Meet the Team
Meet the Team
When you choose to work with VisionPoint, you will be working with people who are experts in their field and who genuinely care about you and your business priorities. We look forward to working with you!
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Carey Bayliff Client Services Manager and Technical Support Carey joined the VisionPoint team in September 2008 as our Client Services & Fulfillment Manager. Her extensive background in inventory, purchasing and warehousing combined with her project management expertise ensures our customers receive seamless service across departments. In her spare time, Carey enjoys traveling, reading and socializing at local concerts and events. |
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Laura Bernstein President & CEO Laura joined VisionPoint in December 2001 and is now leading the company toward becoming one of the most sought-out training vendors of choice. Laura has spent 20 years in the training industry working with both public and private sectors. She is now applying best practices mixed with innovative business processes to assure the experience of working with VisionPoint is unforgettably superb. Laura holds a post-masters certificate in Adult Learning & Organizational Performance from Drake University, an executive M.B.A. from Michigan's Northwood University, a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Saginaw Valley State University and several internationally-recognized training certifications. In her free time, Laura enjoys yoga, playing the piano, reading and spending time with family. |
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Beth Chlupach Sales and Service Assistant Beth has been a member of the VisionPoint team since May 2009 and is our first point-of-contact for most VisionPoint inquiries. Beth attended Des Moines Area Community College where she received her Associate of Arts degree and later attended the University of Iowa where she studied Anthropology and Journalism. In her spare time, Beth enjoys crossword puzzles, National Public Radio, walking her dog and spending time with her husband and daughter. |
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Alice Cue Product Development Specialist - Writer, Director, Producer Alice has been with VisionPoint since 1999 as a key member of the product development team. Alice has written and produced hundreds of projects for custom clients and has directed all VisionPoint programs since 2004, including Peer Today, Boss Tomorrow, The Right Side of the Line, Generations and many others. Alice graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and has a bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with a concentration on Radio and TV Communications. In her free time, Alice enjoys spending time with family, reading and scouring hours of good (and bad) television and movies for ideas and inspiration! |
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Candace Madsen Executive Assistant Candace has been a member of the VisionPoint team since January 2003 and is the assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, responsible for supporting company-wide initiatives, accounting, contract administration and providing support to domestic and international distributors. Candace attended Iowa Central Community College focusing her studies in Psychology. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, going for walks, playing sand volleyball, swimming and spending time with friends and family. |
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Sue Mueller Sales Coach and Training Services Manager Sue joined VisionPoint in November 2002 and as a key member of our business development team, Sue assists with product management, curriculum review, sales education and marketing. Sue is responsible for building and developing our TrainerSELECT™ network and works with our education customers to customize, implement and deploy training. With 20 years of experience in the learning industry, Sue brings leadership and master trainer expertise to both the VisionPoint team and our customers. Sue obtained her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Marquette University, her master's degree in Sociology from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and has several internationally-recognized training certifications in leadership, teamwork and customer service. When she's not working, Sue enjoys spending time outdoors and with her family in Wisconsin. |
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Steven Simpson, Esq. Chief Counsel, GSA Administrator Steven joined the VisionPoint team in January 2008 to provide legal support for the VisionPoint team and our clients. Steven assists with client contracts and manages our Federal Government General Services Administration (GSA) contract. Steven has been working as an attorney in the training industry for over 10 years and brings a focus on practical business terms to keep our contracting process simple and straightforward. In his spare time, Steven enjoys traveling, sports and spending time with family. |
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Michele Soria Business Development Executive Michele joined VisionPoint in February 2010 and works with clients in the state of |
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National Account Executive Lori has worked at VisionPoint since December 2001 and has been in the training and human resources arena for over 15 years. Instrumental in establishing VisionPoint's original Learning Consultant philosophy, Lori has achieved the ultimate respect from her peers and customers alike. Lori now specializes in working with Fortune 1000 companies, particularly in the manufacturing and trade industries. Lori has helped several organizations roll out large training initiatives to meet their ethics, compliance and other mandatory training requirements. Lori attended |
