About Me

I am a professor of business management and the Mark and Kay
De Cook Endowed Chair in Leadership and Character Development at Central College in Pella, Iowa where I joined the faculty in 1981. I earned my Ph.D. from Iowa State University, my M.B.A. at Drake University, and my undergraduate degree in business management from Central College.

In 1990, I began extensive research aimed at understanding the implications of continuous improvement principles and practices in higher education. This work resulted in two books and numerous articles and presentations. I advocate applying quality principles on a personal level to facilitate personal and professional growth. Since 2000, I have focused on learning; specifically individual, organizational, and lifelong learning. This interest resulted in a book, articles, and presentations.

One way I continued to grow was by conducting teleconference interviews for the International Center for Spirit at Work (ICSW) (spiritatwork.org).  While this organization is now in transition, I am still interested in what leaders can do to create a place where people want to work which is consistent with the mission of ICSW. 

My current emphasis is on life renewal or shifting the paradigm from aging to sage-ing. During the past four years, I have interviewed more than 50 leadership "sages" to learn from their wisdom how to best prepare people to be the kinds of leaders needed in these uncertain times.  Based, in part, on interviews with leadership experts and executive coaches, I have developed a holistic model that addresses the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of people in the second half of life. I am also becoming certified as a sage-ing leader through the Sage-ing Guild (sage-ingguild.org).  Currently, I am using this research and training to write a book to help others to lead as sages.  My passion is leading people to be leaders of their own destinies.

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