Henry Bass
Moderator - CEO Councils - Blacksburg, VA
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Henry has over 30 years of leadership experience from both startup and military endeavors. He earned both a BS in Engineering and an MBA from Washington University in St Louis in 1989, then served in the Army for three years before earning a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech and starting Automation Creations, Inc (ACI).
ACI has been in the Blacksburg Corporate Research Center since 1996, producing custom-developed software and web applications for local, national, and Government customers. He became a peer group member in 2005 and put his group to good use when he deployed to the Gulf region in -2009. He attributes his company’s survival during that period to his peer group! Today, Automation Creations (ACI) has over 22 employees and 200 local and national clients for web development, software support, and custom software development.
Henry is a board member in both the local Chamber and the Technology Council and is an active leader in the Scouts BSA program and the non-profit competitive robotics organization, FIRST.
He retired from the Army after 28 years of Active and Reserve service. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 30+ years with two sons also in the Blacksburg region. He has been an LXCouncil moderator since 2012.
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Call Me
540-320-1590
Schedule a Call
calendly.com/henrybass
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/in/henrybass -
LXCouncil has been hugely valuable. My fellow peers are very thoughtful with the feedback...Going into a round-table of CEO's I had an assumption they were experts...they all bring humility to the table. There is a good deal of trust present in order to say "I don't know".
Jessica Wirgau, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Community Foundation of the New River Valley
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...our conversations have helped me to anticipate issues, look ahead, and think more strategically about the growth of my company. LXC is definitely valuable to my development as an executive and the success of my enterprise.
Michael O’ Brien
CEO, Rgolf, Inc.
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I have felt more confident and assertive in my decisions since joining LXCouncil
Jason Doyle
President, Alliance Energy Services
Kevin Dell’Oro
Licensed Partner - CEO Councils - Annapolis, MD
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My focus is on enabling business growth by supporting the execution of a company’s strategic vision. Throughout my consulting career, I have served others by developing strategy and implementation plans that seek to capture the business’ growth opportunities.
The BainBridge Group facilitates CEO councils with the support of LXCouncil, the global leader in mastermind groups. Our councils are located in the Washington, DC area and Annapolis, Maryland in partnership with Cresa Commercial Real Estate and M&T Bank.
In addition, the firm provides operational and leadership advisory services for small to medium size businesses. Our expertise centers around execution of strategy. We utilize proprietary tools and processes in operational, leadership, and cultural support to assess and make recommendations.
My business approach could best be described by the Japanese proverb, “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” Commonly, businesses do not have both vision and action working in tandem. Execution of a strategic vision is vital to success and growth.
I engage with my clients and use my unique set of skills, education, and experience to align with them to solve problems. I understand how important it is to work on the business instead of in the business. I also own and operate a company I acquired three years ago and have increased revenues 50% by applying this principle.
ACI has been in the Blacksburg Corporate Research Center since 1996, producing custom-developed software and web applications for local, national, and Government customers. He became a peer group member in 2005 and put his group to good use when he deployed to the Gulf region in -2009. He attributes his company’s survival during that period to his peer group! Today, Automation Creations (ACI) has over 22 employees and 200 local and national clients for web development, software support, and custom software development.
Henry is a board member in both the local Chamber and the Technology Council and is an active leader in the Scouts BSA program and the non-profit competitive robotics organization, FIRST.
He retired from the Army after 28 years of Active and Reserve service. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 30+ years with two sons also in the Blacksburg region. He has been an LXCouncil moderator since 2012.
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For my business and me personally, LXCouncil is one of my most valued investments. When COVID shut the world down, our services were still deemed essential, and our clients counted on us to be there for them. My LXCouncil group played a vital role in helping me process extremely challenging obstacles and navigate my business during a time of great uncertainty. In addition to the members, LXCouncil as an organization was proactively pushing out information to the members that were relevant and timely.
Bojan Simendic, Managing Partner
Apartment Restorers
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LXCouncil is unquestionably a crucial component of my personal and professional development. I recently completed the “Perspective Report” and presented the findings to my Council. Going through this process gives me visibility into my organization and an introspective view of myself and why I make the decisions I make. Other benefits of the perspective report include identifying blind spots, potential opportunities, and limiting risk for key decisions I need to make. Having a trusted group of my peers and a skilled moderator allows me to see the road ahead more clearly.
Brunson L. Cooper, Managing Director
Corenic Construction Group
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I grew, developed, and appreciated what others go through alone at the top and how we are not really alone together. It has proven to be an invaluable experience
Chris Wright
President Union Quarries Trusted Advisors
Randy Emelo
Licensed Partner - CEO Councils - Parker, CO
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Randy Emelo is a seasoned Executive Coach and Organizational Development professional with 20+ years of experience, including founding and scaling startups. As the founder of CoreConnection, he specializes in leadership development and improvement solutions. With a diverse background, Randy has worked with 300+ Fortune 2000 companies, creating effective development solutions and driving breakthrough growth. His expertise in creating organizational cultures and leadership development empowers clients to transform performance. Unlock growth with CoreConnections coaching expertise.
