Julie Cremeans-Smith, Ph.D.
Dr. Julie Cremeans-Smith is an assistant professor at Kent State University at Stark. She also serves in a research capacity for The Corporate University, where she utilizes a vast array of resources and research methodologies to connect organizations with beneficial information to assist in strategic planning, performance improvement, marketing, economic development and other decision-making initiatives. She possesses a wide variety of expertise and experience in environmental scanning, interviewing, conducting literature reviews, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, interpretation and reporting. She has served as the research expert on projects with the City of Green Division of Parks and Recreation, Union Hospital, Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority, Team NEO, Kent State University and several regional campuses. Julie is a member of ACCRA, the nonprofit organization promoting excellence in research for economic and community development.

Diane DeRubertis, SPHR
Diane DeRubertis is a member of the adjunct faculty at Kent State University Kent and Kent State University at Stark. As an instructor for The Corporate University, she facilitates The SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Learning System, the #1 certification program to prepare for the PHR and SPHR certification exams. Diane has worked in the human resources for over 20 years. She has assisted organizations design sourcing and retention strategies and to develop effective training, benefits and compensation programs as well as managing large-scale HRIS implementations. She is a Human Resources Consultant for PNC Bank Operations Division. Diane holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Kent State University.

Deborah Easton
Deb Easton has been a communication skills consultant for 30 years. She provides practical advice for utilizing effective communication skills. Her techniques for one-to-one interactions and group communications provide positive results. She has conducted training for organizations such as First Energy, Hyland Software, and Summa Health System. Deb has been instrumental on numerous special projects, including the development of performance evaluation systems and facilitating cultural change. She earned a master’s degree in speech communication from Kent State University. She taught communication courses in the Kent State University’s Department of Communication Studies and Graduate School of Management.

Gary Fitzmartin
Gary Fitzmartin is an experienced business consultant, public speaker and corporate coach. Building on sales success, he spent six years leading his first entrepreneurial venture to more than $26-million in annual sales. He went on to guide a manufacturing company out of bankruptcy; and headed the FurnitureMax division of OfficeMax. For over ten years, he has traveled the US and Canada as a speaker and business coach helping clients understand and utilize technology effectively. Gary is passionate about working with individuals and groups to improve and grow. He earned a bachelor’s of arts degree from the University of Maine and is certified by the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches as a Registered Corporate Coach.

Patty Flauto
Patty Flauto is the former creative director of the Photo and Design Studios at American Greetings. While at American Greetings, she managed a staff of nine art directors and 60 designers in the creation of all new illustrated and photographic pieces for American Greetings products. Flauto was a 2004 American Greetings Grand Award winner in the category of Innovation for her work developing a new business venture for creative papercrafts. She is a past board member of the Color Marketing Group, an international organization that forecasts color and design trends, and a founding member of THINK, a New York-based trend forecasting group that is by invitation only. She provides product innovation consulting for organizations such as Newell-Rubbermaid, Corning and Compaq Computer. Flauto received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Youngstown State University and her master’s degree in fine arts from Kent State University.

Kristy Frieden
Kristy Frieden has over 17 years of experience working with all levels of leadership. She has worked with a variety of organizations and industries including healthcare, higher education, manufacturing and technology. Kristy has done extensive facilitator training with GE Healthcare Solutions, as it relates to selecting, developing, coaching and evaluating top performers. Kristy’s passion and dynamic presentation style, coupled with her sense of humor and positive approach, engages and motivates clients to focus on their strengths while achieving success.

Bob Jewell
Bob Jewell has 25 years of hands-on experience in many business environments. He has provided leadership development and project management training and consulting services to organizations such as Toyota, Federal Express and Aultman Hospital, among others. Jewell has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from The Ohio State University.

Celia King
Celia King has over 19 years of experience in higher education, team development and cross-cultural exchange. She uses eight different mental processes in the development of teams, leadership, learning, relationships, stress management, conflict and communication. Celia can help to identify and respond to cultural differences through the development of Cultural Intelligence. In addition to national and ethnic culture, cultural intelligence addresses differences between generations, between socio-economic status, and differences among departments in an organization. Celia designs training for adult learners that includes presentation, reflection, and interaction.

Dave Mehl
Dave Mehl has more than 30 years experience in proessional organization development and human resources management, in both domestic and international markets for manufacturing, high tech, A/E firms and higher education. His skills include implementing innovative organization changes, including management structure and program design. Mehl has a bachelor's degree in industrial management from The University of Akron and a master's degree in organization development from Bowling Green State University.

Marvin Montgomery
Marvin Montgomery has over 30 years of experience as a professional sales training specialist and motivational speaker. He has assisted hundreds of organizations improve productivity. As director of sales for one of the country’s largest jewelry chain leaders, Marvin trained 1,200 associates in 95 stores. His informative, practical and stimulating programs reflect his basic philosophy that preparation and practice are the keys to sales success. His compelling message can be applied by employees in any industry that provide a product or service to their customers. Marvin spent two years as vice president of The Robinson Group, a consulting and venture capital firm. He is the author of Practice Makes Perfect: The Professional’s Guide to Sales Success.

