Todd A. Finkle, Ph.D. is the Pigott Professor of Entrepreneurship at Gonzaga University. He has taught for 34 years at 4 different universities, publishing more than 270 articles, books, presentations, and grants. Dr. Finkle is an expert on Warren Buffett...
Ph.D., Business Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.B.A., University of Wisconsin at Madison
B.S., Life Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
BENT 490: Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
BENT 491: Creating New Ventures
BUSN 491: Startup Accelerator
BENT 492: Technology Entrepreneurship
BUSN 494: Small Business Consulting
Todd A. Finkle, Ph.D. is the Pigott Professor of Entrepreneurship at Gonzaga University. He has taught for 34 years at 4 different universities, publishing more than 270 articles, books, presentations, and grants. Dr. Finkle is an expert on Warren Buffett and Entrepreneurship.
Dr. Finkle wrote a National Award-Winning book on Warren Buffet titled Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur published by Columbia University Press and translated into 13 languages. The book focuses on Buffett’s roots as an entrepreneur and investor. It took 14 years of work to finish this. Nine years off and on and five years full-time. The book has been nominated for several awards:
Dr. Finkle has also written a book titled Lessons Learned from Leading Entrepreneurs: Case Studies in Business and Entrepreneurship, which focuses on the life of several famous entrepreneurs: Steve Jobs of Apple; Larry Page and Sergey Brin of Google; Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway, Wayne Huizenga of Waste Management Inc., Blockbuster, and AutoNation, and other entrepreneurs.
Todd created a personal relationship with Warren Buffett that has allowed him to bring six cohorts of students to visit him in Omaha, Nebraska. Like Buffett, Todd has a passion for investments and entrepreneurship, having invested for the past 40 years and founded 5 for-profit companies and co-founded a non-profit. The non-profit went on to win a national award.
Dr. Finkle founded the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program, which is open to all university students, in 2011. He oversees the innovative experiential program which has a national advisory board of 70 professionals and entrepreneurs. The board plays a key role in the success of the program.
Todd earned an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, which was ranked 17th best in the country at that time. To finance his way through school, he founded an entertainment company where he worked full-time while going to school full-time. Todd then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship with Minors in Marketing, International Business and Organizational Behavior.
Todd has worked with a wide variety of entities including countries and universities from all over the world. Lately he has worked with organizations in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, China and South Korea. Todd has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Fortune, Business Insider, Associated Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Omaha World Herald, Entrepreneur, and several podcasts from all over the world.
Todd loves teaching and mentoring students so they can achieve personal and professional success. He takes pride in building positive, life-long relationships with his students.
“SELECTED HONORS"
The Omaha Dialogue Sino-US Investors Conference (2024, May). Presented, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Marriott Hotel on Saturday after the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting. Omaha, NE.
Genius of Warren Buffett (2024, May). Presented, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” at The Gabelli Funds, LLC, Omaha Research Conference at the Hilton Hotel in conjunction with the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting. Omaha, NE.
Podcast interview with Marc Kramer host of The Best Business Minds (February 2024) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Philadelphia, PA. It has listeners in 68 countries and has won 5 awards.
Presentation to the Value Investing Academy Conference (January 2024) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Singapore, Singapore.
Podcast interview with James Early (December 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Washington DC.
Podcast interview with Meghna Bajoria host of “Millenium Mams: Empowering Women through Financial Literacy” (December 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Washington DC.
Podcast interview with Lauren Templeton (Great niece of Sir John Templeton) host of Investing the Templeton Way (December 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Lookout Mountain, TN.
Presentation (November 2023) to Dean’s Executive Leadership Class at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington.
Presentation to the Certified Financial Planners Association (CFP) (November 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Puget Sound, WA.
Presentation to the Indian Management Institute School of Business (November 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Presentation (October 2023) to Whitworth University School of Business on “Keys to Success in Your Career and Life.” Spokane, Washington.
Podcast interview with Santosh Sirur host of The Sound of Money Podcast (October 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Hong Kong, Hong Kong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2EVZOHsWHM
Podcast interview with host Kyle Grieve of The Millennial Investing Podcast (October 2023). “Warren Buffett: An Entrepreneurial Mastermind’s Story,” Top 1% Podcast with 10+ million downloads since inception. Conversations with the world’s best investors, entrepreneurs, authors, and thinkers and explore their ideas, methods, and stories to help you better invest your time and money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnBmpVlMl70 https://link.chtbl.com/MI298
Presentation to the Chartered Financial Association (CFA) in Spokane (October 2023). Presentation based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Spokane, WA.
