Trond Bergestuen

Dr. Trond Bergestuen brings more than 20 years of global experience in management consulting and marketing leadership across major U.S. and European organizations. He has held strategic and leadership roles with globally recognized brands, including American Express, where he contributed to initiatives focused on marketing strategy, customer engagement, and organizational performance. His corporate experience spans consulting, marketing and sales management, providing him with firsthand insight into how organizations build competitive advantage, develop customer relationships, and lead high-performing teams in complex and dynamic business environments.

Prior to entering academia, Dr. Bergestuen worked closely with senior leaders in sales and marketing organizations, helping translate strategy into execution and measurable business outcomes. He brings this real-world perspective into the classroom, positioning himself as a bridge between academic research and managerial practice. His teaching emphasizes strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and professional readiness, preparing students to apply marketing and management concepts in real organizational contexts. Over the past eight years, he has taught marketing and management courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, helping students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in competitive global markets.

Dr. Bergestuen’s research focuses on supply chain relationships, manufacturers’ representatives, sales, and sales management. His work examines how interorganizational relationships and managerial practices influence performance in business-to-business markets. His research has been published in leading academic journals, including the Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management, Industrial Marketing Management, and the Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, contributing to both scholarly understanding and managerial practice. Dr. Bergestuen is committed to fostering a professional, inclusive, and high-expectation learning environment. Drawing from his leadership experience across multiple countries and cultures, he approaches teaching as a form of professional mentorship, helping students develop sound judgment, professional communication skills, and leadership capabilities. He began his academic training in Norway, earning both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Business Administration from the Norwegian School of Economics. He later earned his Master of Business Administration from Cornell University and his Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of North Texas.