Skip to content
Search:

COVID-19

Locations

Contact Us

IT Help

GIVEPORTALAPPLY
Walsh – Graduate & Undergraduate Business Degrees
Walsh - Graduate & Undergraduate Business DegreesWalsh - Graduate & Undergraduate Business Degrees
  • Admissions
    • Walsh Undergraduate Degree Programs
      • Bachelor of Accountancy
      • Bachelor of Business Administration – General Business
      • Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
      • Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management
      • Bachelor of Business Administration in Management
      • Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
      • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
      • Bachelor of Science in Applied Management
    • Walsh Graduate Degree Programs
      • Master of Business Administration
      • Master of Science in Accountancy
      • Master of Science in Finance
      • Master of Science in Information Technology
      • Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership
      • Master of Science in Data Analytics
      • Master of Science in Management
      • Master of Science in Marketing
      • Master of Science in Taxation
      • Cyber Master of Business Administration
      • Master’s Degree | Business of Engineering | Walsh Kettering Tech MBA
      • INSOFE International Tech MBA with Concentration in Data Science
      • Doctor of Business Administration
    • Business Certificate Programs
      • Cybersecurity Certificate
      • Data Analytics Certificate
      • Global Project and Program Management Certificate
      • Human Resources Management Certificate
      • Strategic Business Communication Certificate
    • Admissions Information
      • Apply Now
      • Schedule An Appointment
      • Request Info
      • Transfer
      • International Students
      • Refer a Friend
      • Financial Aid
      • Scholarships
      • Admissions Events
  • Departments
    • Department of Accounting
    • Department of Business Communications
    • Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences
    • Department of Finance
    • Department of Management
    • Department of Marketing
    • Department of Tax
  • Student Services
  • Alumni & Giving
  • Career Services
    • Professional Development
  • About Us
  • Admissions
    • Walsh Undergraduate Degree Programs
      • Bachelor of Accountancy
      • Bachelor of Business Administration – General Business
      • Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
      • Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management
      • Bachelor of Business Administration in Management
      • Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
      • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
      • Bachelor of Science in Applied Management
    • Walsh Graduate Degree Programs
      • Master of Business Administration
      • Master of Science in Accountancy
      • Master of Science in Finance
      • Master of Science in Information Technology
      • Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership
      • Master of Science in Data Analytics
      • Master of Science in Management
      • Master of Science in Marketing
      • Master of Science in Taxation
      • Cyber Master of Business Administration
      • Master’s Degree | Business of Engineering | Walsh Kettering Tech MBA
      • INSOFE International Tech MBA with Concentration in Data Science
      • Doctor of Business Administration
    • Business Certificate Programs
      • Cybersecurity Certificate
      • Data Analytics Certificate
      • Global Project and Program Management Certificate
      • Human Resources Management Certificate
      • Strategic Business Communication Certificate
    • Admissions Information
      • Apply Now
      • Schedule An Appointment
      • Request Info
      • Transfer
      • International Students
      • Refer a Friend
      • Financial Aid
      • Scholarships
      • Admissions Events
  • Departments
    • Department of Accounting
    • Department of Business Communications
    • Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences
    • Department of Finance
    • Department of Management
    • Department of Marketing
    • Department of Tax
  • Student Services
  • Alumni & Giving
  • Career Services
    • Professional Development
  • About Us
Mar282022
Alumni

Problem Solver: Bob Waun, BBA, MSF

When Bob Waun (’90 BBA and ’92 MSF) was in search of a new focus for his real estate development work, he was challenged and motivated by the work that billionaire businessman and mortgage magnate Dan Gilbert was doing in relation to revitalizing Detroit.

After serving from 1993-2002 on the Birmingham downtown development board, he saw parallels — and possibilities — in downtown Pontiac.

“I hoped I could do that,” he says.

And he did. Long struggling since its heyday as an automotive industry powerhouse, Pontiac was ripe for renewal. Drawing on his unique blend of finance, real estate and community activism, and with the underpinnings of his Walsh education, Waun led an effort to revive the city as a principal in Pike Street Properties, the Indian Hill Company and a new enterprise called Dirt Realty, LLC. The latter is a specialty real estate brokerage with projects in Michigan, Miami, Chicago and Costa Rica. A Maine location just went on hold because of COVID.

“I know the city of Pontiac and the potential it has for investment,” says Waun, who also lives in Pontiac again. “For the last eight years, that has been my project.”

After attending another university, Waun moved to Royal Oak, got a job in the mortgage and savings and loan industries, and “made so much money that I told my mother I wasn’t going back to school.” Mom had the last word, so Waun resumed his studies by enrolling at Walsh.

After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1990, Waun started a career that took him to firms such as Wells Fargo and Americor Mortgage. He has played a major part in completing financing for more than $700 million in real estate projects, with a focus on second home and condo financing, and credits Walsh with helping him succeed.

“Accounting is the language of business,” he says. “If you can understand accounting in business, you are miles ahead of people with simple MBAs.”

When the Great Recession hit in 2008, Waun had to retool his career.

“One of the many valuable things I learned at Walsh was creativity,” Waun says. “Finance is really all about problem solving.”

