2016 Futures Retreat

Phillip Van Hooser

Phillip Van Hooser works with organizations that want to build leadership bench strength, performance and productivity.

From his work in Human Resources/Safety to his leadership in the boardroom to his experience as a leadership training expert for top U.S. companies, Phil knows what it really takes to successfully lead people.

His knowledge and practical experience help companies large and small improve communication skills between employees and superiors, manage conflict, confrontation and change, prepare for succession planning and create a culture of continuous leadership growth.

His clients run the gamut from Alliance Coal and Crocs to REEBOK, Wells Fargo and Westar Energy.

Leaders Ought To Know: 11 Ground Rules for Common Sense Leadership, Van Hooser’s latest book, is a must-read handbook for leaders feeling the pressure to perform.

A member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, Phil is the concept director behind Leaders Ought to Know®, a comprehensive leadership training program which incorporates online and onsite leadership training to transform and sustain leadership growth.

Gary Zelesky

One word that encapsulates Gary: PASSION. Gary’s exciting, enthusiastic energy and explosive humor are definitely memorable, but it is his PASSION for life and the audience and his ability to connect with them in a way few do that makes Gary such a demanded speaker.

Gary started speaking back in the 1970’s to a group of young people whom Gary was challenging to take their life to the next level. Gary’s love for people and his desire to see them take their life to next level is what propelled him to speak to those in need of motivation and hope.

Regardless of the difficult surroundings that Gary found himself in, he also found, if you look—if you choose, there are also incredible human beings who do believe in you. Before long Gary found he was requested to speak at numerous locations around the country and around the world.

In 1986 Gary’s company Youth Invasion trained, tooled and transported thousands of young people to reach the under privileged in sections of our world. Gary was also honored to be a part of the faculty of North Central College in Minneapolis, MN to develop the youth major. Under Gary’s guidance North Central's enrollment grew to its largest size ever.

By 1990 Gary’s speaking schedule around the world required that he devote himself fully to speaking full time.

Since 1990 Gary has traveled around the globe to thousands of organizations such as Boeing Jets, Hilton Hotels, MasterCard International, Hallmark Cards, American Academy of Orthodontists, bringing the message of PASSION FOR LIFE will create your position IN LIFE.

Gary is passionate about being married to wife and best friend Cherisse, where they live in Northern California. Gary is the proud dad of Mark, Leigh Ann and Nicole, grandpa to Jayden & Fiona and dad to Daisy, the best dog in the world

“Life doesn’t get any better!"

Gary is also the author of the ground breaking book, “The Passion Centered Person”