Mike Merenda assumed the Interim Deanship of the Whittemore School in January 1999. Prior to that appointment, Mike taught, consulted, and conducted research in Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, and Small Business Management. He has authored numerous articles and cases and his most recent publications have been on sustaining competitive advantage: the case of problem solving suppliers. He is a founding member of the New Hampshire Industries Research Group at the Whittemore School. In conjunction with NHIG, he has directed and participated in several research projects including: IRC (Industrial Research Center) Marketing Study; Raytheon’s Vertical Partnering with SME’s via electronic commerce; and Bryant College/UNH DARPA Government Lab Technology Transfer to SMEs via the Internet. His current research focus is on the competitive advantage of SMEs, especially as it relates to innovation, collaboration and networks.
Mike has been a member of the faculty at the University of new Hampshire since 1977. He has held numerous college administrative positions, including Director of the Executive and Graduate Programs from 1986-1989, and the Whittemore School’s Associate Dean from 1989 to 1991. He is currently Chair of the Department of Management.
Mike is the 1994 recipient of the University’s Excellence in Teaching Award for the Whittemore School of Business and Economics. He is a co-recipient of the P.W. Industries, Inc. award for the paper judged to be the outstanding application of theory at the 1996 Northeast Regional Conference of the Decision Sciences Institute. Dr. Merenda is a recipient of the North American Case Research Association’s Curtis E. Tate Outstanding Casewriter Award.
Mike received his B.S. with Honors and M.B.A. degrees from Northeastern University in 1970 and 1972, respectively; and his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 1978. He is faculty coordinator of the School’s Executive Development Program (EDP) and Module Leader of its BTR’s Ltd. DEP (Developing Executive Potential) program. Recent Executive Development and consulting assignments include: Crown Vantage Company; New England Electric Wire; Secure Care Products, Inc.; HADCO Corporation; American Machinery Company; FASCO Motors; and Manufacturer’s Services, Ltd. He is member of the board and past President of Lamprey Health Care. Mike’s personal interests include coaching youth sports and family activities with his wife, Claire and two sons, Michael and Christopher.