That dovetails nicely with his company’s commitment to “problem-solving through place.”

“We look at broken properties that can solve large societal issues by creating better places that can fix those issues,” Waun says.

Pontiac was fertile ground to put those problem-solving skills to the test. Waun and his partners tore down more than 1,000 blighted structures and acquired and redeveloped dozens of others. He also is on the board of New Detroit, which is devoted to creating racial equity along economic and cultural lines.

Waun works closely with other Walsh graduates. He also frequently finds himself collaborating with peers who hold degrees from places such as Harvard and The Wharton School.

“If they only knew I was a college dropout and then went to night school,” Waun says. “But the name Walsh is a really sophisticated school name. You start looking at the Walsh alumni and you find CEO of this and CFO of that, because of the practical, real-world education Walsh provides.”

APPLY NOW     LEARN MORE | MSF

Related

Category: AlumniBy Lee A. DeanMarch 28, 2022
Share this post
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook TweetShare on Twitter Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:Always a Teacher – and Student: Tim Constant, MSFNextNext post:Dreaming the Future

Related Posts

Always a Teacher – and Student: Tim Constant, MSF
March 28, 2022
Better Citizens, Better Community Members
February 14, 2022
Full-Court Press: Domenic Policicchio III, BBA-MGT ’18
February 14, 2022

STUDENT PORTAL
  • FUTURE STUDENTS
    • Bachelor’s Programs
    • Master’s Programs
    • Transfer Students
    • Explore Walsh
    • International Students
    • Veteran Services
  • ALUMNI AND FRIENDS
    • Alumni Events
    • Alumni Association
    • Giving
    • Order a Transcript
    • Tax Research Portal
  • CURRENT STUDENTS
    • Academic Calendar
    • Academic Advising
    • Course Catalog
    • Finance Lab
    • Library
    • Order a Transcript
    • Records and Registration
    • Student Handbook
    • Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
    • Student Life
    • Testing Center
    • Tutoring Services
    • Tax Research Center
  • CONSUMER INFORMATION
  • CAREER SERVICES
    • Hire Walsh Graduates
    • Professional Development
  • GIVING
    • President’s Club
    • Special Events
  • FINANCIAL AID
    • Scholarships
    • Tuition and Fees
  • BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS
    • Accountancy
    • Applied Management
    • Finance
    • General Business
    • Human Resource Management
    • Information Technology
    • Management
    • Marketing
  • FACULTY RESOURCES
  • FASTTRACK
  • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
  • MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMS
    • Accountancy
    • Cyber Master of Business Administration
    • Data Analytics
    • Finance
    • Information Technology
    • Information Technology Leadership
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • MBA
    • Tech MBA
    • Taxation
  • DUAL DEGREES
    • MBA/MAC
    • MBA/MSF
    • MBA/MSM
    • MBA/MSMKT
    • MBA/MSITL
  • CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
  • DOCTORAL DEGREES
  • FUTURE STUDENTS
    • Bachelor’s Programs
    • Master’s Programs
    • Transfer Students
    • Explore Walsh
    • International Students
    • Veteran Services
  • ALUMNI AND FRIENDS
    • Alumni Events
    • Alumni Association
    • Giving
    • Order a Transcript
    • Tax Research Portal
  • CURRENT STUDENTS
    • Academic Calendar
    • Academic Advising
    • Course Catalog
    • Finance Lab
    • Library
    • Order a Transcript
    • Records and Registration
    • Student Handbook
    • Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
    • Student Life
    • Testing Center
    • Tutoring Services
    • Tax Research Center
  • CONSUMER INFORMATION
  • CAREER SERVICES
    • Hire Walsh Graduates
    • Professional Development
  • GIVING
    • President’s Club
    • Special Events
  • FINANCIAL AID
    • Scholarships
    • Tuition and Fees
  • BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS
    • Accountancy
    • Applied Management
    • Finance
    • General Business
    • Human Resource Management
    • Information Technology
    • Management
    • Marketing
  • FACULTY RESOURCES
  • FASTTRACK
  • PROFRESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
  • MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMS
    • Accountancy
    • Cyber Master of Business Administration
    • Data Analytics
    • Finance
    • Information Technology
    • Information Technology Leadership
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Master of Business Administration | MBA
    • Tech MBA
    • Taxation
  • DUAL DEGREES
    • MBA/MAC
    • MBA/MSF
    • MBA/MSM
    • MBA/MSMKT
    • MBA/MSITL
  • CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
  • DOCTORAL DEGREES



Walsh is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission ( www.hlcommission.org; phone: 312-263-0456). Specific degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Program (ACBSP, www.acbsp.org).

Administrative Offices are located at 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083. Additional locations in Michigan: Clinton Township and Port Huron.


© 2022 Walsh. All Rights Reserved. View Walsh Privacy Policy, Legal Notices, Terms of Use.
Walsh is not affiliated with Walsh University in Ohio.

We use cookies on our site to provide you with a better online experience. If you do not want to receive cookies, you can change your cookie settings. Please visit our Privacy Policy for more information. By using the site or clicking on Agree, we assume you agree to this and our Terms of Use. Accept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT