References

Dr. Wayne Babchuk
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
(402)-472-7942, (402)-617-6223

    Through Wayne and the University of Nebraska, I have had the pleasure and the opportunity to present training programs for child service specialists across all parts of the country. Our long and interconnected association grew out of mutual respect and dedication to the sort of programming we could provide for in-service professionals. I clearly consider the University of Nebraska to be a leader in the development, marketing and delivery of quality conferences. Wayne can certainly speak to my abilities both on and off the platform.

Ken Young, Program Developer
Bureau of Education & Research
Bellevue, Washington
(877)-821-5471 

    Ken called me out of the clear blue a few years ago. He was interested in partnering with me to do training through BER, one of the largest and most respected educational seminar companies in the country. Ken's guidance helped me to focus, focus, focus on how to get better at what I do. (Ken is probably the only person on this list of references who sat through my entire presentation more than once.) Ken and BER are absolutely top-shelf all the way. I continue to be extremely thankful he made that call.

Don Rolfe, Educational Specialist
Education Service Center, Region XV
San Angelo, Texas
(915)-658-6571 

    I have had the distinct honor and pleasure to do Special Education training for Don with Region XV ESC in San Angelo. Don has a heart for young people who struggle, and he's made it his life's work to help us all find ways to reach them better. If I ever have a question about Special Education and how it's being affected by changes in federal and state law, Don is my go-to resource. He really knows his stuff, plus he's an up-beat kind of guy. In his area of specialty, that's definitely an advantage.

Kim Jones, Program Coordinator
University of Arkansas, Division of Continuing Education
(479)-575-3604 

    Although I have only worked with Kim for just a few years, I see here as a top professional in the business of developing and hosting quality continuing education training. She makes my job of working with a large university a pleasure indeed.

Kolette Palacios, Office of Continuing Education
Texas State University-San Marcos
(512)-245-2507 

    This is not a typo; this university is in San Marcos, Texas, not California. Actually, this university is one of my alma maters (back when it was Southwest Texas State University). Kolette and I have worked together for almost 20 years. I deeply value her as a client and a friend.

Mark Childs, Vice President of Child Care
South Texas Children's Home
Beeville, Texas
(361)-375-2101 

    Mark is the only person on this list who can attest to my interaction and skills with young people directly. There was a time when I spent two days every month seeing youngsters who had been placed into this residential group home. I think they were actually doing therapy on ME ... at least that's how much I valued my time there. I regularly did training at the home and spent time, cottage by cottage, working with houseparents.

Billy Vaughn, General Manager
North Park Lincoln-Mercury
San Antonio, Texas
(210)-341-8841 

    Why would a speaker who works almost exclusively with child service professionals add a reference from a totally different industry? Well, I just happened to do a "kick-off-the-new-year" breakfast keynote for Billy's organization (the largest retail seller of Lincoln-Mercury products in the United States). Folks, it was a "hoot;" I had a fantastic time. I guess I learned that messages incorporating loyalty, hope and encouragement, especially when gently seasoned with the ability to laugh occasionally at ourselves,  pretty much work with ANY audience.