief bios on our board of directors.

Dr. Gordon K. Williamson
Position: board of directors, instructor and registered principal of a national brokerage firm

Dr. Williamson has been a stockbroker for over a quarter of a century. He has been the financial editor of several newspapers and magazines. Gordon is also the author of 32 books, including the most popular book ever written on mutual funds, The 100 Best Mutual Funds You Can Buy (over 500,000 copies sold). He is also the author of the first two books ever written about annuities and has appeared on over 150 radio and television shows.

Gordon earned his undergraduate degree at the University of California at Santa Barbara where he co-authored his first book, an undergraduate textbook, Legal Argumentation. He completed his law degree at California Western School of Law where he was the editor of two legal newspapers; his MBA degree is from California State University at San Diego. Dr. Williamson was a tax and estate planning attorney for close to 25 years.

Inger P. Davis
Position: board of directors and course development editor

Dr. Davis received her MA and PhD from the University of Chicago as a United Nations and Fulbright fellow. Inger has developed graduate and postgraduate programs for the University of Chicago and San Diego State University.

Dr. Davis has served on several editorial boards of professional journals, on public commissions and boards of directors of human service and research organizations. Inger has also received several professional awards such as the Association of California University Professors Price and the June Burnett Institute Outstanding Leadership Award.

Dr. Anne Uphoff
Position: board of directors and investor liaison

Dr. Uphoff received her MS in psychology in 1973 and her PhD in 1978. For close to 30 years, Dr. Uphoff has focused on behavior science; for a number of years she was an educational instructor. Besides being a board member, Anne serves in an advisory capacity, making sure course materials are representative of investors' concerns. She has been an active investor for over 20 years.