Robertson Lowstuter Staff Clyde C. Lowstuter, MCC President & CEO Clyde Lowstuter is a seasoned peak performance business consultant, coach, and head of Robertson Lowstuter, his executive development firm he launched in 1981. He has been awarded the MCC, Master Certified Coach, from the International Coach Federation, the top certification awarded to less than 1% of coaches worldwide. He is experienced in managing organizational change, leadership development, career counseling, and strategic high performance team building. He has worked extensively throughout Europe, Australia, Asia, and North America. Clyde is particularly skilled in organizational problem diagnosis and in creating systems and approaches that promote productivity, profitability, and effectiveness. He is a prolific writer and professional speaker who enables individuals and teams to break through self-limiting roadblocks and achieve success. He is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC), and the Association of Career Professionals International (ACP International). He has an MA in Labor and Industrial Relations with an emphasis in Organizational Psychology from the University of Illinois and a BA in Psychology from Aurora University, where he received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002. Clyde is the author of two acclaimed McGraw-Hill books, In Search of the Perfect Job: 8 Steps to the $250,000+ Executive Job That's Right for You, a best-selling 2007 edition, and Network Your Way to Your Next Job...Fast! as well as leading-edge audio programs, $ix Figure Networking, Power Interviewing, and Empower Your Career and Your Life. Daniel F. Barber Senior Vice President Dan Barber brings to Robertson Lowstuter a wealth of experience advising senior executives both as an internal and external business coach. Dan is highly skilled in career transition consulting and has a 30-year career in human resources management within the healthcare industry manufacturing, distribution, and home healthcare service businesses. He has an extensive background in organization and human resources planning, executive staffing, performance management, and employee relations. He has held several senior human resources management positions with American Hospital Supply, Baxter Healthcare, and Caremark International. Dan has expertise in counseling and career development and is particularly accomplished in assisting organizations to manage requirements for successful business reengineering, acquisition, and divestiture initiatives. Dan is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received a BS in Economics. Stephen Axel Senior Vice President Stephen Axel, a successful and accomplished marketing executive, complements the Robertson Lowstuter team with over 25 years of domestic and international experience. He demonstrated his ability to think strategically and implement tactically at American Hospital Supply, Baxter Healthcare, Caremark International, Vasco Data Security, and Aladdin in a wide variety of operating roles. He is known for his creative value option strategies, deep knowledge of enabling technology, and people development skills. He has served as a Board member for a healthcare start-up, was chosen as Chair of an open standard committee by IBM, and has hands-on experience in leading successful acquisition integrations. Stephen received his BA in Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Carolyn E. Lowstuter Senior Vice President Carolyn Lowstuter has more than 20 years of experience in consultancy, entrepreneuring, franchise operations, service, and non-profit. She is skilled in executive coaching, high performance team building, career transition consulting, training and development, and innovative marketing. She is highly effective in inspiring and motivating others to take charge of their lives and careers. From her own experiences, Carolyn coaches spouses dealing with job loss to help resolve their concerns and to strengthen their role in supporting career transition options. She co-designs the training curriculum for the RL Institute for coaching and team building initiatives, including interpersonal skill development and experiential group learning. Carolyn's advanced coaching and leadership training comes from the Coaches Training Institute, and she is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) and the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA). She is a graduate of Albion College with a BA in French and English and has an MAT in Learning and French from the University of Illinois. She also has her MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, where she participated in international conferences on business strategies for a global society in Cambridge and at the EC in Brussels. She maintains a strong international network. Sharon E. Noha Senior Vice President Sharon Noha is a seasoned marketing and sales executive with 20 years of achieving significant results. She personifies "Customer Service" at Robertson Lowstuter where she is responsible for business development across the breadth of RL's product/service offerings including Executive Coaching, High Performance Team Building, Change Leadership, and Executive Career Transition. Sharon is innovative, results-oriented, and skilled in developing creative business solutions for organizations that directly and positively impact their productivity and profitability. She is effective in inspiring and mobilizing others into action. She is a dynamic public speaker with solid experience in leadership, team development, and public relations. Sharon is actively engaged in supporting the HR community in her leadership role with RL's Executive Connections group and the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC). Prior to joining Robertson Lowstuter, Sharon achieved national recognition for her outstanding performance at IBM where she marketed comprehensive systems solutions to select national accounts. Sharon has a BA in Communications from Northwestern University. Paul M. Duski Senior Vice President Paul Duski is an experienced business management, business development, and human resources executive with more than 30 years of experience. While holding senior level human resources positions with Baxter International, Signode Corporation, and Motorola, Paul's responsibilities included employee relations, staffing, EEO, training and development, compensation, and benefits. Paul managed company reengineering activities, divisional divestitures, and facility relocations and closings. Additionally, Paul established and led a successful temporary staffing franchise in the Chicago area and served as its General Manager and Business Development Executive for more than 12 years. Paul is a consummate marketer and has shared his networking expertise