Bengal Business

Interim Dean Dr. Alex Bollinger sits down with MBA student Annely Magallanes to explore how growing up in St. Anthony, Idaho, leading statewide BPA, and championing kindness shaped her path at Idaho State University’s College of Business and beyond.

In this episode of the Bengal Business Radio Show, host Dr. Alex Bolinger talks with Tracy Tritle, director of the Small Business Development Center for Region 5 at Idaho State University, about her unconventional career path, her move to Idaho, and her work helping entrepreneurs and small businesses through no-cost consulting services. Tracy shares how a social work and psychology degree led her through project management, software development, telecommunications, consulting, and grant work before a period of burnout, reinvention, and travel helped her reset her life and career. The conversation also explores the SBDC's value for new and existing businesses, the importance of mentorship, the value of testing ideas before investing heavily, and why purpose and passion matter as much as financial planning in entrepreneurship.

Host Dr. Alex Bolinger talks with economist Dr. Karl Geisler about insights from the Idaho Economic Outlook Symposium, including why Idaho’s economy is both highly diversified and relatively resilient in downturns. They explore recent trends in personal income growth, tax revenues, labor force participation, and population changes, and discuss what these mean for Idaho’s long‑term economic trajectory and policy choices.

This episode of the Bengal Business Radio Show features Interim Dean Dr. Alex Bolinger in conversation with marketing professor Haley Hardman and healthcare administration professor Sonali Salunkhe about how research, mentoring, and experiential learning are transforming student lives in Idaho State University’s College of Business.

Interim Dean Alex Bolinger sits down with sales coach John Ney and students Scott Smith and Rick Barns to unpack Idaho State University’s surprise first-place finish at Boise State’s Blue Turf Sales Competition, where ISU outperformed much larger, nationally recognized sales programs.

On this episode of the Bengal Business Radio Show, Interim Dean Dr. Alex Bolinger welcomes Bart and Laura Hill, both retired Lieutenant Colonels from the US Army Signal Corps and distinguished ISU alumni. This engaging conversation follows their unique journeys from Idaho State University through groundbreaking military service, pivotal roles during the events of 9/11, and remarkable leadership positions shaping national security and technology at the White House, Pentagon, and Cisco. The Hills share profound stories of perseverance, the evolution of their careers, advice for current students, and the lasting power of resilience and self-belief. The episode celebrates ISU’s lasting impact and the Hills’ continuing legacy in both public and private sectors.

This episode of the Bengal Business Radio Show features Interim Dean Dr. Alex Bolinger in conversation with Presley Arrowood, Director of Marketing and Communications and MBA student at Idaho State University’s College of Business.

The September 2025 episode of Bengal Business Radio Show, hosted by Dr. Alex Bolinger, features guests Gracie Funk, Karson Jex, and Mark Bolinger. Together, their conversations spotlight student achievements and educational opportunities from competing in the International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC) in Anaheim, California.

The inaugural episode of the "Bengal Business Radio Show," hosted by Dr. Alex Bolinger, interim Dean of the College of Business at Idaho State University, featured guest Brad Allen, co-founder of the accounting firm Davies-Allen and an ISU alumnus. The episode focuses on Brad’s journey from a small Idaho farm to a highly successful accounting student at ISU to co-founding a successful multi-office accounting firm. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of the accounting profession and the importance of business education, with insights relevant to students, alumni, and professionals connected to ISU and beyond.

This special episode of the Bengal Business Radio Show marks the final appearance of Dr. Shane Hunt as host. Dr. Hunt, Dean of the Idaho State University (ISU) College of Business, announces his departure to become President of Cameron University in Oklahoma. The episode features an in-depth conversation with Dr. Alex Bolinger, the incoming Dean and next host of the show, reflecting on their careers, the College’s legacy, and recent student achievements.

This month on the Bengal Business Radio Show, ISU College of Business Dean Shane Hunt welcomes Kristine McCarty, Director of Development for the College. Together, they discuss Kristine’s career journey and dive into topics such as the recently concluded Bengal Giving Day, fundraising, philanthropy, and the impact of donations.

This month on the Bengal Business Radio Show, ISU College of Business Dean Shane Hunt welcomes Chris Chatwin, Assistant Professor of Finance. They discuss financial literacy, baseball, and the exciting lineup of events for Financial Literacy Week, including movie night, trivia, giveaways and other fun activities.

This month on the Bengal Business Radio Show, ISU College of Business Dean Shane Hunt welcomes Jayce Packer, this year's ISU Outstanding Student Achievement Award recipient for the ISU College of Business. In part II of the show, Dean Hunt then welcomes Dr. Karl Geisler, new department chair for the ISU Department of Economics and Finance, for a conversation about Geisler's new role with the ISU College of Business.

This month on the Bengal Business Radio Show, ISU College of Business Dean Shane Hunt welcomes Sean McBride, Senior Clinical Instructor of Industrial Cybersecurity Engineering Technology at Idaho State University’s Energy Systems Technology Education Center (ESTEC) and an ISU alumnus, for a conversation about the dynamic relationship between the cybersecurity program and the College of Business.In the next segment, Dean Hunt is joined by Dr. Ashley Li, a Professor of Accounting and a recent addition to the ISU College of Business faculty.

This month on the Bengal Business Radio Show, Dr. Shane Hunt speaks with College of Business alumnus Victor Dominguez. Dominguez, a Planning & Financial Controls Analyst at INL, discusses the professional impacts of his academic experiences at the ISU College of Business and how being a first-generation high school and college graduate shaped his journey. In the second half of the show, Dean Hunt welcomes Annik Martin, the new Clinical Professor of Management in the ISU College of Business, and the 2024 State Gem Innovative Educator Award in the category of Mathematical Ways of Knowing.

On this month's episode, join Dean Shane Hunt as he welcomes fellow Marketing Professor, John Ney for a conversation about ISU's Professional Development Month.

COB Dean Shane Hunt sits down with ISU Dean of Students Matt Daily for part one of this month’s Bengal Business Radio Show. They talk about the role of the Dean of Students at Idaho State University as well as challenges facing student success. In part two of the show, finance professor Dr. Paul Obermann joins Dean Hunt for a stimulating discussion about Obermann’s recently published works and research on the role of connections in division management.

This month on the Bengal Business Radio Show, ISU College of Business Dean Shane Hunt welcomes Brian Berrett, CFO of Idaho Central Credit Union and College of Business (COB) alumn, for a conversation about the value of financial health and educating ourselves to strengthen our personal financial well being. Recent ISU COB graduate Andrew Hunt is the special guest for the second half of the show.

On this month's episode, join Dean Shane Hunt as he welcomes Health West CEO and ISU alumna, Mindy Benedetti, to discuss all things Health West. In the next segment, Dean Hunt is joined by ISU Professor of Accounting, Dr. Erik Boyle, to explore the impact of artificial intelligence in the classroom and the accounting profession.

Dean Shane Hunt welcomes graduating MBA student Josh Luker to our May edition of the Bengal Business Radio Show. Josh was part of a winning team at this year’s International Business Strategy Competition in California. Josh will continue his studies next year in the Ph.D. program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The faculty interview in the second half of this month’s show features long time ISU professor of finance Dr. Ann Hackert.