Bob Abrames is one of the 'originals' who built Sunquest Vacations, one of North America's largest tour operators, into the giant it is today. He's an expert on leadership, aptitude assessment, service, sales and personal marketing. Bob has directed seven successful businesses, authored ten business books and 300 business articles. He has done business in 76 countries on six continents,... read full bio
David L. Smith is a noted historian of the Early Modern period of British history, particularly political, constitutional, legal and religious history in the Stuart period. He is the author or co-author of eight books, and the editor or co-editor of four others. In 1991 he won the Royal Historical Society's Alexander Prize, and Cambridge University's Thirlwall Prize for historical... read full bio
Judy George is an entrepreneur, author, leading businesswoman, and a recognized expert in the home furnishings industry. Best known for introducing fashionable lifestyle furnishings in award winning retail formats, Judy George broke new ground in the home furnishings industry and forever changed the way women shop for furniture. The early success of her cutting- edge business model, Domain Home was... read full bio
Daniel Pinkwater is an author of mostly children's books and is an occasional commentator on National Public Radio. He attended Bard College. Well-known books include Lizard Music, The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death, Fat Men from Space, Borgel, and the picture book The Big Orange Splot. His collections of NPR essays (most notably Fish Whistle) explain that many... read full bio
Holly Clegg has offered expert advice on quick, flavorful and healthy eating for nearly 20 years through her best-selling trim&TERRIFIC cookbook series. Consisting of 14 books to-date, the trim&TERRIFIC series includes the newly released women’s lifestyle cookbook Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age, in addition to the specialized trim&TERRIFIC Diabetic Cooking and Eating Well Through... read full bio
Chris Burke has become best known for his character Charles Corky" Thatcher on the television series Life Goes On. Burke has Down Syndrome, and his parents were told to institutionalize him when he was born, but they decided to raise him at home and nurture his talents. He was encouraged to follow his career objectives no matter how untraditional they... read full bio
Howie Seago manages the Shared Reading Video Outreach Project (SRVOP) which uses videoconferencing technology to encourage deaf and hard of hearing children to become interested in reading and to train their parents and teachers in how to read storybooks in sign language. Howie has a B.A. in Psychology and has acted/taught/directed in the performing arts for over 24 years. He... read full bio
Kevin Saunders is a survivor of the 1981-grain elevator explosion in Corpus Christi, Texas, which left 10 co-workers dead. Hurled over 300 feet by the massive explosion, he suffered a broken back, collapsed lungs, and massive internal injuries. When he awoke from his coma, he discovered himself paralyzed from the chest down. Few believed he would survive. Confronted with tremendous... read full bio
Girard Sagmiller is an author, trainer and speaker on the topic of dyslexia and the negative perceptions surrounding the disability. Sagmiller gives his audience a comprehensive presentation that details not only his own experiences, but also his own innovative techniques and skills used to overcome dyslexia. Through his strong passion and need to help he has become an activist and... read full bio
Chris Fonseca has done stand-up on the tube, The Late Show with David Letterman, Arsenio, SHOWTIMEs Latino Laugh Festival, among other shows. Despite being born with Cerebral Palsy, Fonseca has no chip on his shoulder. He sees himself as did the Montreal Gazzette, as a comedian who happens to have Cerebral Palsy. Among various charitable efforts, in 1998 Chris established... read full bio
Holly Hughes started her career as a performance artist alongside Peggy Shaw and Lois Weaver. In 1990 Hughes earned national attention as one of the so-called NEA Four, artists whose funding from the National Endowment for the Arts was vetoed. It has been argued that she is influenced by Sam Shepard. In 2010, Holly Hughes received a Guggenheim Fellowship. She... read full bio
Jackie Mayer is a former Miss Ohio and Miss America and currently travels the United States as a motivational speaker, noted for her recovery from a near-fatal stroke suffered at age 28. For over 20 years, Mayer has dedicated her life to assisting stroke survivors and their families. She speaks to dozens of schools, colleges and corporations each year. She... read full bio
Dr. Yvonne S. Thorton is a double-Board certified specialist in obstetrics, gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine and has risen to the academic rank of Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cornell University Medical College. She is a Diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Thornton is the first... read full bio
Jim Miller, M.Div., D.Min., is an inspirational speaker and award-winning photographer who provides visual inspiration while his words and music inform, invigorate and refresh the heart and soul. Healthcare professionals and caregivers come away from his programs feeling affirmed in their respective roles as a healing presence, facilitating loss & grief and managing life transitions. In his aging program,... read full bio
Dr. Paul Brenner is a physician and counseling psychologist who has lectured throughout America, Europe and Asia. Dr. Brenner has released numerous books on the psychology of health and illness in addition to the unconscious patterns that control our everyday lives. Dr. Brenners lifes work has been trying to determine what makes an individual chronically ill or well. Dr. Brenner's... read full bio
Randy Lopez is a stage IV colon cancer survivor. Diagnosed at the age of 35, he has appeared in various publications and feature articles including a campaign for M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Lopez was previously the spokesperson for the Colon Cancer Alliance Roots of Support Campaign along with Olympic Champion Dara Torres. As a motivational speaker... read full bio
Steve is the author of In Search of Vision, published by Global Insights in 2000. He has also written many journal articles and was a contributing author to Valuing Differences, published by McGraw Hill in 1995. He has served as past president for the Portland chapter of the American Society for Training and Development and was chairman of the board... read full bio
When Ross Watson talks about taking risks, teamwork, and personal dignity, he truly speaks from experience. An outdoor enthusiast for over 20 years, Ross was the first blind climber to attempt North America's highest mountain, 20,320 foot Mount McKinley in Alaska in 1990.... read full bio
Zoe Koplowitz is a true inspiration. She is a marathon runner who suffers from multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Koplowitz uses her stories and struggles in her keynote presentations and novels. Even with her health complications Zoe has been able to complete a total of 25 New York Marathons. Although she has completed them all, she finished last in all 25.... read full bio
At Nevada Reno, Charles Mann was voted the most valuable defensive lineman in the Big Sky Conference in 1981 and 1982. As a senior, his 14 sacks led the conference. He finished third on his team with 76 tackles and was voted a Division l-AA All-American. Charles recently announced his retirement as a Professional Athlete and currently is tackling... read full bio
