University of Advancing Technology (UAT), technology isn’t just studied—it’s integrated into every aspect of our curriculum and campus life, creating an immersive experience that prepares students to lead in a tech-driven world. Our faculty and staff are passionate technology enthusiasts who drive our mission by pushing boundaries and empowering our students to innovate alongside them. At the forefront of innovation, our dedicated team ensures every student not only excels but thrives in our dynamic learning environment.
Fueled by a passion for shaping the next generation of technological leaders, our staff goes beyond teaching; they mentor, guide, and champion our students from campus life to career success. This personalized support is what sets UAT apart—a small, private university where technology meets limitless possibilities.
Karla earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. She continued her education earning her MS in Forensic Science at National University, and her EMBA at Grand Canyon University.
Karla has worked in higher education for over fifteen years. Previously, she worked in the legal and insurance fields. She joined the UAT team in 1999 as a Dial up Support Technician. She moved up to IT Coordinator and then IT Manager where she oversaw IT, BI, and Internal Marketing. Karla was then promoted to Chief Operating Officer where she now oversees Organizational Development, Admissions, Student Services, Career Services, Financial Aid, Safety, and Legal.
Outside of UAT Karla has run five businesses, Gift Basket Impressions, Karla Elena Designs, HigherEd Recruiting, and Shopping With Fido, Alpaca Passion Farms. In her free time Karla likes to garden, read, make jewelry, and spend time with her family.
EMBA, Grand Canyon University
MS Forensic Science, National University
BS Business Management, University of Phoenix
Valerie is an administrative professional and a graduate of the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. With more than ten years of customer service experience and five years of high-level administration experience behind her, Valerie has developed a keen ability to produce high-quality support and leadership for various sized organizations and management teams.
Valerie joined the UAT team in September of 2013 as Executive Assistant, fulfilling a long-time desire to apply her degree in an education environment. She was promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Technology and in addition to providing direction and cohesion amongst the leadership team, she oversees Marketing, Technology, First Impressions and Campus Environment.
In the office, she enjoys learning, developing more efficient methods for everything, and checking things off her to-do list. Outside the office, Valerie enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking, and trying new fitness classes.
BS Business Management, W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University
MS Technology Leadership, University of Advancing Technology
Provost Bolman has dedicated his career to educating technologists who will shape and better our community through the innovations that they help to create. As someone who cares greatly about learning, his work at UAT has had a theme of providing students with exceptional moments and growth through the skills that their professors possess as they create learning spaces. As a technologist, he has worked to create a university where the culture of innovation is celebrated and students learn the tools, techniques, concepts, and responsibilities of applying technology in ways that lift up human society.
During Provost Bolman’s three decades at UAT, the university has grown from a single classroom of 13 students into a destination private college campus dedicated to advancing society through the wise use of technology. Provost Bolman has written and been a featured speaker on the nature of technology as a foundational human force. He is an alumnus of and past President to the Board of Valley Leadership, is chairing Valley Leadership’s Leadership Institute, is a member of New Schools for Phoenix Fellows and an alumni of the FBI Citizen’s Academy.
Doctor of Philosophy and Management of Engineering & Technology, Northcentral University
BS, Arizona State University
MT, Arizona State University
Megan started her admissions career as an advisor for Masters of Education programs. From her experience there, her desire for helping others achieve their educational goals has become her passion. She has over thirteen years of experience leading top admission teams and sharing the same goals with her team of supporting students. She started her career University of Advancing Technology in November 2013 and is eager to work with her team.
Megan has her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Organizational Studies where she graduated with honors.
Megan was born and raised in Minnesota. She moved to sunny Arizona in 2002 with her husband of 10 years. They reside in Central Phoenix and enjoy spending time spoiling their two dogs. On weekends they also like to walk and bike around the city to explore all that Phoenix has to offer. She is an avid sports fan and in her spare time likes to attend as many sporting events as possible.
BS Organizational Studies, Arizona State University
Although born in Pennsylvania, Jodi considers herself a native to Arizona as she has been here all but first year of her life. She grew up in the Tempe and attended Arizona State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Before landing at UAT she worked over 20 years as a controller/CFO in the electrical distribution business and prior to that spent several years in public accounting specializing in trust and estate taxes.
Outside of work, she volunteers at Highland High School helping with marching band and orchestra functions. She also enjoys working out, spending time with family and traveling. She has a passion for animals and in the past has volunteered at a bunny rescue. Jodi’s personal motto is we should never stop learning new things.
