Dean of Business and Workforce Development

Dr. Christopher Pelchat serves as the Dean of Business and Workforce Development at Spokane Falls Community College, where he oversees a diverse portfolio of programs including Business Administration, Management, and Workforce Development. With over 25 years of leadership experience in higher education and the nonprofit sector, Dr. Pelchat is committed to expanding access to education and career advancement for all students, particularly those facing socioeconomic barriers.

He has led initiatives focused on removing structural obstacles to student success, including the development of flexible-entry programs that align with regional workforce demands. Dr. Pelchat actively cultivates partnerships with local employers and community organizations to ensure SFCC programs remain responsive to the evolving needs of the labor market and provide students with meaningful pathways to upward mobility.

Prior to joining SFCC, he held executive and faculty positions at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Stanford University, North Idaho College, and Ithaca College. Dr. Pelchat earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Idaho and holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Eastern Washington University. He also remains active in civic leadership, serving on multiple nonprofit boards in the region.

As a proud SFCC graduate, Gigi has also earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Eastern Washington University and a master’s in communication studies with a focus in interpersonal communication from University of Texas Austin. Gigi is happy to serve as the Curriculum Advisor and point of contact for students enrolled in programs within the Business Pathway.

Jamie Southwell is excited to be the pathway specialist who works with students earning their business degrees. Jamie Southwell joined Spokane Falls Community College as a student in 2020 and earned his Associates in business management shortly after. After graduation, Jamie expanded his passion for the bigfoot community by joining the team himself as the business pathway specialist. Jamie’s firsthand knowledge of the program helps students understand the business pathway, and Jamie’s passion for ensuring each student feels warm and welcomed by the community shines light on the inclusion of SFCC. He enjoys hiking, listening to music, and exploring new foods on his free time.

Greetings and welcome to SFCC’s Business Management! As an instructor here, I am energized by exploring management, leadership, and business topics with students. My teaching style is practical and interactive, informed by a decade of practical experience working in non-profits and business settings. I own my own managerial consulting business, Strengths Consulting, I am an executive coach with Gonzaga University’s Coaching Bureau, and I bring an academic foundation (which started at a Community College!) with a Master of Business Administration degree from Gonzaga University. Let’s connect to explore your academic journey in business at SFCC.

Brent Booth joined Spokane Falls Community college in 2007. He teaches a variety of courses in the Business Management department. He also serves as a student faculty advisor. Prior to joining SFCC, he gained multiple years of business experience working for a variety of companies ranging from small businesses to corporations. Brent holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, a master’s degree from The University of Montana, and a Ph.D. from Northcentral University. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf.

Assistant to the Dean of Professional Studies, Library, and Workforce Education

My name is Ken Commers, and I am a FT Business Management faculty at Spokane Falls Community College since 2010. My main areas are developing and teaching Business Math classes, along with on-ground and online for Basic Finance, and the primary on-ground instructor for Intro to Business.

I was a 5th generation western Montanan, but as my dad says, “it’s the prettiest place a person can go to starve.” So, when the US Army came calling my senior year, I was all in. After completing my active-duty years, I returned to Montana. There I attended college at the U of MT in Missoula (Go Griz!) while spending another 4 years in the MT National Guard.

Since then, I’ve taught Jr Hi and HS business classes, coached football, worked at Intel, was a college planning consultant, and finally found my niche in adult education at the Muckleshoot Tribal College in western WA. After four years there I went on to Clover Park Technical College as a new program developer and helped establish their first Teaching and Learning Center. Ultimately, I had the opportunity to move to Spokane in 2005 to manage the Customized Jobs Skills Training program for the Community Colleges of Spokane before I fully realized my true passion will always be teaching and mentoring adults.

Then in 2019 I got the big promotion… becoming “Papa” to my amazing granddaughter! Of course, that is icing on the cake, but teaching, working with students, and changing lives, will always be my passion. I hope you too find your passion, and if I can help you in that journey, I would be truly blessed.

My name is Jackie Franklin and I have been teaching business for over 20 years.

I was a student at Spokane Falls Community College, earned a BA in accounting from Gonzaga University, and an MBA from Eastern Washington University. In my career, I have worked in public accounting, and private accounting, and owned a successful consulting company. Shortly after earning my CPA, I started teaching at SFCC as an adjunct (part-time) instructor and fell in love with teaching.

I love the Pacific Northwest. In my spare time you find me on a kayak or a hiking trail.

Heidi Moser is the BAS Management Program Lead and Instructor.  

Heidi is an accomplished executive leader with more than 15 years of hands-on experience managing large business operations, strategy execution, and organizational performance. In addition, she serves as a member of the YMCA Corporate Board.  

Throughout her career she has actively worked to develop individuals and teams that would contribute to the success of their organization. She recognizes the necessity of well-prepared individuals in the workforce.

A community college graduate herself; she very much values the role and mission of the community college and is excited to make a difference in the lives of students and prepare them to make a difference in the lives of the customers they will serve. Heidi completed her AAS and BS in Respiratory Therapy and her MBA with a focus on healthcare administration.

Heidi and her husband have lived in the Northwest for almost 30 years, raising their children and enjoying the beautiful outdoors