Associate Professor of Finance, Jason Hightower joined the Fermanian School of Business as an adjunct professor in 2024 and was appointed full-time Associate Professor of Finance in January 2025. He is a seasoned business economist and corporate financial strategist with over two decades of experience in owning, operating, investing in, and advising companies across a wide range of industries.
Austin Helton joined the Fermanian School of Business in 2024, bringing a dynamic and diverse background in B2B marketing, client strategy, and e-commerce distribution. His professional journey includes significant roles in consulting, serving as a Chief Marketing Officer, and acting as Founder and CEO of successful companies that have since been acquired. His broad expertise in strategic leadership and entrepreneurship greatly enriches the academic environment.
Tim Benefiel began his role as an Adjunct Professor in 2023, bringing a wealth of financial expertise to the classroom. His career at Point Loma Nazarene University began in 2015 as an Accounting and Budget Analyst. He was promoted to Senior Accountant in 2018 and further advanced to Associate Vice President for Accounting and Finance in 2021. Before joining the university, Tim gained over two years of experience as an Income Tax Accountant with AMN Healthcare and as an Accountant with Gatto, Pope & Walwick, LLP.
Steve Suhrheinrich joined the Fermanian School of Business (FSB) as an Associate Professor of Management in 2024. A veteran of the United States Navy, he brings to PLNU more than 25 years of leadership experience into the classroom, shaped by his unique journey from naval officer to entrepreneur and now full-time professor of management. Suhrheinrich teaches both undergraduate and graduate management courses, where he mentors students to think courageously, act ethically, and lead strategically, especially in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and disruption.
Laura graduated from PLNU in 2010 with her BSN. She was hired later that year at Sharp Memorial hospital on a surgical progressive care unit. Two years later she transitioned to the surgical intensive care unit where she has been ever since. During her time in the surgical intensive care unit Laura has had the opportunity to care for many complex patients including cardiac surgery, cardiac device patients, neurosurgery, trauma, complicated general surgery, and obstetrical patients.
Professor Hong completed her undergraduate degree in Human Biology at the University of California, San Diego. As a chemist, she worked in various laboratories to research and develop point-of-care medical devices. Motivated by a desire to make a difference in patient care, she transitioned to healthcare, completing the Family Nurse Practitioner program at Georgetown University. Her clinical background includes the cardiac progressive care unit, outpatient internal medicine and pediatrics, and telemedicine as a provider licensed in multiple States.
