Ross O'Brien, Ph.D.

Director of the Graduate School of Business
Director of the Center of Business as Mission

Dr. Ross O'Brien teaches entrepreneurship, ethics, and other coursework in the College of Business. Upon graduating from Baylor University, Dr. O'Brien felt a call to the mission field, initially earning his MBA from DBU as a way to gain access into unreached countries. Ultimately, however, he developed a keen interest in the business world, working as an account executive for AT&T and later starting and running his own web-development business for seven years. Returning to DBU in 2002, Dr. O'Brien began teaching in the College of Business, launching the Center for Business as Mission in 2013 and the Entrepreneurship program the following year. He received his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington and continues to grow and share his business knowledge through speaking engagements, study trips to the Middle East, and involvement in the Lion's Den of DFW.

Born to missionary parents in Indonesia, Dr. O'Brien has continued traveling the world, living in Tanzania and traveling to Africa, Europe, South and Central America, Asia, and the Middle East. He loves international students and international foods as a result! He and his wife of 33 years, Lisa, live in a historic home in Waxahachie, Texas, and they have two adult sons and a daughter-in-law. Dr. O'Brien loves being outdoors and enjoys triathlons and trail running. He recently earned an Open Water Diver certification.