President of Advance Beauty College Tam Nguyen ’05, a Cal State Fullerton College of Business and Economics MBA grad and Orange County business leader, will become the new director of the CSUF Center for Family Business on July 1. For more than a decade, he has been involved in the center in teaching, speaking and outreach capacities. 

Nguyen taught the MGMT. 335: Family Business Dynamics course from 2016-2020. He also led a study abroad program to Vietnam with a family business and entrepreneurship focus in 2019. A recipient of the prestigious CSUF Vision & Visionaries award, Nguyen has also served on the CSUF Philanthropic Board as member and chair. 

Over the years, Nguyen has earned broad recognition throughout Orange County for his commitment to education, workforce development, entrepreneurship and community engagement. His active involvement with civic, business and nonprofit organizations has made him a strong advocate for family-owned businesses and the communities they serve. 

“Tam Nguyen represents the entrepreneurial spirit, long-term perspective and community commitment that are hallmarks of successful family enterprises,” said Sri Sundaram, dean of the College of Business and Economics. “His deep connection to the family business community, combined with his passion for education and leadership development, make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the Center for Family Business into its next chapter.” 

The Impact of Outgoing Family Business Leader Tim Schultz  

Nguyen succeeds Tim Schultz, who has served as director of the center for the past three years. During his tenure, Schultz strengthened the center’s educational programming, expanded engagement with family business leaders throughout the region, and enhanced the center’s role as a trusted resource for family-owned businesses navigating leadership transitions, growth, governance and family dynamics. Schultz revived the Family-Owned Business Hall of Fame event in 2024, providing peer-nominated recognition for outstanding family business leaders. 

“Tim has made a significant impact on the Center and the family business community during his time as director,” Sundaram said. “His leadership helped elevate the visibility and value of the family business program throughout Orange County and beyond and I am grateful for his leadership.” 

Looking Ahead to Tam Nguyen’s Directorship  

Schultz looks forward to the impact that his successor will bring to the CSUF family business program. “Tam has been a great supporter of the center during my tenure, and I look forward to supporting him as he leads the center to its next stage of growth and excellence,” said Schultz.  

As director, Nguyen will oversee the center’s support of family businesses through educational workshops, peer learning opportunities, research initiatives and community engagement. This will solidify the center’s status as a hub for business-owning families seeking guidance on succession planning, governance, leadership development, and sustaining family legacy across generations. 

“Family businesses are foundational to our economy and communities,” said Nguyen. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation that has been established and continuing to create meaningful opportunities for family business leaders to learn, connect and thrive together.” 

About the Center for Family Business  

The CSUF Center for Family Business is one of the leading university-based family business centers in the region, bringing together family business leaders, trusted advisors, students and community stakeholders to support the long-term success of family enterprises since its founding in 1995. The recent report on family-owned enterprises in the city of Fullerton is an example of the center’s thought leadership. Through workshops, affinity groups, conferences and leadership development programs, the center helps family enterprises successfully navigate both business and family dynamics across generations. 

For more on family business education and networking at Cal State Fullerton, read more of our articles on family business.