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www.coreconnectionconsulting.comEmail Me
Call Me
303 726-2939
Schedule a Call
calendly.com/randy-emelo/introduction-meeting-with-randy
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyemelo/ -
"Working with Randy implementing the Pinnacle approach has greatly improved our operations at MiCROTEC. We’ve aligned our team and streamlined processes. Randy’s practical guidance has been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. I highly recommend Randy for any business looking to enhance its performance and efficacy."
Ofer Heyman, CEO, Microtec, Inc.
“Randy has been instrumental in helping us refine our business operating system and strengthen our leadership team at Atreo. His coaching has provided clarity, structure, and actionable strategies that have significantly improved how we lead and execute. Through his guidance, we’ve aligned our vision, improved decision-making, and developed a stronger culture of accountability. I highly recommend Randy for any organization looking to elevate its leadership and operational effectiveness.”
Harry Pliskin, President at Atreo
"Before working with CoreConnection, we tried implementing EOS on our own but quickly realized we needed extra support. Randy helped us build a customized business operating system that truly fit our needs. His guidance brought clarity to our processes, aligned our team, and set clear, achievable goals. Thanks to his hands-on approach, we’ve seen real, measurable improvements in how we operate. I highly recommend CoreConnection to anyone looking to take their business to the next level!"
Danny Walters, President at Walter's Property Management
"Energizing is the word that comes to mind when I think about Randy. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Randy since 2005 and admire his professional career and accomplishments. Last year I hired Randy as a leadership consultant for my leadership team. I am always impressed with Randy’s ability to work with my leaders to build the skills we need to meet the emerging needs we face every day. Randy also inspired our entire company at our annual corporate planning meeting last year by introducing us to a new way of seeing how our personal preferences can contribute to corporate success. I know firsthand that the ROI is high with Randy. He is a great fit for any organization looking to improve their leaders' ability to collaborate and get the job done."
Jason Gordon, President/CEO at Heartland Acoustics & Interiors
John Foster
Licensed Partner - CEO Councils - Tampa, FL
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John Foster has 30 plus years of distinguished leadership and management experience with multiple companies at various stages of development across several fast paced industries including; finance (investment banking partnerships, valuation services), business consulting (strategic planning), national distribution (computer hardware and consumer electronics), healthcare (co-founded Medicaid HMO), commercial real estate (development of medical facilities, personal investing) and publishing (In Room Magazine, Hyatt Hotels). Demonstrating expertise in strategic and all operational aspects of business.
In his capacity as Chairman for Alliance Computing Technologies, Inc. (ACT), John interacted regularly with shareholders, an outside board of directors, bankers and general counsel in communicating the company’s vision and reporting results. His duties also took him to Washington, DC over four years where he was an advocate for the Rent To Own (RTO) industry before both houses of Congress.
Serving as the founder and Managing Member of the Tampa base advisory firm PathFinder Group he leads a team of senior level subject matter experts that help businesses reduce risk of failure by pinpointing opportunities for accelerated growth by analyzing a company’s current situation using a proprietary tool developed at MIT which leverages artificial intelligence to measure 18 value drivers affecting every company.
John earned his BA in Psychology from Duquesne University and an MBA from the University of Tampa in 1993. In 2014 The University of Tampa invited him to teach Family Business as an adjunct professor in the John Sykes College of Business, Center for Entrepreneurism. A lifelong learner, John has completed 240 graduate level credits in Commercial Investment Real Estate Analysis, acquired his Florida Real Estate Broker’s license, and a 6PAK Captain’s license.
He is very active in the community serving on the BayCare Behavioral Health Advisory Board, University of Tampa’s, Board of Fellows the Downtown Rotary Club of Tampa as a member of the Board of Directors, Rotary Foundation Trustee and past President of the Downtown Rotary Club of Tampa (2008-09). In January of 2018 John was invited to serve as a Director on the Board of Flanigan’s Enterprises Inc. trading as BDL (NYSE). In his spare time John is a beekeeper, who likes to fish, kayak and read.
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What we do in LXCouncil is more in-depth to running your business than other programs.
Mike Laky, CEO, Enable Me
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I just didn't want LXCouncil. I needed LXCouncil.
Sometimes there is smart money and sometimes stupid money. This has definitely been some of the smartest money I have ever spent, especially during COVID.