with many individuals from diverse industries during their career transitions. Paul is actively involved in leadership roles in the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC). He also serves on the Board of the Barrington Career Center. A native of Chicago, Paul earned a BS in Human Resources and an MBA from DePaul University. He is a member of the DePaul University Athletic Hall of Fame. Kenneth E. Kempka Senior Vice President Ken Kempka is an experienced business management and human resources professional with more than 25 years of experience in employee relations, compensation, benefits, training, staffing, and employee communications. While holding senior level human resources positions at ACNielsen Company, Ken managed corporate downsizings, plant closings, and conducted career counseling with individuals at all levels of the organization. His areas of special expertise are in HR legal areas, including EEO and affirmative action. Ken founded a human resources consulting firm and served as President and General Manager for 7 years. He is an excellent public speaker, writer, and seminar leader. He has spoken at the National Conference of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) on methods of improving employee motivation and morale. Additionally, Ken has written several manuals on current business issues in human resources. Ken has served on the HR Advisory Board for the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) and for the Northern Illinois Business Association. A native of Wisconsin, Ken holds a BS in Marketing from Marquette University. Ronald T. Hirasawa Vice President Ron Hirasawa is a management and strategy consultant, and peak performance coach. His career encompasses 30 years of success in leading Fortune 500 teams in marketing, sales, new product development, operations, and consulting environments. Prior to his consulting and coaching, Ron created a $100 million Midwest regional snack foods conglomerate from three separate companies and led the turnaround. He worked in sales, marketing, and advertising for P&G, Johnson Wax, United Brands, Leo Burnett, and Don Tennant companies. He launched American Marketing Services Corporation, a consulting company. For the past 10 years Ron has advised Fortune 500 companies on doing business with the Japanese. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict, reaching the rank of Captain. He holds a BS in Industrial Management from the Wharton School of Business and an MBA in Marketing from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, where he lectures on marketing, entrepreneurship, international marketing, and strategic management. Linda E. Balkin, PCC, CPCC Vice President Linda coaches leaders to increase their overall effectiveness and contribution to their organizations as well as their own professional and personal fulfillment. She has more than 15 years of experience working with executives and senior managers in the areas of leadership development, team cohesiveness, communication effectiveness, style flexibility, new role transition, and career development. Her client work spans multiple industries, including: financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, and technology. Linda began her career as a strategy and marketing consultant in the healthcare industry where she worked with senior leadership of some of the largest healthcare systems in the country. She then moved into executive search where she recruited leadership talent for a variety of organizations, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to high growth start-ups. She is certified through the International Coach Federation and Coaches Training Institute. Linda blends her individual coaching with group facilitation and workshops. Linda earned her MBA at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and her BA from The University of Michigan. Josette Goldberg, SPHR, CCP Vice President Josette Goldberg is a seasoned coach with nationwide experience in assisting leaders and teams to profitably grow their businesses. Josette is a successful businessperson and executive coach and has worked at an executive level for several companies, including American Express, Household Finance, Enesco Giftware, and Trizec Properties. Her persuasive and collaborative style supports rapid resolution of business issues and productive relationships. She has demonstrated success in assisting her clients to meet their financial and operational goals by focusing on analysis, planning, and execution. Josette challenges leaders to understand every aspect of their company, evaluate what makes them and their organization unique, and leverage the talents of each individual team member. Her top-down, results-oriented approach to coaching has a cascading effect on the entire organization. Her philosophy: When employees see their leaders re-energized and armed with the fundamentals of leadership, teamwork, and personal effectiveness, the whole company and its bottom line grows. Josette is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University and is accredited by the International Business Coach Institute (IBCI). She is a member of the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC) and the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). She holds a Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation. She has served as a mentor for the DePaul School of New Learning and has co-founded and led several business networking groups. Pat Mater, MSIR Vice President Pat is an accomplished human resources professional and valued business partner with 25 years of experience adding value to executives, their teams, and their organizations. Pat combines significant consulting and coaching skills with an extensive background in leadership development, staffing, training and development, career enhancement, and employee relations. Pat has worked for a number of Fortune 500 companies at the plant, division, and corporate levels. She is known as a strategist with a high-energy, collaborative leadership style. Pat worked for Purdue University, Owens-Corning Fiberglas, American Hospital Supply, Baxter Healthcare, and Caremark International before starting her own successful consulting firm. Pat is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), and the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC). She studied at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. She has a BBA from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MS in Industrial Relations from Purdue University. Go to our section entitled RL Expertise to see how our RL teams operate in our consulting venues of Change Management, Career Assessment and Planning, Career Enhancement and Development, and Career Transition and Outplacement.   Bannockburn | Staff