Finkle, Todd A. (2023) Presentation to Investwide 2023 Fall Conference based on my book “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Newark, New Jersey.
Podcast interview with Marcel Schwantes of Love in Action Podcast (September 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur.” Ranks globally in the top 2%. https://www.marcelschwantes.com/todd-finkle-personal-insights-on-warren-buffett-ep206/ https://open.spotify.com/show/6PGcM9LBlK1onS0soy0oO4
Presentation to the Certified Financial Planners Association (CFP) in Spokane (September 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Spokane, WA.
Podcast interview with Andrew Brajcich of Gonzaga University (September 2023). Based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur” and experiences at Gonzaga. Spokane, WA. https://g-suite.castos.com/
Presentation to the Lake Union Rotary Club (July 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Seattle, WA.
Podcast interview with Bogumil Baranowski host of Talking Billions (July 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” New York, New York.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talking-billions/episodes/Todd-Finkle--DeepDive-into-His-Book-Warren-Buffett-Investor-and-Entrepreneur-e26i4m5
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/talking-billions-with-bogumil-baranowski-39427/episodes/todd-finkle-deep-dive-into-his-book-warren-buffett-investor-and-entrepreneur-d3b82
Presentation to the Spokane Valley Rotary Club (July 2023). Presentation based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Spokane Valley, WA.
Podcast interview with Robert Powell host of Exceptional Advisor (June 2023) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” New York, New York. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exceptional-advisor-podcast/id1436637266 https://open.spotify.com/show/4fnfJD8xc2AFNajnwx3nuN
Podcast interview with Assel Atalyeva host of Femmes Finance (June 2023). Based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Seoul, South Korea. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5UCQSYmT8E6x0jJGC89VBx
The Omaha Dialogue Sino-US Investors Reception (2023, May 6). Presented, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Marriott Hotel on Saturday after the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting. Omaha, NE. Streamed to 500,000 people.
Genius of Warren Buffett (2023, May 5). Presented, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” at The Gabelli Funds, LLC, Omaha Research Conference at the Hilton Hotel on Friday, May 5 in conjunction with the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting. Omaha, NE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znoODkJHcpw
Genius of Warren Buffett (2023, May 5). Presented, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” at the 20th Investor Value Conference. University of Nebraska-Omaha before the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder’s Meeting. Omaha, NE. https://www.valueinvestorconference.com/
Podcast interview with Sam Hankin of the Avid Reader Sho (May 2023). “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Philadelphia, PA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaoYsrWLgbs
Podcast interview with Stefan Prelog of Read the Bull (May 2023). “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Rubenstein. New York, New York. https://readthebull.com/videos/episode-8-todd-a-finkle Condran, Ed (May 2023). “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Spokesman Review. Spokane, WA. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/may/07/the-gonzaga-professor-breaks-down-buffett-in-his-b/
Podcast interview with Eddie Palmgren and Niklas Savas of Investing by the Books (May 2023), “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Redeye. Stockholm, Sweden. https://www.redeye.se/podcast/investing-by-the-books/900240/investing-by-thebooks44-todd-finkle-warren-buffett-investor-and-entrepreneur https://open.spotify.com/show/06cmbUqsVNkhvZWxXqkpMZ
Previous interviewees include:
Robert Hagstrom (New York Times Bestseller: The Warren Buffett Way).
William N. Thorndike, Jr. (The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their
Radically Rational Blueprint for Success).
Michael Mauboussin (Expectations Investing: Reading Stock Prices for Better Returns).
Podcast interview with Dan Nailen of Gonzaga University. (January 2023). “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur.” Spokane, WA. https://www.gonzaga.edu/newsevents/multimedia/podcasts/gonzaga-chat
Presentation to Ignite Northwest (2023, January 26) based on my book, “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” Spokane, WA. https://www.ignitenorthwest.com/.
Finkle, T.A. & Lamb, R. (2022). Reading Between the Finance Lines like Warren Buffett. 2022 International Academy of Business & Public Administration Disciplines Conference.
Finkle, T.A. (March 2023). Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur. Columbia University Press. 1-272. ISBN: 9780231207126.
Finkle, T.A. (2023). Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur Second Edition. (Working manuscript).
Finkle, T.A. (2012). Lessons Learned from Leading Entrepreneurs: Cases in Business and Entrepreneurship. ISBN: 9780615522777. Finkle & Associates, LLC. Spokane, WA.