John Francis
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LXCouncil offers real peer-to-peer feedback and perspective from professionals that
experience new and different business scenarios daily. It’s an opportunity to gain new and innovative insights, and gather ideas that you might not have been exposed to otherwise.
Lauren Fernandez, Sr. Vice President
The Bank of Tampa
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I just wanted to take a moment to share with you how much I enjoy working with John.
He challenges me, coaches, and gives insight that didn’t even cross my mind.
Very grateful for you, John, and the LXCouncil group.
Mike Laky, Chief Executive Officer
Enable Me
Martin Griffin
Moderator - CEO Councils - Milwaukee, WI
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Marty is a passionate award-winning financial services executive who has excelled in leadership roles at GE, Aon, Ameriprise and Ohio National. Over his 30-year career, Marty has consistently delivered success. Working collaboratively, he architects strategy, vision and cohesive leadership teams where financial targets are exceeded, people grow and develop, and the enterprise grows exponentially.
Marty has led effectively up, down and across organizations. This has allowed him to successfully integrate acquired teams, build new businesses, turnaround dysfunctional businesses, and moderate executive level teams through difficult, mission critical decisioning and execution. In this process, he builds trust quickly and moves organizations from an “us and them” mindset to a “we” mindset.
Recently, Marty and has chosen to partner with LXCouncil to build CEO Peer groups in the Milwaukee and Chicago areas while growing his consulting practice.
"I love business. I was raised in Chicago and live in Milwaukee. I am excited to bring my love of business and leadership to these local businesses and contribute to the success of the local business community.”
Marty is a lifelong learner. He received a BA from Marquette University and an MBA with distinction from DePaul University. He is currently pursuing a master’s in Transformational Leadership and Coaching from Wright Graduate University and the Wright foundation for the realization of human potential. He is a Certified Investment management Analyst (CIMA) and hold Series 7 and 24 licenses with FINRA.
Marty lives in Wauwatosa Wisconsin. He has three wonderful adult children who are gainfully employed. Marty enjoys all forms of exercise, skiing, reading, and connecting.
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At first, I was concerned about the time commitment but soon realized that the meetings forced me to be more focused on the big picture, rather than be bogged down in day-to-day operations. Ultimately, LX was instrumental in helping me evaluate how I was doing business, spending my time, and prioritizing what was most important. I have a renewed energy and better strategic approach for the future because of my time at LXCouncil.
Marshall Weston
President & CEO, Restaurant Association of Maryland
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Being a member of LXCouncil has been very valuable. Having a group of peers with whom I can bring up real issues and get great instant feedback and counsel has been tremendous. Also, the general sharing of knowledge and resources has been helpful, especially last year regarding PPP loans.
Sue Hickerson
CFO, Ad Astra
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Addressing some of the hardest leadership challenges with genuine colleagues is both rewarding and reassuring.
Mark Zaroogian
GRWS & Generation Next Solutions
Ross Passantino
Moderator - CEO Councils - Kansas City, MO
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Steve Jobs said, “Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.”
Ross Passantino believes that committed groups of people produce better results than individuals. He has been known as a team-builder, connector, entrepreneur, and confidant to local business owners throughout his career. His balanced and objective approach to overcoming challenges has served him well in getting the most out of teammates and business leaders.
Passantino serves as the V.P. of Sales & Marketing for Watchmen Security Services in Kansas City. This role began as a consulting engagement that turned into a larger and much more rewarding experience. Passantino's strength as a sales and marketing leader has helped this locally-owned building security integrator achieve record revenue levels during his time at Watchmen Security.
Many recognize him for opening Accelerent in the Kansas City market in 2009. During his ten years with Accelerent, he helped create the most consistent market with great recruiting of talent and solid leadership principles. Kansas City Accelerent Partner companies enjoyed increased levels of new business revenue through a system of relationship-building and database mining. He successfully moderated executive-level environments where local business owners learned how to become referral sources for each other and to be more effective from each other.
Passantino is also a Partner in Passantino Marketing. Local business owners trust the Passantino Marketing team with maximizing their sales and marketing investments. Services include website design, SEO, social media management, traditional advertising campaigns, and fractional sales and marketing consulting.
Ross Passantino lives at Lake Lotawana, Missouri, and spends his free time with family and friends at this beautiful suburban lake community in the Kansas City area. Ross and his wife Tracey enjoy their big happy family of seven children and three grandchildren.
Helping others is at the core of his value set. For over 15 years, he has been the Tournament Chairman of the Operation Breakthrough Golf Fore Kids tournament to raise funds for Kansas City’s largest inner-city daycare center. He served as President of Media Mix of Kansas City and is a member/volunteer of the UNICO Kansas City Chapter that sends local Kansas City high school seniors to college with Festa Italiana events.
