Click on a name below to read more about them.
Mike Rowe - Host of the hit show "Dirty Jobs" on the Discovery Channel
Earvin "Magic" Johnson - NBA Legend, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman - Hosts of the hit show "Mythbusters"
Kevin Clash - Creator, Voice, Actor of "Elmo" the Sesame Street Mega-Character
James Worthy - NBA Hall of Famer, TV personality
Andrew Savitz - Author of The Triple Bottom Line, Corporate Expert
Chad Hymas - Quadriplegic World Record Holder, "10 Best" - Wall Street Journal
Jon Dorenbos - Philadelphia Eagles Current Long Snapper, Master Magician
Tim Sanders - Yahoo's Chief Solutions Officer, Author of The Likeability Factor
Diana Nyad - Marathon Swimming World Record Champion, Radio/TV personality
Mark Sanborn - Leadership Expert, Author of The Fred Factor
Bob Pritchard - Leading Marketing and Sales Expert - Took Coca Cola Global
Bruce Mays - Current Director of Operations for the Dallas Cowboys
Bruce Vincent - President of Alliance for America, Famous Logger
Pegine Echevarria - The First Latina to enter the Speakers Hall of Fame
Mac Bledsoe - Father of NFL Star Drew Bledsoe, Founder of Parenting with Dignity
Jeff Thredgold - The only Economist with the Certified Speaking Professional title
Jim Wight - Son of James Herriot and Author of The Real James Herriot
Walter Kinzie - Top Youth Speaker, TV Personality, Founder of two organizations
Mike Rowe
Motivational, Celebrity Speaker
Host of Discovery Channel's Hit Show "Dirty Jobs"
How many of us get the opportunity to clean up toxic bird poop, dive
for golf balls in alligator-infested waters or assist in the artificial
insemination of a horse? Of course, how many of us would want to? To
Mike Rowe, host of the Discovery Channel series Dirty Jobs, those jobs
(and more) are all part of an honest day's work. By serving as an
apprentice to everyday men and women who perform the jobs no one else
wants, Mike has found a hands-on way to pay tribute to a nation of
unsung heroes, and get more than a few laughs along the way.
He has been on all of the morning and evening talk shows, he was given an entire hour on the Larry King show, and now is Ford's on screen spokesperson in all commercials for their number one product, the Ford F-150.
As a keynote speaker Mike further
pays tribute to the working men and women of today. He discusses the
value of using your own hands in life, being more self-sufficient and
therfore productive. Stepping out of that easy chair to fix things
yourself, or to actually build something. He will inspire audiences to
stand up and be proud to do the jobs that other people wont do... The
behind the scenes jobs that make everyone elses life more comfortable
and easy.
Every week Mike travels to and
participates in, as the title suggests, a “dirty job”. But as anyone
who has seen the show can tell you, not only are many of the jobs
physically dirty, they are also disgusting. The “eweee” factor is quite
high. One week Mike might be scrubbing bird poop from marine buoys
(which as we are learning from the Minneapolis bridge collapse is an
important maintenance task) and the next he might be cleaning out the
sewers of Manhattan and discovering all of the “treasures” found there.
Since the show began, Mike has tried over 150 dirty and disgusting
jobs.
But along the way of creating a
show with a cringe factor, something else happened. Something that has
made Mike Rowe not only a TV celebrity but now a world-class
motivational speaker who has spoken to the employees and management of
companies like Motorola and CBS and who, in speaking, has followed the
likes of Colin Powell.
What Mike Rowe found is that in
doing these “dirty jobs” one had to work beside and learn from those
who do these jobs not just once for a TV show but who do them every day
of their lives. What Mike Rowe and all the viewers found were very
happy and fulfilled and optimistic people who did these jobs.
When Mike began to notice this, he started to ask questions to ascertain why these people with some of the most disgusting jobs were so dog gone happy. And this is what he found: The people who do these dirty jobs have a sense of personal gratification. They see with their own eyes that they have made a contribution to society. They take great pride in what they do because they know, they are convinced, that what they do is important, is vital to the whole. They know that if you remove them from the chain, then the whole structure falls in on itself. They see themselves as not “optional” but “necessary”. And their happiness and sense of contentment spills over to their other relationships in life, they are happy and fulfilled family members, they are kind and generous neighbors. This is the finding that has made the show popular and has made Mike Rowe a celebrity and an in demand speaker.
Chad Hymas
Inspirational, Motivational, Overcome Adversity Speaker
World Record Holding Wheelchair Athlete
"One of the 10 most inspirational speakers in the world."
- The Wall Street Journal
On April 3, 2001 Chad Hymas’ life changed instantaneously when a falling one ton bale of hay broke his neck. He was pronounced a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down with limited function of his arms and hands. However, Chad’s dreams were not paralyzed that day. Chad Hymas is a World Record wheelchair athlete and set a new world record by wheeling his chair from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas (513 miles) in July 2003.
His message inspires, motivates, and moves people to action! His take on change, vision, leadership, safety, and life are among the most moving and inspirational that any speaker has ever conveyed. He is amazing at customizing his speech to fit your theme or topic. Your audience will feel a personal connection to him almost immediately.
For more on Chad, including complete bio, demo video, and testimonials, click here.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson
NBA Legend
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
After NBA Legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s professional basketball career came to an end, Johnson transformed the skills he learned on the court into a successful career as a businessman. He is committed to bringing local growth and financial empowerment to urban and suburban neighborhoods in need through the development of entertainment complexes, restaurants and retail centers.
Through strategic investments, partnerships and endorsements, Johnson has provided products and services that particularly focus on ethnically diverse urban communities. His partnerships with Starbucks, Burger King, 24 Hour Fitness, Best Buy, T.G.I.Fridays, and AMC Magic Johnson Theaters has helped to make his brand is #1 in Urban America. He is also currently Vice President and part owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
In addition to his varied business accomplishments, Mr. Johnson is now internationally recognized as the number one rated athlete for corporate keynote speaking, corporate endorsements, and appearances (TSE Sports & Entertainment Survey, April 2007) and one of the most highly rated celebrities able to influence consumer purchasing power (rated 6 out of 350 according to the 2006 Davie Brown Index). He currently has endorsement partnerships with Abbot Laboratories and TNT.
As Chairman and Founder of his own Foundation, Mr. Johnson continues to focus on improving the quality of life for people residing in urban communities. The Foundation has distributed over 800 college scholarships to deserving minority students, many of which have been recipients of the Foundation’s Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program. To help bridge the digital divide in minority communities, Mr. Johnson currently has 20 Magic Johnson Empowerment Centers. The Foundation also has established four HIV/AIDS clinics and continues to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS through programs like the “I Stand With Magic” campaign to end the disease in the black community in particular.
Mr. Johnson is universally known for his 13 year career in the NBA. His honors include: five national championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, 3 MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star games, a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Mr. Johnson talks about his own life experiences and how hard work and a positive attitude have contributed to his success. Johnson will discuss what works and what doesn't work when confronted with new situations and challenges in life and business.
Jon Dorenbos
Adversity, Motivational Speaker, Master Magician
Current Starting Long Snapper for The Philadelphia Eagles
When Jon Dorenbos is on stage, through his unbelievable magic, he emphasizes the importance of choice and openly shares his childhood tragedy. When he was twelve, his picture-perfect family was destroyed after his father murdered his mother. Jon chose to rise through adversity, set goals (no matter how high), and plan and execute the necessary steps required to accomplish these goals.
At the highest level of his sport, football, Jon is good enough to have just earned a 5 year contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles after playing with them for the last year and a half. He will play for the Eagles through 2012.
He started learning magic at the age of twelve and is now considered a "master magician", earning the respect of top magicians everywhere as well as the casinos in Las Vegas, where he earns thousands of dollars an hour. He had his first paying gig in Las Vegas when he was still in his teens.
On Jon Dorenbos as an entertainer and magician:
"This guy's not just okay; we're talking about awesome right here! He had me entertained for hours." - Garth Brooks, Country Singer
"Unbelievable. I have never seen anything like this!" - Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
For a complete bio of Jon Dorenbos, click here.