Kordell Norton, CSP
Kordell Norton is high energy, highly engaging trainer and speaker with a focus on customer experiences and engagement. He was a senior executive with several Fortune 500 companies. The author of three books, he works with those who want to develop increased sales, inspired leadership, marketing that connects and customer experiences that result in explosive growth. Former clients include IBM, PNC Bank, L’Oreal, First Energy and Microsoft. Kordell is a Certified Speaking Professional, a member of the National Speakers Association and past president of the Ohio chapter.

Kordell Norton, CSP
Kordell Norton is high energy, highly engaging trainer and speaker with a focus on customer experiences and engagement. He was a senior executive with several Fortune 500 companies. The author of three books, he works with those who want to develop increased sales, inspired leadership, marketing that connects and customer experiences that result in explosive growth. Former clients include IBM, PNC Bank, L’Oreal, First Energy and Microsoft. Kordell is a Certified Speaking Professional, a member of the National Speakers Association and past president of the Ohio chapter.

John Novak, CQA
John Novak provides consultation and training to clients looking to improve workflow and methods. John utilizes his experience as an industrial engineer, software developer and internal auditing. John is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. He received his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Bowling Green State University and his master’s degree in business administration from Kent State University.

Ned Parks
Ned Parks is a matter-of-fact business coach and trainer, drawing on his background as a U.S. Army Officer/Helicopter Instructor, business owner and consultant. Combining proven business strategies with humor and creativity, Ned guides individuals and organizations to business and leadership solutions. Ned is particularly skilled at helping leaders connect with their teams and to combine both personal and organizational objectives. Ned works with organizations in healthcare, manufacturing and service, as well as not-for-profits, including libraries, faith organizations and the United Way. Ned is certified as a Registered Corporate Coach by the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches. He studied business at The University of Akron, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Case Weatherhead School of Management.

Marti Peden
Marti Peden has over 25 years as a human resources consultant. She specializes in management training and organizational development. Prior to becoming a consultant, Marti worked in the Training and Organization Development Department at The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company. Marti holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Steubenville and a master’s of education degree in Counseling from Kent State University.

Harry Poston
Harry Poston takes a practical approach to leadership acquired through years of experience with organizations such as Terex, Swagelok, Nutro and Daimler Trucks of North America/Detroit Diesel. He has worked in the operations area of various manufacturing organizations. He has experience with the not-for-profit sector through years of service to the Boy Scouts of America and YMCA Indian Guides and Princesses. Harry received his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the General Motors Institute at Kettering University.

Kay Potetz, Ph.D.
Dr. Kay Potetz is a motivational speaker and management consultant. She has been conducting professional development programs since the early 1980s. Kay is the author of Take It Back: The Personal Power You Give Away Everyday, released in 2012. She has over 25 years of management and administrative experience health care. She holds a certificate in Developing Leadership through Emotional Intelligence from Case Western Reserve University and is a graduate of The Hay Group Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI) accreditation program. Kay received her doctor of philosophy degree in Business Management from Century University and her master’s degree in Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace College.

John Potkalitsky
John Potkalitsky recently retired from Eaton Corporation after 20 years of successfully deploying Lean in manufacturing and office environments. During the last eight years, he was part of a corporate group of Lean managers directly involved in providing leadership in Lean transformation activities at plant sites, both domestic and international. Potkalitsky has extensive experience in developing and delivering interactive workshops to middle managers, frontline supervisors and office professionals. Prior to Eaton, he spent 18 years in manufacturing and materials organizations improving productivity. He has held various positions in shop supervision, manufacturing engineering and materials management at Goodyear Aerospace, Johnson & Johnson (Technicare) and Warner & Swasey. Potkalitsky has a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Kent State University.

Bob Skillman
Bob Skillman is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Lean Master Sensei. He has been training and certifying Black Belts in Six Sigma and Lean methods since 1997. Bob has over 35 years of experience as an engineer. Prior to becoming a trainer,coach and consultant, he held positions ranging from engineering to executive corporate management.

Stephen Skillman
Stephen Skillman is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. He currently serves as consultant/facilitator for Kent State University, training Lean Six Sigma Black Belts. Steve has held positions in the automotive, government ballistics and electrical insulation industries. He received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Lake Erie College.

Helen Stevens-Sheats
Helen Stevens-Sheats is a retired CEO with more than 25 years of leadership and management experience in the behavioral healthcare field. She has facilitated training for all levels of management and staff. She holds a master’s degree in management of rehabilitation services from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree in education from Kent State University.

Scott Tackett
Scott Tackett has over 32 years of operations and human resource management experience. He is an adjunct professor, teaching management business courses at Kent State University at Trumbull. He served as the vice president of human resources and administration for Denman Tire Corporation. His responsibilities included employee/labor relations, recruitment, hiring and retention, all human resource related policies and procedures for both union and non-union environments, safety and health programs and numerous leadership development programs for supervisors through mid- to upper-level management. All of Scott’s programs focus on “real world” application. He earned his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Geneva College.

Lisa Waite
Lisa Waite is a performance consultant with over 20 years of experience in the areas of team development and leadership research. Her interest in understanding team performance, organizational development and culture changed has established her training expertise. Lisa has a passion for helping organizations transform their leaders and employees to impact change. She has provided training to over 80 organizations in the areas of manufacturing, healthcare and not-for-profits that include PepsiCo, FedEx, Anheuser Busch and Heinz Corporation. Lisa holds a master's degree in Organizational Communication from The University of Akron.