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"My participation in an LX Council has helped both myself and our company in numerous ways. A few items of significance include the scheduled 4-hour meeting per month which requires me to take a step back and analyze the business with the peer group, providing valuable insights from others, and tools provided by Tina for additional analysis. LXC has increased my self-confidence to allow me to be a better leader in my company."
Tim Scott, President
Gibbens Drake Scott, Inc.
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"Being a member of LXCouncil has been very valuable. Having a group of peers with whom I can bring up real issues and get great instant feedback and counsel has been tremendous. Also, the general sharing of knowledge and resources has been helpful, especially last year regarding PPP loans."
Sue Hickerson, CFO
Ad Astra
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"My LXC experience has been instrumental in being continually stretched as a business owner and leader. Listening, learning, and hearing the perspective of trusted peers who face many of the same challenges I face are key highlights. It is also rewarding to share from my personal experiences and add value for others in their journey. I look forward to each monthly session and always have a key takeaway."
Don Bishop, Owner
Beacon Contracting
Patty Powers
Licensed Partner - CEO Councils - New Haven, CT
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I come from a family of entrepreneurs and have a passion for business; you can say it’s in my blood!
I work with business owners and leadership teams to help them move forward with purpose. Facilitating Strategic plans that communicate company direction, placement of the right people in the proper role, and documentation processes and procedures are just a few topics we will review together.
Besides my personal business ownership experience, I spent 15 years in business banking at a couple of different financial institutions. I gained perspective from various industries with businesses in all stages of the life cycle. I helped thousands of companies throughout that time by providing advice, direction, and access to resources to help them scale to the next level. During my tenure in banking, I held various roles, including business relationship manager, manager of a sales team, as well as strategy and implementation roles.
My approach to working with my clients is hands-on, and I enjoy working side by side to achieve the desired outcome. My determination and commitment to solving their problems and helping them succeed drives my success which is their success too!
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Email Me
Call Me
203-508-0166
Schedule a Call
LinkedIn
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Larry Prince
Licensed Partner - CEO Councils - West Orange, NJ
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Larry Prince possesses deep experience as a business growth consultant, performance coach and leadership advisor. His passion is helping business owners and leaders to achieve their company and personal goals. As a trusted advisor, he applies creative ways to help teams solve critical business problems, make tough decisions and lead through change.
As CEO of PrinceLeadershipTM, his approach with clients begins by taking a deep dive assessment of a business employing a validated, analytical business tool. The process identifies and quantifies key company strengths and areas that are current weaknesses eroding value and creating roadblocks to growth. Then, through his strategic facilitation, Larry helps the owner and leadership team develop a prioritized action plan. His council moves the client through four stages: Strategic thinking, strategic planning, strategic doing, which leads to new strategic habits.
Larry possesses more than thirty years of business, health care and pharmaceutical industry leadership experience. His corporate roles have included running the Marketing Communications function at a major Pharma company, leading award-winning sales teams, building new sales forces and leading corporate-wide change management initiatives. Larry was the founder and owner of a medical-based weight loss business. He is proud of his time as a high school and college teacher before entering industry.
Larry is a highly regarded public speaker. He engages audiences through interactive keynote talks, workshops, and webinars – and gets people to think differently about how they lead and achieve organizational success in the face of change and uncertainty.
He is certified in the facilitation of strategic planning by the American Management Association and has written numerous articles for publications that include: Sales and Marketing Management, Small Business Today Magazine, New Jersey Business, Small Biz Daily and the Journal of Community Health. Larry and his wife also gain great satisfaction in giving back to their community, including working with a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. Larry also is passionate about staying fit and growing a large vegetable garden, including great tasting potatoes.
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Larry Prince lives up to his tag line, 'Bringing Out the Best in Executives,' especially in a time of great uncertainty. We’re now able to pivot seamlessly, putting our learnings toward successfully rebooting and rebuilding. His coaching helped my team be highly effective leaders, in reaching our bold strategic goals. We’ve learned how to prioritize our work, test assumptions and strengthen decision making skills through problem solving. And we’ve built business plans that will take us far into the future. Larry’s one-on-one methodology has helped us refocus and rejuvenate our leadership team. We now have more opportunities for growth and for becoming more efficient and profitable. I highly recommend Larry Prince to any organization looking for new and different ways of leading their organizations to boost business results.
Blair Wilson
CEO, Morris Habitat for Humanity
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With strong command and business experience, Larry facilitated a process for us to discover a path for additional business growth. His methods and use of validated assessment tools, uncovered our strengths and areas that were holding us back from achieving some of our growth goals. Larry's guidance and final report provided a clear roadmap for us to move business forward in a coordinated and prioritized fashion.
