“My Story” started years ago in northern Kentucky (just across the river from CINCINNATI). I was born into a “Christian home” with a loving mother and father and two brothers!

Upon graduation from high school, I attended the UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, receiving my Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1980.  I was indeed blessed to have met my wife, Emily, there and we married in 1981.

My first job was with IBM in LOUISVILLE, KY where I sold various products and services for over 6 years. From there, I moved into various sales management and marketing management positions with IBM in INDIANAPOLIS, IN and CHICAGO, IL.

Leaving IBM in 1993 to pursue smaller, growth-oriented technology-based opportunities, I managed numerous technology and information services businesses in Chicago, including ENTEX INFORMATION SERVICES, LAN SYSTEMS, and WINSTAR COMMUNICATIONS.  I gained invaluable experience by “moving”, managing, and being a part of much smaller organizations.

After the “dotcom churn, burn and bust” of early 2000, I decided (to borrow from Fleetwood Mac) “to go my own way!”  I was trained as a professional coach by CREEKSIDE COACHING GROUP, NASHVILLE, TN, and founded EFFECTIVE DIRECTIONS, INC. assisting executives, particularly “Baby Boomers” in transition.  This provided me with great insight into the “Coaching World” and I was honored to be in many lives at a deeper, even more personal level.  Coaching taught me “the power of the question” and the “importance of curiosity!”

I have complemented my initial training with completion of courses from THE COACHES TRAINING INSTITUTE (CTI) including Fundamentals of Co-Active Coaching, Fulfillment, Balance, Process and Coaching in the Bones.

Another aspect of my life lead me to the “power of groups” and how lives can be changed through such…in my case, I attended some intensive group coaching and really began to “see and experience” life in ways I had never encountered before in my life!  As a result, one of my foundational tenets is that the best, most effective and transformational platform for change, and most significantly, for results is via GROUPS!!!

As a VISTAGE Chair (left), I am privileged to lead, coach, support and learn from Small Business Owners. We meet monthly as a group and individually with each member for “one-on-one” coaching.

By the way, earlier I mentioned my marriage to Emily (below to my right and your left)…by God’s grace, we have been married almost 30 years.  She tremendously enjoys her teaching position at NAPERVILLE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL, teaching Spanish I & II.  Both of our sons are currently in college at the UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS at URBANA -CHAMPAIGN.

Emily and I together with friends on Chicago "dinnerboat!"

Clay & Grant off to college!

PERSONAL FOUNDATIONS

• I want to be part of “something greater” than “just a company.”
• I want to give what I’ve “got” and what I’ve received!
• I want to directly impact people’s lives and their businesses.
• I was transformed by groups, be it teams at work or intensive personal coaching groups.
• Life is lived in the present, not the past or the future.