Dr. Tanner spent eight years in marketing and sales with Rockwell International and Xerox Corporation. In 1988, Dr. Tanner earned his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia and joined the faculty at Baylor University, where he serves as the Research Director of the Center for Professional Selling.

An internationally known expert in professional selling and customer relationship strategies who has taught CRM and sales courses to executives and business school students in France, Canada, Australia, Trinidad & Tobago, Colombia, Mexico, and India, Dr. Tanner has authored or co-authored twelve books, including best selling textbooks on sales and business marketing.