Kevin Clash
Motivational, Celebrity Speaker
Voice, Actor of "Elmo", Sesame Street Character
Let the master puppeteer help you find your inner Elmo.
His speech is based on his new book, “My Life as a Furry Red Monster”
Actress Julianne Moore had to say about this book, “This delightful book illuminates a man’s journey from child to parent, student to teacher, puppeteer to Muppeteer, and reveals to us who our favorite red furry monster really is – a gifted, humane, empathetic entertainer named Kevin Clash. His book is a meditation on the things that really matter – to Elmo and to all of us.”
Kevin Clash, whose characters include Elmo, Hoots the Owl and Baby Natasha, is Sesame Street’s Senior Puppet Coordinator and Muppet Captain. He began building puppets at the age of ten and performed on Baltimore's Harbor Front and local television as a teenager.
Clash's first television work was for the CBS affiliate in Baltimore. He came to Sesame Street after attracting the attention of Muppet designer Kermit Love. Clash's film credits include Jim Henson's 1986 fantasy film, Labyrinth, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I and II, Muppet Treasure Island, Muppets from Space, and Elmo in Grouchland. His television work includes The Great Space Coaster, Captain Kangaroo, Dinosaurs and Muppets Tonight. He also was Co-Executive Producer for Elmopalooza, CinderElmo, and Elmo's World; Co-¬Producer for The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland; and also directs Sesame Street episodes and other projects.
Most recently Clash directed and co-produced the home video series Sesame Beginnings for Sesame Workshop. Clash won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series for his work as Elmo and Hoots the Owl in Season 21 and Season 35, 37, 38 and in 2001-2006 for his work as Co-Executive Producer for Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series.
Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman
Hosts of Discovery Channel's hit show "Mythbusters"
It's a tough job separating truth from urban legend, but the MythBusters are here to serve. Each week on the Discovery Channel, special-effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman take on three myths and use modern-day science to show you what's real and what's fiction.
Savage and Hyneman do more than explain how something may or may not be scientifically possible. Through trial and error, they actually demonstrate it.
Adam Savage's fascination with creating things started when he began building his own toys at age 5, and he hasn't stopped since. He's served as an animator, graphic designer, stage and interior designer, carpenter, welder and scenic painter, and he's worked in everything from metal to glass, plastics to injection molding, and pneumatics to animatronics. For the past eight years, Adam has concentrated on the special-effects industry, honing his skills through more than 100 television commercials and 12 feature films, including Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Galaxy Quest, Terminator 3, A.I. and the Matrix sequels. He's also designed props and sets for Coca-Cola, Hershey's, Lexus and a host of New York and San Francisco theater companies.
And now, in addition to co-hosting Discovery Channel's MythBusters, Adam Savage also teaches advanced model making, most recently in the industrial design department at the San Francisco Academy of Art. And somehow, he also finds time to devote to his own art - his sculptures have been showcased in over 40 shows in San Francisco, New York and Charleston, W.V.
Hailing from Indiana farm country, Jamie Hyneman, like his co-host, is also a multifaceted man: he's a wilderness survival expert, a boat captain, a diver, a linguist, an animal wrangler, a machinist and a chef, to name a few. Hyneman's career has been equally diverse: he earned a degree in Russian languages and literature and ran a sailing/diving charter business in the Caribbean for several years before he moved over to the visual-effects industry.
Andy Savitz
Business Speaker, Author of The Triple Bottom Line
Andrew Savitz is a creative business leader, advisor, author and speaker, with over 20 years of hands-on experience assisting corporations to become leaders in sustainability, environmental performance and reporting.
An internationally known expert on corporate social responsibility and sustainability, Mr. Savitz is the author of The Triple Bottom Line: How the Best Run Companies are Achieving Economic, Social and Environmental Success - and How You Can Too (Jossey-Bass, September, 2006). He is a frequent keynote speaker on this subject.