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Tiffan Yamen Marketing Project Manager Tiffan joined VisionPoint in February 2010 and is responsible for increasing the visibility of VisionPoint in the greater learning and development community. With over 18 years of experience in direct marketing strategy and execution, Tiffan was previously Director of Marketing at the former American Media, a leading producer and distributor of video-based training products. Tiffan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (with concentrations in Business Administration, Communications and Spanish) from |
VisionPoint collaborates with the industry's leading thinkers and subject matter experts to design and deliver instructionally-sound and relevant training. We have a network of business partners—attorneys, consultants, training specialists, curriculum designers and more—who collaborate with us to bring you the best possible products and service. Our TrainerSELECT™ Team is a select group of certified master trainers available to deliver high impact training in your organization across the globe. Meet our extended team:
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Ben Alexander Subject Matter Expert - Diversity/Inclusion Ben Alexander, a principal of Alexander Consulting & Training, Inc., has designed and implemented system-wide programs in the areas of human resources management, EEO and managing diversity. He is a nationally known keynote speaker on the topics of cultural diversity, civil rights and issues of social change and structural inequality. Since 2001, the Alexanders have worked closely with VisionPoint to produce several popular training programs on the topic of diversity and respect, including the best-selling M.E.E.T. on Common Ground™, We Need to M.E.E.T.™, M.E.E.T. Zero Tolerance and Generations: M.E.E.T. for Respect in the Workplace. |
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Deb Alexander Subject Matter Expert - Diversity/Inclusion Deb Alexander, a principal of Alexander Consulting & Training, Inc., has designed and conducted numerous system-wide projects for organizations in the areas of EEO and HR program evaluation, managing diversity and organizational change. The Alexanders first partnered with VisionPoint in 2001 to produce the multi award-winning and best-selling video M.E.E.T. on Common Ground™ and have since worked with the team to produce We Need to M.E.E.T.™, M.E.E.T. Zero Tolerance and Generations: M.E.E.T. for Respect in the Workplace. |
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Sally Allen Instructional Designer Sally J. Allen became a VisionPoint Instructional Design consultant in June 2008 and has over 30 years of instructional design and training experience. In recent years, she has worked primarily in e-learning design. Sally has developed and delivered educational and training programs and evaluated curricula for schools and companies throughout the United States. Her experience includes instructional design for government, military, education and corporate clients. She also has several years experience in test item development and test construction. Sally has a BA degree in Social Science from the University of Northern Iowa and a Masters degree in Adult Education (Training and Human Resources Development) from Drake University. Sally works with VisionPoint to create active and engaging e-learning custom solutions. |
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Dan Bialas VisionPoint Master Trainer - TrainerSELECT™ Dan Bialas is good at helping organizations realize their potential. A proprietor of Professional Systems Assurance, Director of the Customer Service Institute and an Instructor at Muskegon Community College in Michigan, Dan's involvement in continuing education, customer service and management keeps him abreast of the latest trends and current topics facing the business world. As a VisionPoint Master Trainer, Dan's strengths lie in training on the topics of Customer Service, Leadership and Teamwork. |
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Dr. Kenneth Blanchard Industry Thought Leader - Leadership Ken Blanchard is the chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies and cofounder of The Center for Faithwalk Leadership. Ken is the author or coauthor of over 30 books, including the giant business best-seller "One Minute Manager." In 2002, Ken Blanchard and VisionPoint teamed up with SeaWorld animal trainers Thad Lacinak and Chuck Thompkins to create the best-selling training program, Whale Done!™ based on their best-selling book, Whale Done!™. |
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Maureen Caughran Instructional Designer Maureen Caughran, president of Caughran Associates, LLC, is a nationally recognized management trainer, course developer and consultant with over 20 years experience working with groups at all levels in both private and public sector organizations. She has over five years experience doing diversity workshops using the M.E.E.T. video series. Maureen has partnered with VisionPoint to write materials for the new Generations: M.E.E.T. for Respect in the Workplace video program. |
