John Billingsley has lived the life of a successful entrepreneur, founding more than seventy companies over a long and storied career. Raised on a West Texas farm, he began breeding and selling livestock in grade school. After college, he launched an accounting firm that became one of Texas’s largest independently owned firms before being purchased…
John Daniel is a veteran HR executive with deep experience in leading people and creating a positive company culture. He is a recognized thought leader and speaks at various organizations on culture, leadership, human behavior, and change management. After forty-seven years in the banking industry, John retired in 2021—his most recent executive role having served…
Born to alcoholic parents, Stearns was diagnosed with dyslexia, failed fourth grade, and fathered a child at the age of fourteen. He graduated high school in the bottom ten percent of his class. By this time, he had developed a drinking habit that rivaled his parents, struggled with a quick temper, and found himself in…
Marsha Blackburn is a member of the United States Senate.
Bob Parsons is the CEO and founder of YAM Worldwide, home to his entrepreneurial ventures in the fields of motorcycles, golf, real estate, finance, marketing, innovation, and philanthropy. However, he is perhaps best known as the founder of GoDaddy. Among his accomplishments, Parsons failed the fifth grade. He would not have graduated high school had he…
Hubert has journeyed from “Boxcar to Business Star.” A college dropout, trapped in a dangerous, low-paying railroad job, Hubert sought more from life. With no career opportunities, or funds to start a business, his breakthrough came when he landed an opportunity at A.L. Williams & Associates (ALW), founded by Arthur L. “Art” Williams Jr. While…
Noel Massie began working for UPS part time during college and rose through the ranks to become vice president for UPS’s US Delivery Operations. Before his retirement in 2019, he oversaw 200,000 employees who were led by 12,000 supervisors. In this role, Noel supported and guided the package delivery and logistic services in the United States….
Phillip Lanier is an entrepreneur, business coach, and author dedicated to helping CEOs reclaim their personal time, build stronger connections with their teams, and grow successful companies with integrity. As the founder of Business Essentials and GrowthGears, Phillip teaches business leaders how to scale with purpose while balancing the demands of leadership and a fulfilling…
Garrett Maroon’s real estate story started small— just forty names in a database and a vision fueled by relationships over leads. Fast forward eleven years, and he’s closed over 650 homes 100 percent by relationships. As the founder of 2:10 Realty Group, a top 1 percent team in Southeast Virginia, Garrett brings more than expertise—he…
Steve Spangler has dedicated his career to proving that the best engagement is powered by experience. He’s a best-selling author, two-time Emmy Award winner, and the host of the nationally syndicated television series DIY Sci. Spangler gained worldwide attention as the creator of YouTube’s first viral science video, teaching millions how to launch a geyser…
Jay Schwedelson has built and led businesses that have generated over $400 million in revenue—all by doing what most marketers are too afraid to try: breaking the so-called “best practices.” As CEO of Outcome Media, Jay leads a team that executes over 40,000 marketing campaigns annually for some of the world’s most iconic brands. He…
John Kim is one of the world’s top fundraisers. He is currently the Chief Client Officer at the global investment company General Catalyst. Previously, he worked for other world-class investment firms such as J.P. Morgan, Court Square Capital, and Kelso & Company. Kim graduated from Brown University magna cum laude with a degree in economics and…