Ken Hoffman
President, DPC Data
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I first learned of Larry several years ago when I heard him speak at a conference on leadership. When it came time to take the helm at a company that had challenges, I looked to Larry as a coach to help guide our success. He helped us identify key areas that needed focus, challenged my ideas and assumptions, and acted as a sounding board when tough decisions needed to be made. He’s helped guide our company through enormous challenges that have allowed us to get on track and focus on implementing our vision for the future.
Rob Love
Executive Director, Butte Home Health and Hospice
Tim Rhode
Moderator - CEO Councils - Baltimore, MD
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Businesses today must be nimble and willing to embrace or drive change to succeed and become the obvious choice for their market. This requires insight, vision, and a committed team aligned to thrive in new and more effective ways.
I help business leaders and teams develop that insight and commitment with experience, coaching, systems, and tools to accelerate progress and succeed with change.
Having personally launched and led multiple high-service-level 7 and 8-figure businesses in the highly competitive health and fitness space, and having more than 35 years of experience as a business owner, manager, and consultant, my purpose is to develop and implement growth and success strategies for organizations.
⏩ To devise innovative new approaches for business and leadership.
⏩ To inspire and develop talented teams of caring, service-minded individuals.
⏩ And coach them toward a positive, confident mindset with insight, challenge, and determination.
Clients say that I’m able to help capture their vision and bring it to life. I accelerate growth and results, tailor solutions for each situation, and coach their executives to greater success.
Specialties include strategy, systems, leading successful change, repositioning for business growth, leadership and management development, team building, and problem-solving with innovative solutions and systems.
I also offer a 4-week online coaching program called Changing Lanes for Business. Four simple steps to help business leaders accelerate progress and succeed with change
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Jason Rothfuss
Licensed Partner - CEO Councils - Omaha, NE
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Jason spent 30 years growing midwestern companies. He has been the confused employee held accountable for things he wasn't given authority to change and the frustrated leader wondering why his employees didn't share his sense of responsibility.
He started Red Fox Consulting 6 years ago to bridge the gap between visionary leaders and their employees. His focus is on growing leaders and helping them multiply their impact. Jason has a knack for practical tools and insightful facilitation.
Jason is a Certified Pinnacle Business Guide and Certified Working Genius Facilitator.
In addition to his coaching business, Jason and his wife, Kirstin, have 6 children (3 via adoption) and a passion for serving the local church and mission organizations.
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"Jason has helped us find alignment, create a path, and overhaul our operational direction. His business instincts, strategic thinking, and process-minded approach has helped us achieve sustained growth that has exceeded 17% over the last 2 years. With his help we have developed accountability and tracking measures that have created a winning sales environment."
Kevin Tadlock - President National Vehicle
"Jason really helped us see our blindspots as a business – and where we needed to pivot in order to grow and actually enjoy what we do! I’d recommend Red Fox for anyone who is ready to stop doing business-as-usual – and wanting to take their operations to the next level.”
-Ben Lueders, Founder & Co-Owner of Fruitful
"Jason has a great way of helping us simplify our ideas and get them into words. Now we have a clear focus on what we need in our business.."
Jordan Dudzinski - DDS New Image Dentistry
"As a result of working with Jason, we have seen growth. We have made more progress this quarter than I thought we could make in 6 months."
Matt Jackson - CEO 180 Omaha
Jane Sommers-Kelly
Licensed Partner - CEO Councils - Raleigh, NC
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Jane has run businesses ($35MM +) and advised CEOs in manufacturing, technology, business services, and healthcare thru-out her 25-year career. Starting on Wall Street with JPMorgan, Jane delved into each client’s business value-chain and strategic priorities, in order to understand their context. Chosen to be Country Head of Bankers Trust Czech & Slovak office in Prague, Jane earned the respect of Bank Presidents and CFOs, winning the first ever Slovak crown Euro-bond issuance.
After 11 years in Finance, Jane pivoted to the leadership side of business strategy. For the next two decades at Duke and INSEAD, Jane and team advised MNC’s on how to grow their business thru their leaders. Clients included GE, Honeywell, Clorox, and Citibank. Jane was also asked to launch INSEAD OnLine and succeeded with SingTel in selling the first on-line course available via your phone.
Since 2017, JSK Leadership has partnered with over a dozen medium-sized companies to achieve business results – thru their Top Team. The Head of Americas at one client said: “Jane, your best-practices and business logic motivated us over these 3 months to clarify and communicate our priorities differently. Our execution effectiveness and therefore Time to Market have already improved.” Jane understands each business and team require a different solution.
