Pictured left to right: Laurie Urich, Holly Atha
With bittersweet emotions, we announce that Laurie Urich will retire from MBA Research and Curriculum Center as the High School of Business Program Director, effective June 27, 2025.
Laurie joined MBA Research in 2016 as Project Manager of Business Engagement and transitioned to Program Director of High School of Business in 2020. She was instrumental in the development of High School of Business sites in Colorado, and her dedication to the program has helped us expand to more states across the country.
Laurie is a product of the Career and Technical Education program, where she was enrolled in the Distributive Education program and was an active member of DECA in Williamsville, NY. After graduating from Buffalo State University, NY, she started her career as a business and marketing teacher at Westmont HS, IL and completed her teaching career at Monarch HS, CO. Laurie started the FBLA chapter at Monarch HS, growing it from nine members her first year to over 100 members by her last year at the school. She had numerous FBLA state officers and FBLA national award winners during her time at Monarch.
Laurie served as the Business and Marketing Program Director for the Colorado secondary and postsecondary programs at the Colorado Community College System in Denver, CO. She served in various positions over the years, which included Colorado DECA and FBLA State Adviser. When she retired from the Colorado Community College System in 2016, she joined MBA Research and Curriculum Center.
On a national level, Laurie served as an MBA Research Board of Trustee, National FBLA-PBL Board Chair, and President of the National Association of Supervisors of Business Education.
Honors include Colorado DECA lifetime member, Colorado Friends of DECA Award, Colorado ACTE Hall of Fame, Colorado Business Teacher of the Year, Colorado Future Business Leaders of America Adviser of the Year, National FBLA Adviser Wall of Fame, Mountain-Plains Business Education Association – Administrator/Supervisor Award, NBEA Distinguished Service Award, and National DECA Hall of Fame.
Laurie currently lives in Arizona with her husband Dan and their two dogs. She is looking forward to retirement by spending time with her family and first grandchild in Colorado, camping, hiking, and playing golf. She plans to continue her volunteer work with Arizona FBLA, DECA, and the Department of Education.
We are grateful for Laurie’s unwavering commitment and contributions to MBA Research and wish her a happy retirement!
Pictured: Janet Brophy
We are pleased to announce that Janet Brophy will step in as the new Program Director of High School of Business. Janet shares an invaluable perspective coming into this role as a High School of Business teacher of 11 years, teaching at Idalia Junior/Senior High School and Haxtun High School in Colorado.
She has already significantly impacted the program as a High School of Business trainer and mentor, helping new teachers successfully bring project-based learning to their schools. Janet has also served on the High School of Business Teacher Advisory Committee as Committee Chair and has presented on High School of Business at several conferences, including MBA Research Conclave.
Janet earned her BA from the University of Wyoming and her MBA from the University of Phoenix. Prior to teaching, Janet worked in human resources and support staff for an education consortium before completing the alternative licensure program. She also taught as an adjunct professor at Morgan Community College for 10 years. Janet was an FBLA Adviser, member of the MBA Research Teacher Advisory Network, and is the current treasurer for Colorado Business and Marketing Educators Association.
We anticipate a seamless transition and eagerly embrace this exciting new chapter for High School of Business.