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Jeff Cue Videographer, Post Production Specialist Jeff is an award-winning Director of Photography who has lensed the majority of the VisionPoint portfolio. He is VisionPoint’s “go-to” person for video editing, DVD authoring and web video creation. Jeff’s years of experience in video/audio/film production, post production and computer-created media mean VisionPoint programs have the highest production value and quality possible. |
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Brenda DesCamps VisionPoint Master Trainer - TrainerSELECT™ Brenda Descamps currently serves as the Program Developer of the Training Resource Group at Ozark Technical College, Missouri, where she is responsible for the development and delivery of training programs for business and industry throughout southwest Missouri. As a VisionPoint Master Trainer, Brenda brings 15 years of experience in facilitation and working with teams to provide training in the areas of Leadership Development and Personal Performance. |
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Joe Folkman Subject Matter Expert - Leadership Joe Folkman has spent the last 25 years helping organizations find better ways of measuring customers, employees, leaders and individual contributors. As co-author of the book The Extraordinary Leader, VisionPoint credits Joe for his contribution to the creation of The Extraordinary Leader training program. |
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Lisa Ford Subject Matter Expert - Customer Service Lisa Ford is an expert in the field of customer service, customer retention, managing, hiring and training for service excellence. Author of "How To Give Exceptional Customer Service," she partnered with VisionPoint to produce the popular training program, Glad I Could Help. |
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Barbara Glanz Subject Matter Expert - Customer Service Barbara Glanz and her universal message in Johnny the Bagger™ have inspired people and organizations across all seven continents to improve morale, retention and customer service by rediscovering purpose and joy in their work and lives. Barbara is a Certified Speaking Professional and the best-selling author of eleven books, including "The Simple Truths of Service," co-authored with Ken Blanchard. |
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Dr. Paul Green Subject Matter Expert - Behavioral Psychology Dr. Paul Green, experienced writer and instructor of training on the topic of Industrial Organizational Psychology, first began working with VisionPoint's production team (then employed at American Media) in 1998 during the creation of the best-selling interviewing video, More Than a Gut Feeling. Since then he has been the primary contributor to VisionPoint's Get the Whole Picture and A.C.E. It! |
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Dr. Austin (Augie) Groden Researcher and Curriculum Designer Prior to retirement in June 2000, Austin "Augie" Groden spent over 35 years in sequential roles as Professor of Education at Wittenberg University, Director of Training and Development at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Manager of Client Services at AchieveGlobal/Zenger Miller. As an instructional designer for VisionPoint, Augie has designed materials for programs such as A.C.E. It, The Extraordinary Leader, Once Upon a Leader™ and Fearless Facilitation!™. Augie most recently served on the research and design team helping to identify key development competencies for VisionPoint's High-Performance Workforce Model. |
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Mary Held Instructional Designer Mary S. Held, president of Mary Held & Associates, LLC, is a nationally recognized human resources consultant with 20 years of management and organizational development experience in both large and small private and public sector organizations. Mary has partnered with VisionPoint since 2004 to write materials for programs such as The Right Side of the Line, Peer Today, Boss Tomorrow™, TrainingBytes™ and several custom projects. Mary’s most recent project with VisionPoint was designing materials for Ready. Set. CHANGE!™. |
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Tony Jeary Presentation Strategist and Communication Skill Expert Tony Jeary, also known as Mr. Presentation™, is the leading authority on Presentation Mastery. As CEO of Tony Jeary High Performance Resources, Inc., he serves as personal coach to CEOs and presidents at such companies as Ford Motor Company, Texaco, Shell, Wal-Mart and New York Life. Tony partnered with VisionPoint in 2004 to produce a highly successful communication skills program, Life IS a Series of Presentations. |
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Jill Jensen-Welch, Esq. Legal Consultant and VisionPoint Master Trainer - TrainerSELECT™ Jill Jensen-Welch, Attorney at Law, Dickinson Mackaman Tyler & Hagen, P.C., practices primarily in employment law. Jill provides legal content and review for VisionPoint's ethics and compliance products, serves on the legal review team for compliance-related custom projects and writes legal articles for the Straight to the Point ethics and compliance newsletter. In her own work, Jill is involved in a variety of litigation matters and counsels employers regarding discipline, termination, reasonable accommodations, leave, employment contracts, handbooks and policies and training programs. |
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Ann Kiernan, Esq. Subject Matter Expert, Employment Law Ann Kiernan, attorney since 1981, has been with Fair Measures, LLC, since 1997. In addition to her many successful achievements in law, Ms. Kiernan's employment law articles have been published in many books and magazines. VisionPoint partnered with Ann for legal advice during the recent creation of the training program, The Right Side of the Line. |