Jane’s business experience is anchored by her passion for ongoing market-place learning, as seen in her INSEAD MBA, Georgetown Leadership degree, and summa-cum laude UNC BA. She has moderated executive Peer Groups since 2019 and chose LXCouncil as the best CEO Peer Group due to its model. Members benefit from experienced Peers, time-efficient meetings and quarterly business assessments. Jane pays it forward by Chairing and serving on relevant Boards, including the Hotchkiss School, the Compass Center (DV), and her church. Her family of three men are soccer-obsessed, one playing professionally. Her HQ is based in Chapel Hill, NC, where she walks her dogs and plays competitive tennis.
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By making time to participate in LXCouncil, gives me the opportunity to step away.
I get the opportunity to think through different areas of my business that make me more confident about executing.
Chris Steinbach
CEO, The Newberry Group
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LXCouncil has been a tremendous benefit for me both personally and professionally. Once a month, I spend four hours on my business - rather than in my business, which has resulted in more clarity, vision, and an increase in our overall business during the last three years…
Burman S. Clark
President, Muneris, Inc
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LXCouncil brings value to my companies in two specific ways – the accountability of knowing others are invested in what we are doing forces me to work strategically and the input I get from the other leaders helps me fill key gaps
Bruce C Bryan, President, B2C Enterprises, The Spot on Kirk, LB2, LLC
Jorge Titinger
Licensed Partner - CEO Councils - Nashville, TN
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Jorge is a highly analytical and incisive Strategist, Leadership Consultant, Speaker, and Board member, with 30+ years of experience directing substantial growth and leading the turnaround of underperforming organizations in Silicon Valley.
He is an accomplished Board Member and C-level executive known for producing results by developing strategies, establishing new processes, building effective leadership teams, driving innovation, and implementing initiatives spanning all business areas. Jorge was also a Director of the Alliance of CEOs, where he leads a group of CEOs from different industries in their journey to maximize their success. He is now a Licensed Partner with LXCouncil and is bringing his experience to the Nashville area.
He holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management and a Master and Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. He was recognized as CEO of the Year for Operational Excellence by CEO World Awards in 2013 and received the award as one of the Top 100 Latinos in Technology by HITEC for 5 years. In 2017 he received the Estrella Award by HITEC as the top Latino in technology.
Jorge is an award-winning author. He co-wrote the book “Differences that make a Difference” with Pedro Espinoza. The book was published in October 2019 and aimed to show how inclusion and diversity positively impact the results and companies' bottom line. Jorge and Pedro interviewed over 150 executives from different industries and continents and brought their insights into the book.
Jorge serves on several public and private company Boards, as well as non-profit Boards. He is a mentor and advisor to several startups in Silicon Valley, Nashville, and Peru and is an angel investor.
Jorge is an avid soccer player, and in his youth was a collegiate, professional and national team member. He also enjoys golf, tennis, and travel.
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We all might come from different industries and backgrounds, but we all face very similar challenges and questions. Overall it is a great experience and an opportunity to look “outside of the box," widen your horizons and engage with your peers from outside of your industry.
Arif Mamedov
President, Regula Forensics Inc
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My LXC experience has been instrumental in being continually stretched as a business owner and leader. Listening, learning, and hearing the perspective of trusted peers who face many of the same challenges I face are key highlights. It is also rewarding to share my personal experiences and add value for others in their journey. I look forward to each monthly session and always have a key takeaway.
Don Bishop
Owner, Beacon Contracting
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LXCouncil has been a tremendous benefit for me both personally and professionally. Once a month, I spend four hours on my business - rather than in my business, which has resulted in more clarity, vision, and an increase in our overall business during the last three years…
Burman S. Clark
President, Muneris, Inc
David Trent
Licensed Partner - CEO Councils - Little Rock, AR
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David Trent is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist, renowned for his expertise in business growth, exit planning, and value acceleration. He leads Trent Premier Growth, a firm dedicated to guiding small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through customized growth and exit strategies. With a unique combination of Pinnacle Business Guides and Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPAs), his team offers tailored solutions to meet the specific needs and goals of each business.
Trent's approach uses a comprehensive framework designed to enhance the performance of businesses with 20 to 1,000 employees. This system provides a set of tools and procedures that help business owners, and their leadership teams navigate the complexities of growth and scalability. By implementing this system, Trent empowers businesses to overcome obstacles and achieve their long-term objectives.
Under Trent’s leadership, Trent Premier Growth offers a range of services, including business valuations, exit planning, and sell-side advisory. Recognizing the challenging market conditions, especially with the anticipated retirement of a significant number of Baby Boomer business owners, Trent emphasizes the importance of standing out in a crowded marketplace. His strategies aim to increase business value, enhance profitability, and ensure a smooth transition or sale process.
Trent's experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is a cornerstone of his advisory services. He and his team are committed to securing the best possible outcomes for clients looking to sell their businesses. By identifying opportunities for value enhancement and providing targeted actions to increase sales prices, Trent helps business owners maximize their returns.
