Built From Scratch. Led With Heart.
Rooting for the Underdog. Always.
In 1997, I joined Incept as the sixth employee on the phones, selling Total Gyms promoted by Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley. I didn’t know it then, but that leap past a fear of public speaking would shape the rest of my career.
Over the years, I stepped into more and more leadership—manager to executive to CEO and eventually owner. Each step taught me the same truth: leadership is about creating space where people can thrive, where trust runs deep, and where kindness drives every decision.
When I eventually passed Incept into new ownership, I carried with me a lesson from one of my favorite parables: that true success means making space for balance, purpose, and—most of all—community.
Partnerships built on trust for more than 30 years
Leadership Grounded in People
Respect, support, and joy are strategies too.
Sometimes leadership shows up in the smallest ways.
Like putting on a Santa suit, because what people needed in the moment was joy and a reminder that they mattered.
Other times, it means reshaping the workplace.
At Incept, I co-developed a management study that confirmed what experience had already taught me: people thrive when they have a measure of control in high-demand jobs. That insight shaped how I led and the programs I built.
- Through a partnership with Chime, employees gained more freedom in how they managed and invested their earnings.
- We worked with Coleman to provide access free counseling during the workday, removing time and cost as barriers to care.
These weren’t perks. They were proof that people were valued.
That commitment showed up in the recognition we received. Over the last 15 years, Incept was named one of the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Top Workplaces all but once—not by outside evaluators, but through the anonymous surveys of our own employees. Those honors mattered most to me, because they confirmed we were prioritizing the right things.
Big or small, the message was always the same: you matter, and we believe in you.
Curiosity as a Catalyst
Big ideas flourish when open minds come together.
I’ve learned that when big ideas take root locally, they strengthen the fabric of community.
Helping launch TEDxAkron was one of the proudest chapters of my career. From the start, our vision was to create “the most curious community in Akron”—a place where open minds could gather around big ideas.
The stage at TEDx Akron
Communities flourish where curiosity opens hearts and connections grow into something lasting.
What I loved most as the Founder were the introductions it sparked. Again and again, people would say, “I have someone you need to meet.” Those connections opened doors to some of the most interesting and impactful people in town, reminding me that curiosity and generosity are at the center of thriving communities.
That same spirit carried into other efforts I was part of, like co-chairing the Akron-Canton Foodbank’s Harvest for Hunger Campaign. Whether sparking new ideas or rallying neighbors around a cause, the message was the same: strong communities are built together.
Awards and Recognition
Proof that when people come first, success follows.
Top Workplaces: 13-time Honoree
Based entirely on anonymous employee feedback, this award recognizes Incept as one of the nation’s most credible employers. Proof that our culture of trust and support matters.
Northeast Ohio Smart 50: 6-time Award Winner
Being included on the Smart 50 list six times was a humbling reminder that leadership is never a solo effort. It’s about the team and the community that makes success possible.
Weatherhead 100: 4-time recipient
Recognition as one of Northeast Ohio’s most innovative and growing companies is meaningful. Through the dedication of our team, we earned this honor four times.
Smart Culture Awards: 4-time honoree
In addition to Incept receiving this award 4 times, I had the opportunity to serve as a panel member and event advisor for two of those years.
Legacy by the Numbers
Behind each figure is a story of trust and impact.
12M+
Hours of client work
10k+
People employed
30+
Years in business
200+
Organizations supported
$20B+
Sales generated for clients
20M+
Customer conversations