William Provaznik

Dr. Bill Provaznik is the Executive Director of IDEA Central at Central Washington University, Ellensburg, and a professor of entrepreneurship and strategic management at the CWU College of Business. He previously served as Chair of the Department of Management.

After earning a BA in Mathematics in 1994, Bill worked for the U.S. State Department, facilitating the relocation of political refugees. He then served as a project specialist for the South Korean Consulate in Vietnam and as a marketing analyst for McCann Erickson.

Recognizing the growth in East Asian trade, Bill returned to the U.S. to establish an import business and later became president of Steril Manufacturing. During his tenure, he transitioned the company into an assembly and distribution firm that thrived even during a severe recession. He also completed an MBA with a specialization in finance and international trade.

Bill has consulted for organizations including Viet-Com Bank, Sanofi Pharma, McCann Erickson, the CDC, and DARPA. His research focuses on regional competitive strategies and economic development, with numerous conference presentations and publications.

Since joining Central Washington University in 2008, Bill has enjoyed working with students, entrepreneurs, and communities in Ellensburg to build competitive and innovative enterprises. He completed his Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Nebraska in 2011