10 Questions for Dr. Ed Shenk of Alliant International University, Graduate School of Education

Each Wednesday the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local entrepreneur or businessperson. Readers are welcome to suggest b

Before embarking on a new career with Alliant International University in San Francisco, Dr. Ed Shenk was best known for his 30 years at Napa Valley College, holding positions such as chief student service officer, vice president and key advisor to three presidents.

Shenk, who retired from NVC in 2005, is well known for his community endeavors including positions at the Napa Chamber of Commerce and on various boards. But his work with the Napa County Hispanic Network remains a key passion. “I feel I am really making a difference there,” said Shenk.

Currently president of the network, in 2002 he received the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

These days, Shenk commutes two days a week to Alliant in San Francisco. Always a fan of alternative transportation, he takes the Vallejo ferry and walks from Pier 1 to his office across from Pier 39.

“I love it,” said Shenk, a Southern California native. “I love to be near the water.”

What three people would you most like to have dinner with?

My dad and mentor, Jack Shenk, who passed in 1999, so I can ask a few more questions about his World War II experiences at Normandy and in Patton’s army. Bill Clinton, an extremely intelligent and eclectic individual with many interests and opinions. My grandparents, Alvaro and Lupe Cosio, who both lived into their mid 90s, so I can get more info on their history of coming to the U.S. from Mexico in the early 1900s.

What job would you like to try/not like to try?

I would like to try my hand at architecture as I was in engineering school for two years at San Diego State. I would not want to be a psych tech. I admire the folks who do that difficult work.

How did you get into this business?

I was very active in college in student government and fraternities and enjoyed the educational process. My first job out of college was at Grossmont College as a clerk typist. I enjoyed the opportunity to help people better their lives through community college education and the administrative work to make it happen within limited budgets, and you can say the rest is history as I moved up and to Napa and served in the community college system for 36 years before retiring and joining Alliant to prepare future leaders in the system via graduate education.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

The challenge has always been enrollments and tight budgets, at Napa Valley College and Alliant. For example, in the 1980s our enrollments plummeted and due to the slow growth stance of our county, we were not able to quickly adjust our enrollment projections. The president at the time added marketing to my full plate and I, along with the help of a faculty, classified and administrative marketing committee, was able to reverse the trend and actually exceed the growth we were allowed via state formulas. While at the minimum allowed level, it did stem future cuts in NVC’s budget and potential layoffs. Similarly, at Alliant as the program director of educational leadership and management, I am reaching out for students to enroll in our relatively new doctoral program in higher education with an emphasis in community college administration. It is difficult because the college name is not well known and we have a limited marketing budget.

What’s on your to-do list?

To guide the Napa County Hispanic Network as president and continue to raise funds for the group, improve my golf game (requested by many partners), bocce game, start my administrative book and plan our next trip.

Who do you most admire in the business world?

My dad, Jack Shenk, general manager, Sunshine Biscuits in San Diego, who was an excellent businessman and knew how to market cookies and crackers. Ray Sercu, of Vallerga’s Markets, I admire as a leader and community advocate along with being a good businessman, and Kevin Twohey, my cousin Margaret’s husband, who has done a marvelous job in growing Whiting Nursery in St. Helena.

What is your favorite charity?

The Napa County Hispanic Network.

Name one thing Napa could do to help local business?

I think everyone will benefit if we can pass a sales tax to fix our roads and entryways to the valley and explore alternative transportation such as rail service to the ferry. Additionally, we can also help by providing affordable housing for our workforce, who earn less than $50,000 for a family of four. They cannot afford the expensive condos and new homes, but they are the blue-collar members of the community who get the key jobs agriculture, service and infrastructure jobs done.

What is your favorite gift to give?

I like to give little gifts I bring back from trips we take to places around the world. For example, I returned from Xi’an, China, with small replicas of the Terracotta soldiers. Of course, when in doubt, I give wine. I do like to give gifts.

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

My wife, Sue Dee Shenk, a community leader with Napa Valley Community Housing, Luis Perez de Leon, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley and Hispanic Chamber president, Jess Romero, Romero Tax Services and longtime board member for the Hispanic Network, Diane Brown, founding partner of Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley and current Lt. Governor for Kiwanis, Gary Van Brocklin, Colonial Saddle Shop, a solid businessman who gives a lot to the community, and Anil Patel, Hawthorn Inn & Suites, another good businessman who gives a lot to the community. 

The 11th question for Dr. Ed Shenk.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

“Aside from being Mexican (his maternal grandparents were from Mexico), my absolute greatest relaxing activity is body surfing.”

Shenk, who worked his way through college as a shoe salesman and a janitor, also said “I like to shake famous people’s hands.”

“I have shook the hands of Peter Jennings, the late Senator Allan Cranston, Bill Clinton (twice), Dick Vermeil, Jay Leno, Ryan Seacrest, Thomas Keller and Senator Hillary Clinton — to name a few.

“I’m also addicted to the Olympics,” having attended the games at Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Torino. “I’m making plans to go to Vancouver in 2010.”

Shenk enjoys traveling, having visited Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, Sweden, France, England, Germany, Australia, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Peru, the Galapagos Islands, Egypt and Jordan.

To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com

Napa Valley Register Copyright © 2009