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Paul Kostreski VisionPoint Master Trainer - TrainerSELECT™ Paul Kostreski is the CEO and President of Consulting TecKnowledgies in Fredrick, Maryland, a management education, performance improvement, wireless and business consulting company. VisionPoint first partnered with Paul two years ago to deliver training on VisionPoint's Leadership Development programs. With over 20 years of diverse experience in management, Paul's expertise includes business consulting, development, leadership, management, marketing, planning, sales, technology development and training. |
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Thad Lacinak Subject Matter Expert - Leadership and Behavior Change Before retirement, Thad was Vice President and Corporate Curator of Animal Training for Busch Entertainment Corporation, directing animal training and enrichment efforts at SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, Busch Gardens Tampa and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Lacinak, colleague Chuck Thompkins, Ken Blanchard and VisionPoint teamed up in 2002 to make Lacinak's philosophy into a best-selling and highly successful training program, known as Whale Done!™. |
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Kathy Landin Project Manager, Video Producer, Post-production Specialist Kathy has been a valuable member of the VisionPoint team since 2005 and has been the lead producer for many VisionPoint programs, including Peer Today, Boss Tomorrow™, Johnny the Bagger™ and Preventing Retaliation in the Workplace. Kathy was instrumental in the development of vSTREAM™ and has been the lead project manager with several VisionPoint clients to produce customized video training solutions. |
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Richard Layton Communications Consultant Richard (Rich) Layton is Principal and Creative Director of TransForm Communications, a results-focused, strategic marketing consultancy in Portland, Oregon. He began working with VisionPoint in January of 2004 to redefine the company's communication strategy, which led to a rebranding of the company’s identity, image and voice. Rich continues to help VisionPoint with internal and client projects requiring communication expertise. |
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Stuart Levine Subject Matter Expert - Conflict Resolution Stewart Levine, or "empowerment guru," is founder of Resolution Works, a consulting and training organization dedicated to providing skills and ways of thinking people will need to thrive in the next millennium. VisionPoint and Levine teamed up in 2002 to create the best-selling training program Everybody Wins. |
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Michelle Matt Subject Matter Expert - Positive Attitudes Michele Matt, founder of Inspiring Solutions, has positively influenced the attitudes and actions of more than 50,000 people across the nation. Michele's drive to inspire people with practical solutions for positive change led VisionPoint to partner with her in 2000 for the creation of the best-selling video training program, Bad Apples™. |
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Dan McCreary VisionPoint Master Trainer - TrainerSELECT™ As Executive Director of the Center For Workforce Development at Marion Technical College, Ohio, Jay is responsible for all of the services provided to business and industry. A veteranwith 28 years of educational experience, he has taught at the secondary school level, the college level and through his own consulting business facilitates planning sessions and presents seminars regularly. Jay has partnered with VisionPoint to train in the areas of Leadership Development, Teamwork and Personal Performance. |
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Todd McDonald Subject Matter Expert - Human Resource Development Todd McDonald, PHR, is President of ATW Training & Consulting, Inc., in Des Moines, Iowa. McDonald works with individuals and organizations on an international basis to develop their human potential. In 2001, McDonald partnered with VisionPoint to turn his book, "I Wish My Manager Would Just…™" into a popular training program. |
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Carl Moore, Esq. VisionPoint Master Trainer - TrainerSELECT™ Carl D. Moore, Esq., CEO of The Associates, LLC in Orleans, Virginia, is an employment law attorney specializing in EEO, Diversity, Dispute Resolution and Supervisory and Leadership Skills training and development. Carl has partnered with VisionPoint since 2005 to help train companies across the nation on topics such as Diversity, Management and Supervisory Skills and Leadership. |
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Bridget Penick, Esq. Legal Consultant and VisionPoint Master Trainer - TrainerSELECT™ Bridget Penick, Attorney at Law, Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen, P.C., practices primarily in labor and employment law. Bridget has provides legal content and review for VisionPoint's ethics and compliance products, serves on the legal review team for compliance-related custom projects and writes legal articles for the Straight to the Point ethics and compliance newsletter. As an attorney Bridget represents employers of all size in all aspects of employment law, including drafting employee handbooks and policies; counseling on disciplinary issues; responding to charges of discrimination and unemployment claims; and defending employers in all levels of litigation, from unemployment compensation claims to federal appellate cases. |