Beyond his technical expertise, Trent is dedicated to entrepreneur coaching. He understands that each business is unique and requires a personalized approach. His coaching services are designed to support business leaders in achieving their vision, fostering sustainable growth, and preparing for future transitions.
Trent Premier Growth’s mission is to transform businesses by offering continuous support and partnership. Trent believes in working closely with leadership teams to ensure they stay on the path to success. This hands-on approach reflects his commitment to client success and his ability to adapt strategies to meet the evolving needs of each business.
A key aspect of Trent's professional network is his membership with LX Council, the global leader in peer and mastermind groups. LX Council provides a platform for business leaders to share insights, strategies, and support through structured mastermind groups. This membership allows Trent to stay at the forefront of business innovation and leadership, continually enhancing his ability to serve his clients effectively. By participating in these peer groups, Trent gains valuable perspectives and strategies that he integrates into his advisory practice, ensuring that his clients benefit from the latest industry trends and best practices.
David Trent's extensive background in wealth management and exit planning, combined with his innovative use of the Pinnacle Business Operating System, positions him as a leading figure in the business advisory field. His work has helped countless business owners realize their potential, enhance their business value, and successfully navigate the complexities of growth and exit planning.
In summary, David Trent is a visionary leader dedicated to helping businesses thrive in a competitive market. His comprehensive approach, combining growth strategies, exit planning, and entrepreneur coaching, ensures that his clients are well-prepared to achieve their goals and secure their future. Trent's commitment to customized solutions and continuous partnership underscores his role as a trusted advisor in the business community.
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Email Me
Call Me
501-831-0991
Schedule a Call
calendly.com/david-vko
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-trent-82612016/ -
"David assists me in progressing from one level to the next, repeatedly upping my growth! My success is super amplified because of him" -Marlon Haynes, Founder, 21st Century Janitorial Services.
"David’s ability to help me choose, focus, and execute the highest impact habits for me to build and groove is life changing". - Chris Chunn, Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Arkansas Talent Group.
Sandy Waggett
Moderator - CEO Councils - Osage Beach, MO
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Sandy Waggett is a digital agency owner 23 years (MSW Interactive Designs), an author (Bold Moves - Take Back Your Power, Reclaim Your Peace, and Live Happy on Purpose), a Certified High-Performance Coach, and a Certified Maxwell Leadership Coach. In her spare time, she loves to hike, kayak, bike, and spend time with her dog Charly.
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Email Me
sandy@transformandinspireyourlife.com
Call Me
573-480-48372
Schedule a Call
meetings.hubspot.com/sandy-waggett
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mswinteractivedesigns/ -
Kay Azmat
Licensed Partner - CEO Councils - Cedar Park, TX
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Kinza Azmat, Founder of Chief Rebel, excels as a peer group moderator for small business owners. Drawing on her engineering and operations background, she creates supportive environments where entrepreneurs collaboratively solve their most pressing challenges. Her structured peer forums balance accountability with practical guidance, helping business owners implement strategies that drive growth while maintaining healthy cash flow.
With over $26M in M&A transactions as an advisor, Kinza has proven her expertise firsthand. She acquired a struggling 150-agent real estate platform and transformed it by quadrupling lead conversion rates, reducing operating expenses by 62%, and unifying 10 separate brands into one successful entity. She has since helped over 500 entrepreneurs with acquisition searches and contributed to programs at Walker Diebel's Acquisition Lab and New Majority Capital.
Kinza combines analytical experience from Apple and Southwest Airlines with performance improvement consulting at AlixPartners and its private equity clients. As an ICF-certified coach and LX Council certified partner, she offers practical support to help small business owners optimize operations, create sustainable growth, and build scalable systems that maximize value for successful exits.
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https://www.thechiefrebel.com/peer-groups
Email Me
Call Me
469-367-2133
Schedule a Callhttps://calendly.com/kazmat/30min
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/kayazmat -
“In the end, all of Kinza's support translated into me buying a business that met my goals and came at a good value. And, I know that I have Kinza in my corner as I move forward managing my new company. Anyone would be lucky to work with her as a coach, leader, or team member. It would be hard to overstate her value.” Chris Farkas, CEO EmergencyKits.com
“[Kinza’s] ability to listen deeply, dissect complex problems, and address risks has been invaluable to me. Kinza doesn’t just spot challenges; she equips you with a tailored game plan, turning potential obstacles into stepping stones. Her guidance is invaluable for entrepreneurs seeking clear, actionable advice in the complicated world of SMB acquisitions.” TIm Ericson, VC-Backed CEO
Mark Weston
Moderator - Sr. Leader Councils - Virtual - Tampa, FL
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Mark is a leader in Operations, Technology, and Account Management for Direct Travel. In his tenure there, he has doubled the sales and profits six-fold. Mark achieved this through creating greater efficiencies, reliable systems, goal achievement execution, accountability, and most of all, having a great team in place.