As a lead partner in PricewaterhouseCooper’s global Sustainability Business Services practice, Savitz was PwC’s liaison delegate to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and represented the firm on environmental and sustainability related matters at the Conference Board. Andy authored PwC’s widely cited 2002 Sustainability Survey- the first of its kind in the United States.
For more on Andy including full bio and professional history, click here
Diana Nyad
Inspirational, Motivational, Adversity, Radio, Television Personality, Celebrity Speaker
World Champion, World Record Holding Athlete
Over the past twenty years, Diana has earned a reputation as a riveting speaker. She combines her talent for dramatic storytelling with a natural sense of humor and a charismatic stage presence. She never uses notes. She speaks from her heart and her audiences are left both entertained and inspired.
In 1979, Diana Nyad plunged into the history books by completing the longest swim in history. The distance was 102.5 miles from the coast of Bimini to the Florida shore. This incredible world record, the longest swim by a man or a woman without the aid of a cage, still stands today. Diana was front page news throughout the Western world, the lead story for Walter Cronkite on the CBS Evening News, and many times guest of the Tonight Show.
For more on Diana, including complete bio and demo video, click here.
Mark Sanborn
Business, Leadership, Motivational Speaker
Mark is an international bestselling author and noted authority on leadership, team building, customer service and change.
Sanborn is the author of seven books, including Teamwork: Making Teamwork Work, Sanborn on Success and Upgrade: Proven Strategies for Dramatically Increasing Personal and Professional Success. Mark's book The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary, is a national and international best seller which debuted at #3 on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list and is one of the 100 bestselling, nonfiction titles of 2004 according to Publisher's Weekly. Internationally it is a bestseller in India and has sold over a quarter million copies in China.
He has created and appeared in 20 videos and numerous audio training programs. His video series, Teambuilding: How to Motivate and Manage People made it to the #2 spot for bestselling educational video series in the U.S.
For more on Mark, including complete bio and demo video, click here.
Bruce Vincent
Famous Logger, Agricultural, Motivational Speaker
In 1984, after completing college, Bruce moved his family back to Libby, Montana and joined Vincent Logging as business manager. Vincent Logging, a small family owned business, was started by Bruce’s father in 1968. Bruce is a third generation logger.
In 1988, Bruce helped form Communities For A Great Northwest, a non-profit education and information group dedicated to the intelligent use of our natural resources. The group has members throughout the Northwest. The Great Northwest Log Haul, which helped focus national attention on resource supply problems in the Northwest, was the first of many of the group’s activities.
Bruce is currently serving as President of Communities For A Great Northwest; is a partner in the public relations firm ENVIRONOMICS, serves as Executive Director of the Preserve America Presidential Award winning Provider Pals™ cultural exchange program, serves on the board of the Evergreen Foundation, the board of the Pacific Logging Congress, and serves on the Kootenai Forest Resource Advisory Committee, the Cabinet/Yaak Grizzly Bear Community Involvement Team, and the State of Montana’s Thompson Chain of Lakes Citizen Management Council.
He speaks throughout the United States and the world to groups including resource, recreation, banking and business associations, legislative bodies and anyone else who would like to hear about our rural cultures. Bruce is a highlighted national university campus speaker for the Young America Foundation.
Bruce often provides testimony on resource issues before Congress. He has been reported on by Outside, Wheat Life, Range, Tree Farmer, Time and Audubon magazines, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and other periodicals. Bruce has appeared on “60 Minutes” and participated in radio shows, documentary videos and news broadcasts throughout the nation and in several countries including Canada, Iceland, Scotland, Australia. Bruce has appeared on the cover of Evergreen Magazine and was a highlighted “hero” in William Perry Pendley’s book It Takes A Hero.
During Bruce’s career he has been awarded the national Timber Industry Activist of the year, the Montana Timberman of the Year, the Sylvan Award for service to the national timber industry, the Public Service Award from the Association of Consulting Foresters of America, is this years Women in Agricultures “Keeper of the Tenth” award winner, is the 2007 recipient of National Agri-Women’s Veritas Award, and has been inducted into the Libby High School Hall of Fame.
