Brent D Hales

Biography

Brent D. Hales serves as the Senior Associate Dean and Chief Financial Officer of the University of Minnesota Extension.  He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree in sociology from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Ph.D. in rural sociology from Iowa State University.  Dr. Hales previously served as the Associate Dean for the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality and the Director of the University of Minnesota Crookston, Economic Development Authority University Center.  He also previously served as Interim Chair of the Department of Economic and Workforce Development, as Associate Professor of Economic Development and Workforce Development, as Director of the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurship Education, coordinator of the Masters of Science in Economic Development Program at the University of Southern Mississippi.  He served as Director of the Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Research, and of the Center for Community and Economic at Delta State University.  

Education

Brigham Young University - 1994
Middle Tennessee State University - 1996
Iowa State University - 2000

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

His primary area of research is the adoption innovation-based community and economic development and entrepreneurship.  He is the founder the Southern Entrepreneurship Program, which teaches entrepreneurship skills to high school and community college students, and to displaced workers throughout the U.S.  He is also a past president of the Community Development Society.

Books