Mark Weston earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Chapman University. While in college, he supervised eight Shakey’s Restaurants, using management skills and theories learned in school and applying those lessons to real-world situations. The owner of those eight units once said of Weston, “I am not crazy about your style, but you have provided me the best results I have ever had.” That is the mantra that Weston lives by: “What are the results that will be achieved from any activity?”
From there, Mark went on to a 10-year career in Financial Management. Starting with trading for Goldman Sachs and then on his own as a member of the New York Futures Exchange. This allowed him to understand how our financial world works, and from there, his career moved to the retail side of the financial world by working for Merrill Lynch. There, he created sound financial plans for individuals and corporations to help them manage their finances and was a member of Merrill Lynch’s Executive Club based on outstanding performance.
Wanting to do something completely different, Mark, intrigued by the business of travel, ventured into his own travel management firm: The Business Travel Experts. He began his exciting and challenging voyage by owning a franchise. He handled all daily aspects, including sales, technology, financial management, operations, and management – assuring that each area was thriving. During this time, Entrepreneur Magazine followed and wrote about its journey during the first year of business, motivating him more than ever to succeed.
After three years of rapid growth and receiving the Travel Management Company of the year award, Mark decided he had outgrown the franchise's usefulness and decided to take his company independently. The business continued its growth organically and through acquisitions and a partnership to be in the top 10% of the industry. This life cycle continued for a total of 17 years until an offer too good to refuse created an occasion for the business to be sold and allowed Mark new opportunities.
The next chapter in Mark’s life led him to join the business-consulting firm: Management Action Programs. This opportunity has given him the chance to work with leadership teams to improve their overall performance in the organization, planning, communication, goal alignment, accountability, execution, and leadership skills.
Mark’s experiences have taught him that he loves to coach and mentor teams to greater personal and business success, which is why he is happy to be a part of the LX Council team, and lead our members to their next achievements.
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I have been with LXCouncil for almost a year now. That means that I joined right when the world has been facing significant changes due to the global pandemic. Being part of the group and seeing the challenges faced by my peers made me realize that my situation is not unique. The information shared during the meeting helped all of us to navigate through the hardship of COVID lockdown. Discussions later in the year have helped me grow personally as a leader within the company and grow personally. To name few topics of those discussions:
How to quantify a company’s global strategy.
How to deal with “toxic” employees.
How to better manage all the tasks on our plate.
How to deal with personal burnout.
We all might come from different industries and backgrounds, but we all face very similar challenges and questions. Overall it is a great experience and an opportunity to look “outside of the box," widen your horizons and engage with your peers from outside of your industry.
Arif Mamedov, President
Regula Forensics Inc
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LXCouncil provides the tools to become a better leader! LXCouncil has a passion for growth and innovation within team dynamics, and that is reflected in each of their meetings. From the foundation of treating people the way they want to be treated to deep dive into the true value of your company, every senior leader is sure to benefit from joining an LXCouncil Mastermind group.
Constance Polamalu
Zachary's Jewelers
Chief Operating Officer
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Any good leader wants to hear multiple viewpoints.
Wes Bridges
President, CB Design Group
Mutual Trust
Internal CEO Peer Groups - Australia
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I have been with LXCouncil for almost a year now. That means that I joined right when the world has been facing significant changes due to the global pandemic. Being part of the group and seeing the challenges faced by my peers made me realize that my situation is not unique. The information shared during the meeting helped all of us to navigate through the hardship of COVID lockdown. Discussions later in the year have helped me grow personally as a leader within the company and grow personally. To name few topics of those discussions:
How to quantify a company’s global strategy.
How to deal with “toxic” employees.
How to better manage all the tasks on our plate.
How to deal with personal burnout.
We all might come from different industries and backgrounds, but we all face very similar challenges and questions. Overall it is a great experience and an opportunity to look “outside of the box," widen your horizons and engage with your peers from outside of your industry.
Arif Mamedov, President
Regula Forensics Inc
----
LXCouncil provides the tools to become a better leader! LXCouncil has a passion for growth and innovation within team dynamics, and that is reflected in each of their meetings. From the foundation of treating people the way they want to be treated to deep dive into the true value of your company, every senior leader is sure to benefit from joining an LXCouncil Mastermind group.
Constance Polamalu
Zachary's Jewelers
Chief Operating Officer
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Any good leader wants to hear multiple viewpoints.
Wes Bridges
President, CB Design Group