Bruce holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Bruce has been married to his wife Patti Jo for over 30 years and has six children: Chas, 30; Echo Jo, 27; Son In Law Justin , Lacie, 24; Son-In-Law Cory , and Vance, 21.
Bruce’s family settled in Montana in 1904. His current activities represent a family commitment to responsible environmentalism.
Bob Pritchard
“International Marketer of the Year”
Marketing, Sales, Business, Motivational Speaker
Some of his recent accomplishments and accolades, which have molded him into the top speaker on marketing and sales, are...
Winner of the ‘International Marketer of the Year’ award for the global promotion for “100 Years…100 Movies” in 1999 for the American Film Institute. This event was the celebration of 100 years of Hollywood movie making and included a global television special, a special edition of “Newsweek’ and over 1000 hours of US television dedicated to the top 100 movies of all time. Other winners of the award include Steve Jobs (Apple), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Andrew Oh (LG Group), Kenneth Strottman (Strottman International) and Jorma Ollila (Nokia).
President of the American Institute of Sales Marketing and Management.
As CEO of publicly listed company Powerplay International Limited, a television, media and sports conglomerate, Bob obtained vast experience balancing the requirements and obligations of a public company to the Stock Exchange, the market, the corporation, its strategic alliances and its shareholders.
Marketing Director for the Inaugural Formula One in Australia. Responsible for Government negotiation, establishment of the course, the format and staging of the week long event, all marketing, corporate negotiation, ticket sales, licensing, sponsorships. Led a team of 10 marketing and promotion professionals and hundreds of project specialists.
Created a customer relationship and “awesome service” program at every level of the business, for Nippon Travel (the world’s second largest business travel company), which resulted in a $105 million profit turnaround in the first 12 months of its implementation.
Created a media, in-store, on-pack promotion for Frito Lay in a strategic relationship with Scholastic, which resulted in an increase in sales for Frito Lay of $115 million in a 3-month period.
Created lifestyle promotions and tie-ins for Coca-Cola in 16 countries, working with licenses, distributors, retailers and media to create major ‘incremental product sales’ programs in individual countries, accounting for different cultures, different regulations and diverse media channels.
For more on Bob, including complete bio and demo video, click here.
Jeff Thredgold, CSP
Economist, Business Speaker
Jeff Thredgold is an expert on the future course of the U.S. economy, the value of education, the direction of interest rates, and the competitive position of U.S. companies.
Jeff is the only economist in the world to have ever received the designation of CSP, or Certified Speaking Professional, the highest earned designation in professional speaking.
His career includes 23 years with $97 billion banking giant KeyCorp, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Economist. He now serves as economic consultant to $50 billion Zions Bancorporation, which has banks in ten states, as well as other clients.
Jeff has appeared dozens of times on CNBC-TV…the nation's business network, as well as numerous appearances on CNN, and is quoted regularly in the nation’s financial press. He is a monthly contributor for the national publication Blue Chip Financial Forecasts and quarterly USA TODAY economic forecast surveys.
Click here for more on Jeff, including his full bio, demo videos, testimonials, and more
Bruce Mays
Director of Operations, The Dallas Cowboys
Bruce Mays has been the Director of Operations for the Dallas Cowboys Football Club for approximately 19 years. His tenure with the Cowboys, quite possibly the most storied sports franchise in the world, began in 1989 when Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner and General Manager, purchased the team.
Throughout his career, Mays has worked with some of the best minds in coaching, athletic administration, and sports business. Mays has won seven National Championships with college teams and five World Championships with Professional teams.
Some of the distinguished coaches and administrators Mays has been associated with include Jimmy Johnson (University of Miami, Dallas Cowboys), Wade Phillips (Dallas Cowboys), Bill Parcells (Dallas Cowboys), Barry Switzer (Dallas Cowboys), Johnny Majors (University of Pittsburgh, University of Tennessee), Lou Holtz (North Carolina State University), Bob Marcum (Kansas University), Dick Young (Oklahoma State University) and many more. Mays also worked with the Massillon Tigers, a high school team that is one of Ohio’s most renowned football programs.
