Vesna
Luzar-Stiffler
obtained her B.Sc. in Mathematics at the University of Zagreb,
her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Faculty of
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in Zagreb, specializing
in Computational Statistics. She was awarded Fulbright Postdoctoral
Grant for research at the Department of Statistics, Stanford
University, specializing in computational statistics and multivariate
analysis (i.e., data mining foundations). Her work experience
includes research, development, and teaching at the University
Computing Centre, teaching of statistics at the University
of Zagreb, Stanford University, University of Maryland, University
of Naples, SAS Institute. She has consulted in the area of
statistical applications in business, data mining operations,
and SAS software support with various companies (including
pharmaceutical, aeronautic, automotive, semiconductor manufacturing
technology, insurance, food retail, beverage, telecommunications)
and government organizations in the US, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia,
Macedonia, Romania.
Charles
Stiffler obtained his MBA in 1980 at San Diego State
University, specializing in Consumer Psychology and Market
Research, and his doctorate (Ph.D.) in Business and Administration
from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1985, specializing
in Market Research and Business Strategy. He taught at the
University of Colorado, Boulder until 1987, where over a 7
year period he completed 120+ market research projects. He
has consulted in industry, taught in the area of enterpreneurship
and was owner/ director of a research firm (Environmental
Marketing Inc.) during the late 80’s. From 1990 until
1995 he taught with the University of Maryland at various
locations in Europe. For the past several years he has worked
as a private consultant in Europe and the US, and has periodically
taught at the University of Zagreb, SAS Institute, University
Computing Centre, Zagreb and various institutions in Europe.
Recent areas of research activity include beverage industry,
food retailing, insurance marketing, automotive sales, telecommunications,
customer relationship applications, business analytical solutions,
consumer behavior, and excellence in business intelligence
systems.