AA General Business
BS General Accounting, Arizona State University
Ally Videtic joined the UAT family in 2015 as the Dean of Faculty. She has worked in Higher Education for over 18 years, during which time she has amassed a wealth of knowledge in both traditional and distance education best practices, policies, and accreditation and implementation strategies. She has provided leadership for the execution of numerous education programs including curriculum development; identifying, training, and managing faculty; managing the learning management system; and developing policies and procedures for successful delivery.
Ally has been married to her husband Brian, for over a decade and together they have one son, Vaughn. Traveling throughout Arizona and the surrounding states is something her family has really enjoyed since moving to Arizona 2013. In addition, yearly trips to visit their family and friends in IL and snowboarding adventures in Crested Butte, CO are a must!
EdD Educational Leadership (currently pursuing), University of Phoenix
Master of Public Administration, University of Illinois
BS Political Science, University of Illinois
Robert was born in Flint, Michigan, but was primarily raised in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Robert earned his Bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University, where he began his career in Admissions as a tour guide. After moving cross country to sunny Arizona in the Fall of 2014, Robert found joy in explaining the benefits and values that consummate the UAT Experience. A highly optimistic and dynamic communicator, Roberts fathoms his passion for the university to help prospective students discover if UAT is their educational home.
In his spare time, he enjoys reading science fiction novels, all things sports related and exercising. He is a servant to public service and has donated his time to numerous charitable efforts including the Wounded Warrior Project and Red Cross. He is an alumnus of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
BA Broadcast Communication, Western Kentucky University
Lori grew up in Phoenix and is a proud Arizona native. The love of the great outdoors took her to the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where she graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant administration. After returning to Arizona, she completed her MBA in business management from Western International University.
Before arriving at UAT, her career experience included business development and sales management. Outside of work, she enjoys working out, eating healthy and spending time with family.
MBA – Business Management, Western International University
BA – Hotel and Restaurant Administration, Washington State University
If you’re looking for academic record services while on campus chances are you’ll meet Tyler. He’s responsible for maintaining student records for the University, ensuring their accuracy, security and integrity. He found his way to UAT after moving to Arizona from Bovina, TX and was immediately impressed with the staffs’ one-on-one attention to students and “open door policy.”
“I really enjoy the culture at UAT and you're made aware of that culture as soon as you step foot in the University.”
BS, South Plains College
Jay Lohman founded Lohman Company in 2000 after working in the accounting industry for over 30 years. Bringing with him a wealth of experience and expertise that he gained along the way, he set the foundation for the firm’s future success. As President, he is a member of both the Executive Partner Group as well as the Senior Management Group. His primary role is the overall management of the firm and the coordination of assurance, tax and consulting engagements. His specific area of expertise lies in manufacturing, distribution, service, construction, real estate, and technology industries.
An aptitude for math and numbers led Chairman Lohman to a career in accounting and his passion for helping his clients has kept him there. When he was 19 years old, the president of a large manufacturing company took the time to mentor him and opened the door to the CPA profession. Always grateful for the opportunity this provided him, Chairman Lohman feels it is important to give back by spending time with anyone who may bene t from his guidance.
Growing up on a farm in Southwestern Michigan, Chairman Lohman appreciates family values and hard work. He currently resides in Mesa, Arizona with his wife of over 45 years and lives within eight miles of their three children and eleven grandchildren. Traveling and spending time with his family and friends are two of his greatest pleasures in life.
BS Accounting, Aquinas College
AS Accounting and Business, Davenport University
Jason Funk entered the industry and began his career with Western in 1999 while completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Global Business Management from Arizona State University. After his hiring, Director Funk was quickly promoted to several different roles throughout the company. This broad based experience, as well as the completion of his Masters of Business Administration from ASU, provided him a solid foundation and a deep understanding of the firm and its employees when he was promoted to President in 2006.
While heading Western’s leadership, Director Funk focused on the growth of the business. He led the company toward geographic expansion, greater diversification of job types, creation of new products, and a steadfast commitment to customer service. He transformed Western and created a culture that sees all of its employees committed to three core values: excellence, innovation, and partnership. His unique approach to business, as well as his "employees first” operations model, helped the company's sales skyrocket under his direction.
