Western Business School Appoints New Outdoor Industry MBA Director

D. Scott Borden, Ph.D., has been appointed the new director of the Outdoor Industry MBA program. Currently the Sustainable & Resilient Communities Track Coordinator in the Master’s in Environmental Management program, Borden will start this new role on July 1, 2019.

Borden’s experience extends far beyond the classroom. Serving on the board of directors for Keene Advisors, a Benefit Corporation Certified investment bank, he has consulted on mergers and acquisitions for socially driven outdoor companies.

He also has supervised educators at Nature Bridge, the largest nonprofit outdoor environmental education organization for the National Parks, which receives over 40,000 students annually. An avid outdoorsman, Borden is also a senior contributor to The Climbing Zine and has published a children’s book on rock climbing, “Squeak Goes Climbing in Yosemite National Park.”

Borden lives in Gunnison and is an active member of the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee. His partner, Taryn Mead, also lectures in both Western’s School of Business and School of Environment & Sustainability.

“Scott brings great energy, organization and caring to the Director position. I am excited to have him on board and directing the work,” said Kevin Nelson, Ph.D., Associate Dean of the Business School.

As the director of the Outdoor Industry MBA program, Borden will use this real-world experience to prepare students for the real world themselves.