Mays has gained valuable knowledge, skills and wisdom from each of the above leaders. These athletic entrepreneurs demonstrated and taught what it takes to make an organization a success.
After being associated with some of the most legendary athletic minds of our generation, Mays has developed ideas and concepts which can be implemented by any organization. Mays uses his more than 40 years of experience in the athletic world to discuss how to be a difference maker, a team player, and a winner.
Mays discussion topics include how organizations can bond into a responsible team, which works together, about becoming a leader both at work and at home, and he also explains how personal accountability, preparation and practice are just as important to ones productivity as actual performance and talent. Mays reminds his audiences what it takes to become a difference maker.
Mike Rayburn
Entertaining, Humorous Motivational Speaker
Musical Satirist, Guitar Virtuoso
Mike Rayburn is an award-winning speaker and entertainer with a truly unique presentation. Known as the "Worlds’ Funniest Guitar Virtuoso", Mike uses his astounding guitar creations, uproarious songs and presentation skills to encourage, challenge and inspire his audiences to step beyond their perceived limitations. Mike draws from a wealth of life experiences as an adventurer, comedian, published songwriter, author, philanthropist, and father, to deliver a keynote presentation which is completely energizing and entertaining.
Featured in Newsweek, USA Today, Billboard, Gig, and on the nationally acclaimed and syndicated “Bob and Tom” radio show, Mike has received standing ovations at all 8 of his Carnegie Hall performances. He is the only entertainer ever voted “America’s Campus Entertainer of the Year” 3 out of 4 years in a poll of more than 5300 colleges nationwide. In 2006 and 2007 Mike was nominated Speaker of the Year by American Entertainment Magazine and was featured on the cover of Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the top 26 speakers in America! In 2007 he was voted Best Solo Artist by American Entertainment Magazine.
KEYNOTE: “Take A Step Beyond…!”
In his inspiring keynote, “Take A Step Beyond…!” Mike Rayburn does what no other presenter can do. Not only is Mike Rayburn a world-class guitarist and stand-up comedian, he is an authority on personal development and human potential. In this totally unique presentation Mike uses his guitar and comedy to illustrate three, simple, powerful tools everyone needs and anyone can use to leap beyond their perceived limitations. These are the tools which took Mike from playing for seven people in a bar in Virginia to standing ovations at Carnegie Hall. They work. For anyone. And everyone. Always. It is one thing to say that something is true. It’s completely another to actually prove it right there on stage. That is just what Mike Rayburn does. You will leave Mike's program energized, entertained, and totally inspired to take on new challenges! (Oh, and you'll laugh so hard it hurts)
To view a demo video of Mike's presentation, click here
Pegine Echevarria
Diversity, Adversity, Leadership, Motivational Speaker
Former Bronx girl gang member, Pegine Echevarria, joined a new “gang”, after being inducted into the Motivational Speakers Hall of Fame, its first Latina. Pegine’s fellow 58, “gang members” include such luminaries as Dale Carnegie, Zig Ziglar and Tony Robbins.
Pegine waited on tables, saved her money and moved to Europe where she turned her life around. She launched two businesses both which she sold at a profit. She returned to the states to finish her degree in improvisational and audience participation theatre. She then earned a Masters in Social Work, concentrating on group and organizational development.
She paid for college by working as a teacher’s assistant at the New York City Board of Education. Her transformation continued from teen gang member to receptionist to salesperson to VP of sales and eventually becoming a business owner. Along the way, Pegine designed and directed a Latino family support center that was named one of the top ten in the country by The Harvard Group Review.
For more on Pegine, including full bio and demo video, click here
James Worthy
Celebrity, Sports Legend, Leadership, Teamwork
James gives a very uplifting and funny motivational speech that focuses on teamwork and leadership. Very rarely will you get a sports legend who can deliver an entertaining keynote speech which is full of content... with James Worthy, that is exactly what you get.