In 2012, Director Funk was selected for the Phoenix Business Journal's "40 under 40" list honoring the best young leaders in Arizona as well as U.S. Glass magazine's "Industry's Most Influential" list. In 2013 he was named to Engineering News & Record’s list of 20 under 40 in the construction industry and Professional Builder’s list of 40 under 40 in the homebuilding industry.
On a personal level, Director Funk is active in many organizations. In addition to serving the UAT Board, he has held board positions with YPO (Young President's Organization), and the MVP Foundation, which helps better the lives of children and families in need. Additionally, Director Funk works with children first hand as a Cub Scout Leader. In 2013, the Arizona Kidney Foundation selected Director Funk as one of its "Celebrity Dancers” for their “Dancing With the Stars” Arizona fundraiser.
BS Global Business Management, Arizona State University
MBA, Arizona State University
Dr. Nancy Houston has extensive leadership experience in the fields of information systems and education in both national and international environments. During her career at NATO she served in various management positions finishing as Cognitive Science Coordinator for the C4I Division of Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk, Virginia. She was an active participant on numerous research panels related to human factors for the NATO Science and Technology Organization and a frequent speaker to NATO and national groups. Before joining the ACT staff she was an Information Processing Engineer with the NATO Communications, Command and Control Agency in Brussels, Belgium.
Prior to joining NATO, Dr. Houston taught graduate-level information systems courses for Boston University and the University of Maryland in Europe. She held professorial and leadership positions including Chair of the Computer Information Systems Department at Grove City College (GCC) in Pennsylvania. Dr. Houston has presented at numerous national and international meetings and served on more than 200 accreditation teams for both regional and national accrediting bodies. She has been active in numerous professional organizations and was an invited task force member on the Educational Improvement Planning Committee for the Society for Applied Learning Technology.
Dr. Houston currently serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Coleman University in San Diego and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools in Washington DC. She is Chair of the Board of Directors for the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She previously served on the board of the Belgian Chapter of the Association for Communications, Electronics, Intelligence and Information Systems Professionals (AFCEA) and was the first person to be elected twice as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
BA, Grove City College
MEd Business Education, Youngstown State University
EdD Computer Education, Nova University
Jason T. Konesco is the former President & CEO of Harrison College-a 111-year-old institution of higher learning that offers more than 30 degree programs in ve schools of study. As President & CEO, Director Konesco lead the college’s more than 700 employees and oversaw its 12 campuses, online division and culinary division (The Chef’s Academy).
Director Konesco joined Harrison College in 1999 as Director of Admissions. He subsequently was promoted to Assistant Executive Director, Corporate Director of Career Services and Business Development, Vice President of Finance and Business Development, and Senior Vice President of Operations for Harrison College.
He has co-chaired the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) professional development committee and has presented at the APSCU Leadership Institute for four years. He is a board member of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, serves on the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation Board of Directors (IndyGo), serves on the board of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, and is a past board member of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
Prior to Harrison, Director Konesco worked for Brightpoint, Inc., in Indianapolis and Philip Morris U.S.A. in Minneapolis. At Brightpoint, he was responsible for training, finance, marketing, forecasting, contract negotiations and developing IT interfaces. He successfully landed the company’s largest customer to date, which resulted in an increase in North American distribution of 90 percent and added $50 million in yearly revenue. At Philip Morris, he managed a sales territory, where he grew all contracted accounts, and worked in marketing, where he managed contracts, promotions and pricing strategies.
BBA Marketing, University of Notre Dame
MBA Finance, Butler University
As founder and president of the University of Advancing Technology, Dr. Dominic Pistillo has dedicated his career to furthering his educational mission. Director Pistillo is an entrepreneur and an expert in forging education, industry and employer alliances as well as an expert in many technical fields. He conceived of the University of Advancing Technology, and is also the founder of the Leonardo da Vinci Society for the Study of Thinking. Director Pistillo studied at several colleges and universities throughout the world, including Hartford, West Germany, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, majoring in Computer Graphics Programming and minoring in Business.
After eight years of service in the U.S. Air Force and seven years as a Division Manager for Litton Industries, Director Pistillo founded and managed several successful companies. In 1983, he founded and was President of CAD Southwest Corporation, a computer aided design and engineering consulting firm, and CADShare, a computer aided design service bureau. He also founded and was Director of Research and Development for Megasystems, a high-end computer hardware manufacturer. In 1991 and 1992, he was Inc. Magazine's Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist.