Finkle, T.A. (2012). Instructor’s Manual for Lessons Learned from Leading Entrepreneurs: Cases in Business and Entrepreneurship. ISBN: 9781463797157. Finkle & Associates, LLC. Spokane, WA.
Peer- Refereed Journal Publications (58)
Finkle, T.A. (2022). Berkshire Hathaway in 2021. Journal of Business Cases and Applications. 33, 1-17.
Finkle, T.A. (2021). Jobs in the field of entrepreneurship. Journal of Management and Marketing Research. 25, 1-19.
Finkle, T.A. (2020). Is there a need for entrepreneurship faculty in higher education? Research in Higher Education Journal. 38, 1-18.
Finkle, T.A. & Olsen, T. (2019). Entrepreneurship in the digital era: Creating your own online business. Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy (Acceptance rate 14%: Affiliated with USASBE). 2, 2, 1-27.
Finkle, T.A. (2019). Hottest time for entrepreneurship educators. Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship. 29, 2, 59-85.
Finkle, T.A. (2019). Technology entrepreneurship: Creating your own online business. Journal of Technology Research. 8, 1-20.
Finkle, T.A. (2018). Entrepreneurial growth: Growing your online business in the digital era. Journal of Technology Research. 8, 1-20.
Finkle, T.A. (2018). Warren Buffett: Entrepreneur, Investor, and Philanthropist. The Journal of Business Cases and Applications. 19, 1-19.
Finkle, T.A. & Katragadda, M. (2017). An examination of faculty salaries between the fields of strategic management and entrepreneurship, Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, 28, 2, 1-47.
Finkle, T.A. & Katragadda, M. (2017). Opportunities in entrepreneurship education. Global Journal of Entrepreneurship, 1, 1, 64-79.
Finkle, T.A. (2017). Warren E. Buffett. The Journal of Business Cases and Applications, 17, 1-19.
Finkle, T.A. (2016). An examination of job opportunities, candidates, and salaries in the field of entrepreneurship. New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, 19, 1, 39-52.
Finkle, T.A. (2016). A current look at salaries and faculty demand within the field of entrepreneurship. Journal of Applied Management & Entrepreneurship, 21, 2, 45-69.
Finkle, T.A. & Shrader, M. (2015). Creative achievement and intelligence in student entrepreneurs. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 18, 2, 1-17.
Finkle, T.A. & Shrader, M. (2015). Creativity exercises in the field of entrepreneurship. Experiential Entrepreneurship Exercises Journal, 1, 3, 35-41.
Finkle, T.A. (2015). An examination of the job market for entrepreneurship faculty from 1989 to 2014. Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, 26, 3, 55-78.
Finkle, T.A. (2014). Andrew Mason & Groupon, Inc. Journal of the International Academy of Case Studies, 20, 1, 33-43.
Finkle, T.A. & Masters, E. (2014). Do MOOCs pose a threat to higher education? Research in Higher Education Journal, (October), 26, 1-10.
Mallin, M., Ragland, C., & Finkle, T.A. (2014). The proactive behavior of younger salespeople: Antecedents and outcomes. Journal of Marketing Channels, (October) 21, 4, 268-278.
Finkle, T.A. (2013). AdRoll: A case study of entrepreneurial growth. New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, 16, 1, 48-51.
Finkle, T.A. (2013). Job opportunities for faculty in the field of entrepreneurship. Journal of Applied Management & Entrepreneurship, 18, 3, 94-112.
Finkle, T.A. (2013). Trends in the market for entrepreneurship faculty from 1989-2011. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 16, Special Issue, 59-76.
Buller, P.F. & Finkle, T.A. (2013). The Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program: An innovative model of entrepreneurship education. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 16, 113-132.
Finkle, T.A. (2013). Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The Case of H. Wayne Huizenga. Journal of the International Academy of Case Studies, 19, 3, 71-85.
Finkle, T.A., Menzies, T.V., Kuratko, D.F. & Goldsby, M. (2013). An examination of the financial challenges of entrepreneurship centers throughout the world. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 26, 1, 67-85.
Finkle, T.A. & Scoresby, R. (2012). Larry Ellison & Oracle Corporation. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 18, 7, 111-125.
Finkle, T.A., Menzies, T.V., Kuratko, D.F., & Goldsby, M.G. (2012). Financing activities of entrepreneurship centers in the United States. Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, 23, 2, 48-64.
Finkle, T.A. (2012). Corporate Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Silicon Valley: The Case of Google, Inc. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 36, 4, 863-884.
Finkle, T.A. (2012). Trends in the market for entrepreneurship faculty from 1989 to 2010. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 15, 21-40.