Destined for a career in basketball, the 6’9" athlete received a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina. Under the tutelage of famed coach, Dean Smith, James Worthy played with such dream teammates as Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins and was named to virtually every All-American team following his junior year as a Tar Heel. After being named MVP of the Final Four in 1982, he was the #1 overall pick in the 1982 draft, joining the reigning NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers for 12 consecutive years, Worthy earned the name "Big Game James" for his dazzling performance in championship playoffs. He averaged 21.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in 143 playoff contests.
On December 10, 1995, James Worthy became only the sixth player in Lakers history to have his jersey retired. Worthy was most recently inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, topping a long list of noteworthy statistics, including seven-time NBA All-Star, member of three NBA Championship teams in 1985, 1987, 1988, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 1988, NBA All-rookie team in 1983, All-NBA Team from 1989-1990, 1990-1991, career record of 16,320 points, College Player of the Year in 1982, MVP of NCAA Championships in 1982 and, finally, he was rated by NBA one of the 50 all-time best pro players. Since retiring from the game in 1994, Worthy commenced a second career as owner and president of Big Game James, Inc., a sports marketing firm specializing in retired athletes.
By building on his background of commercial endorsements and public appearances, Worthy’s schedule is now devoted to appearances on the corporate and collegiate lecture circuits, commercial and animation voiceovers, and most notably, sports broadcasting. He currently hosts FOX Sports News twice nightly, five evenings per week, on the critically acclaimed 24-hour FOX Sports Network. James Worthy has also maintained his commitment to helping youngsters achieve their greatest potential, most notably through his active involvement in charitable organizations such as Big Brothers of L.A., Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls Club. Proceeds from his 1997 golf tournament benefited the American Diabetes Association, and he was recently inducted into the Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame.
Jim Wight, son of James Herriot
Author of The Real James Herriot, the famous veterinarian
James Alfred Wight, known the world over as James Herriot, the world’s most famous veterinarian and author, continues to be incredibly popular years after his death. While parts of his life were shared with his fans through his books and the television series All Creatures Great & Small, Alf Wight remained a very private man.
Recently his son, Jim Wight, a veterinarian who worked alongside his father in their Yorkshire animal hospital for more than 20 years, shared considerable information about him when he wrote the authorized biography The Real James Herriot.
No one is better poised to write the biography of James Herriot than the son who worked alongside him in the Yorkshire veterinary practice when Herriot became an internationally bestselling author. Now, in this warm and poignant biography, Jim Wight ventures beyond his father's life as a veterinarian to reveal the man behind the stories--the private individual who refused to allow fame and wealth to interfere with his practice or his family.
With access to all of his father's papers, correspondence, manuscripts, and photographs--and intimate recollections of the farmers, locals, and friends who populate the James Herriot books--only Jim Wight could write this definitive biography of the man who was not only his father but his best friend.
The careers of Jim Wight and his father, Alf Wight (aka James Herriot) are similar in many ways. Both men qualified from the Glasgow Veterinary College, both worked at the practice of Sinclair and Wight in Thirsk, England (Skeldale House in Herriot’s books) and both wrote their first books when they were in their 50s - Alf at the age of 53 and Jim at 56.
All too often the phrase "a must read" is thrown around by people who review books. The Real James Herriot is a very good biography about a very interesting man - and certainly "a must read" for Herriot fans.
Walter Kinzie
Motivational, Youth, Overcome Adversity Speaker
Early in his life, it was clear that Walter Kinzie was not another kid looking to just get by. Raised in a low income farming family, Walter had big goals for himself and quickly understood that with the right attitude, discipline, and sacrifice, anything is possible. Those lessons would prove valuable every day in Walter’s walk of life.
This young man has served on numerous officer teams for youth based groups like The National FFA Organization, 4-H, Student Congress, and other academic and civic foundations. Walter has co-hosted a national syndicated radio show and founded two companies: Walter Kinzie Productions involving the music entertainment industry and CARES Awareness Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit foundation designed to raise money for children with rare blood based diseases.
The former Kansas State University student has worked on numerous political campaigns at the local, state and national levels.
For more on Walter, including a full bio and description, click here.