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Mitch Plott VisionPoint Master Trainer - TrainerSELECT™ Mitch Plott is founder of the Almaden Consulting Group in San Jose, California, where he is responsible for the design and delivery of organizational development, change management and training programs for business and industry throughout the US. With his 20 years of experience in facilitation, training and teaching, Mitch has partnered with VisionPoint to provide successful training in the areas of Leadership Development and Personal Performance. |
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Kevin Pokorny VisionPoint Master Trainer - TrainerSELECT™ Kevin J. Pokorny, consultant and owner of Pokorny Consulting in Des Moines, Iowa, brings 28 years of expertise to the VisionPoint team in delivering training on such topics as employment law, sexual harassment, respect in the workplace, behavioral-based interviewing, emotional intelligence, teamwork and leadership. Kevin also serves as a conference speaker, workshop presenter, meeting and project facilitator, facilitator of management team retreats and a management coach. |
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Lisa Ramsey Instructional Designer Lisa Ramsey is an expert in instructional design and communications. Having been in workplace learning and communications for 20 years, Lisa has developed a solid background in training development, marketing and educational product development. Lisa has worked with such varied industries as publishing, technology, banking and transportation. She understands the principals of adult learning, participant involvement and the necessity of standardization and assessment. She is a graduate of Purdue University and has a Master’s in Education (Instructional Design & Technology) from The Ohio State University. When she’s not working, Lisa enjoys the outdoors by running, bicycling and traveling to out-of-the-way destinations. |
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Rita Risser, Esq. Subject Matter Expert - Employment Law Rita Risser, author of the book, "Stay Out of Court! The Manager's Guide to Preventing Employee Lawsuits," has been an attorney since 1979. Rita was the primary contributor to VisionPoint's and top-selling harassment-prevention training program, The Right Side of the Line. |
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Stan Slap Corporate Strategist and Subject Matter Expert - Leadership Stan Slap, president of the consulting company, slap, is a keynote speaker around the world for major event presentations by Fortune 500 and Global 2000 companies. VisionPoint’s training program, Bury My Heart at Conference Room B™, features Slap in action. |
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Marcey Uday-Riley Subject Matter Expert - Human Resource Development/OD Marcey Uday-Riley is a high-energy, dynamic trainer and organizational development consultant with over 25 years in practice. As a human performance engineer for IRI Consultants, Marcey helps organizations achieve business objectives through the design and implementation of training and non-training solutions targeted at leadership development and the modification of individual behavior. Marcey has contributed to VisionPoint's best-selling program, Peer Today, Boss Tomorrow™, and VisionPoint’s newest program, Ready. Set. CHANGE!™. |
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Steve Welland VisionPoint Master Trainer - TrainerSELECT™ Steven Welland is owner and senior consultant for Strategic Development Institute in Champaign, Illinois. As a trainer and facilitator, Steven inspires individuals, as well as organizations, to reach their full potential; to drive themselves to their unique differences; and to operate consistently at their optimal level of performance. VisionPoint has partnered with Steve to provide experienced training in the areas of Leadership, Customer Service and Team Development. |
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Victoria Wesseler Subject Matter Expert - Ethics & Compliance As Manager Member of Ethics & Compliance Strategies, Victoria Wesseler assists corporations in defining and developing responsible business practices in the workplace. Wesseler's knowledge combined with VisionPoint's passion has resulted in the creation of great training programs like VisionPoint's A.C.T. with Integrity™ and L.E.A.D. with Integrity. |
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Ted Williams, J.D. Subject Matter Expert - Employment Law Ted Williams is co-principal of The Williams Group, a Des Moines-based full service human resources management consulting and training firm. With his law degree and years of executive-level human resource experience, Ted has been a major contributor to the material and success of VisionPoint's Legal Briefs™ Series, Be S.A.F.E. (Not Sorry)™, and It's Not Just About Sex Anymore™. |
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Jack Zenger Industry Thought Leader - Leadership Jack Zenger is the co-founder and CEO of Zenger/Folkman, an organization focused on bringing empirical research, innovative thinking and new technology to the challenge of developing more effective leaders. He is the author or co-author of 50 articles and 7 books on leadership, productivity, e-learning, training and measurement. VisionPoint partnered with Jack in 2002 to create The Extraordinary Leader training program based on his book by the same name. |