Happy retirement on speech bubbles

Farewell to Our Retirees

At Michigan Ross, we’re happy to celebrate the faculty and staff in our community who are retiring after many years of service and impactful work. Congratulations to the following individuals:

  • Christie Brown, lecturer of business administration (effective Aug. 28, 2025)
  • Andrea Morrow, lecturer of business communication (effective Sept. 1, 2025)
  • Jim Price, lecturer of entrepreneurial studies (effective Sept. 1, 2025)
  • Sheri Fillip, business analyst, Ross IT (effective Sept. 12, 2025)
  • Cheryl Sobkow, director of support services, Ross IT (effective Oct. 3, 2025)
Christie Brown

Christie Brown

I’ve served on the Ross faculty since July 1998, first as an assistant professor of marketing and then as a lecturer IV. Over the years, my research specialities have included consumer judgment, decision-making, and metacognition. My work has been published in prestigious journals, including the Journal of Consumer Research, Marketing Letters, Management Science, and Marketing Science. I also served on the Journal of Consumer Research editorial board for many years.

One of my proudest achievements at Ross was opening the Michigan Ross Behavioral Lab, which started in an old conference room and evolved to have a custom, dedicated space and staff. I also created and developed the primary research support system for all Multidisciplinary Action Projects to assist students with their original research. 

In retirement, I plan to remain engaged in higher education, particularly as an advocate for students who want to go to college but may not have the financial means.

Jim Price

Jim Price

After launching and exiting a handful of technology startups, I stumbled into teaching mid-career. My time at Ross has proven to be a singular blessing in my life. I feel profound gratitude for my kind, sharp, and collaborative faculty and staff colleagues, and especially for the chance to teach, mentor, and coach at a great educational institution. 

In 1998, I was the only non-U-M-affiliated person invited to serve on the advisory boards for the newly formed Zell Lurie Institute and the Wolverine Venture Fund. Five years later, at the urging of my old friend, Tom Kinnear, I took my first stab at teaching and created a new course, New Venture Creation (ES 615), to teach a single Evening MBA section. Coming up for air 22 years, 2,000+ MBA students, and 100+ MAP teams later, I’ve decided to retire.
In retirement, I will continue to pay it forward by advising startups and serving on boards. But I will also give more attention to nurturing my music (saxophone, flute, guitar, and composing). Importantly, my wife, Sophia Galifianakis, and I look forward to spending more and more time in our happy place, Greece (both Athens and Chania, Crete).

sheri philip

Sheri Fillip

When I began my career at Ross nearly 30 years ago, I never anticipated it would become such a significant part of my life. I started in Faculty Support and, within six months, was recruited by Computing Services, now known as Ross IT.

Over the years, I have held several roles within Ross IT, including managing the student computing labs, serving as an event coordinator, and serving as a business analyst.

Although I have faced many challenges throughout my career, the exceptional faculty and staff have inspired me to stay at Ross. Working alongside such dedicated and talented colleagues has truly been an honor.

As I look forward to retirement and spending more time with my grandchildren, as well as pursuing craft projects, baking, and crocheting, I know I will greatly miss everyone here. I hope we can stay in touch in the years ahead.

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