Finkle, T.A. & Buller, P.F. (2012). Wisdom from Warren Buffett. Research in Higher Education Journal. 16, 1-10.
Mallin, M. & Finkle, T.A. (2011). Apple Inc.: Product Portfolio Analysis. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 17, 7, 63-74.
Finkle, T.A. (2011). Richard Branson and Virgin, Inc. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 17, 5, 109-121.
Finkle, T.A. & Mallin, M. (2011). Ethical considerations of sales channel selection in the field of entrepreneurship. Journal of Ethics and Entrepreneurship, 1, 1, 27-40.
Finkle, T.A. (2010). Warren E. Buffett & Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 16, 5, 61-88.
Finkle, T.A. & Mallin, M. (2010). Steve Jobs and Apple, Inc. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 16, 7, 31-40.
Thomas, A., Finkle, T.A., & Wilkinson, T. (2010). Timko export management company: The dynamics of international entrepreneurship. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 16, 1, 57-71.
Finkle, T.A. (2010). Lessons Learned from the “Oracle of Omaha” Warren Buffett. Journal of Instructional Pedagogies, 2, March 1-10.
Finkle, T.A. (2010). Entrepreneurship education trends. Research in Business & Economics Journal, February 1, 35-53.
Finkle, T.A., Soper, J.C., Fox, D., Reece, J., & Messing, J. (2009). Constructing an innovative model of entrepreneurship education through regional collaboration. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 12, 43-68.
Stetz, P., Finkle, T.A., & O’Neil, L. (2008). A-1 lanes & the currency crisis of the East Asian tigers. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 32, 2, 369-384.
Finkle, T.A. (2007). Trends in the market for entrepreneurship faculty from 1989-2005. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 10, 1-25.
Finkle, T.A., Stetz, P., & Mallin, M. (2007). Perceptions of tenure requirements & research records of entrepreneurship faculty earning tenure: 1964-2002. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 10, 101-125.
Mallin, M. & Finkle, T.A. (2007). Social entrepreneurship & direct marketing. Direct Marketing: An International Journal, 1, 2, 68-77.
Finkle, T.A., Kuratko, D.F., & Goldsby, M. (2006). An examination of entrepreneurship centers in the United States: A national survey. 50th Anniversary Special Issue of the Journal of Small Business Management, 44, 2, 184-206.
Finkle, T.A., Blose, L., & Lamb, R. (2005). Insider trading around new drug approvals. Journal of Private Enterprise, 21, 1, 75-99.
Finkle, T.A. (2002). The Crowne Inn: The case of a family business under turmoil. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 8, 1, 51-64.
Finkle, T.A. & Lamb, R. (2002). A comparative analysis of the performance of emerging versus nonemerging industry initial public offerings. New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, 5, 1, 27-38.
Finkle, T.A. & Deeds, D. (2001). Trends in the market for entrepreneurship faculty during the period 1989-1998. Journal of Business Venturing, 16, 6, 613-630. (This article was the 6th most requested entrepreneurship article in 2001)
Finkle, T.A., Figler, R.A., & Dunning, K.A. (2001). West Point Market: Managing a challenge from the EEOC. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 25, 3, 71-88.
Finkle, T.A., Krovi, R., Kahai, P., Dunning, K., & Vijayaraman, B.S. (2000). Impact of E-Commerce on entrepreneurs & small businesses: Opportunities, changes, & strategies. Entrepreneurial Executive, 5, 57-82.
Finkle, T.A. & French, D.W. (2000). An examination of initial public offerings in the “high flying” internet industry. Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship, 12, 1, 19-30.
Finkle, T.A. (1998). The relationship between boards of directors and initial public offerings in the biotechnology industry. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 22, 3, 5-29.
Finkle, T.A. (1998). Beano’s ice cream shop. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 23, 1, 87-100.
Finkle, T.A. & French, D. (1998). The performance of initial public offerings in the biotechnology industry. Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship, 10, 2, 51-59.
Finkle, T.A. & Greenwood, P. (1996). Should I buy the Jerry's famous frozen desserts chain? Small Business Forum, 14, 1, 6-17.
Klose, A. & Finkle, T.A. (1995). Service quality & the congruence of employee perceptions & customer expectations: The case of an electric utility. Psychology & Marketing, 12, 7, 637-646.
Finkle, T.A. (1995). Lessons learned from blockbuster entertainment. NBDC Report, June 1-4.
Finkle, T.A., Marquardt, R., & Klose, A. (1993). Activity of small businesses in Nebraska. Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship, 5, 2, 111-122.
