Georgina Barr started her podiatry career in response to the Christchurch earthquakes after working in the arts sector.

Georgina works full time at SportsMed in Christchurch. She also runs her own business, Barrina Ltd, where she provides a custom pointe shoe fitting service, lectures on anatomy and biomechanical physiology and engages in dance mentoring.

Georgina created the Podiatrist for Dancers Facebook page to allow open connections between dancers and the sharing of knowledge on managing dance injuries.

She also created pre-pointe and dance assessments for ballet dancers wanting to progress to pointe work, and works with the Juon Pointe System.

Georgina is an affiliated committee member of the Christchurch Ballet Society, a Friend of the Royal Academy of Dance, a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, and she has training in the Juon Pointe Shoe Fitting System.

In 2019 Georgina will be starting a Masters degree at Lincoln University in Applied Science with a focus on dance medicine.

My passion for health came while I was in college based on my own health journey. I didn’t have a healthy relationship with food and didn’t like eating my veggies growing up. I was always trying to “diet” at a young age. Being overweight growing up provided its challenges back in the 80’s when it wasn’t the norm. My mother put me on diet before I transferred to a new high school so I wouldn’t be casted out. During high school I learned to love being fit and participated in extracurricular activities because I loved how it made me feel. Till this day exercise is for my mental and emotional health and wellbeing.  

After gaining the Freshman 10, I began to exercise and eat better (what was “better” in the 1990’s..aka fat free fad) and lost 23 pounds that second semester. My love for fitness grew and my major changed from nutrition to exercise science. During my first job after college I began suffering from migraines. I chalked it up as being a monthly thing. Then they began more frequently where I was getting them weekly. 

The stress of my first job caused a domino effect of my health from constipation, mild depression, fatigue, acid reflux and I was only in my late 20’s. I was put on meds for my reflux and migraines.  I had an adverse reaction to the migraine medicine that snapped me into wanting more for myself. I knew back then that it was not normal to feel tired and old before I was 30. After I turned 29 and my husband and I began to talk about starting a family, I knew I had to get myself healthy and well. A dietician suggested I see her naturopathic doctor for food sensitivities. I January of 2006, I was told I had to eliminate gluten, soy and dairy and decrease my intense exercise regimen. So I did, cold turkey. Within weeks my migraines and reflux were gone. I began to feel more energy and had my ah-ha moment. Food really is our medicine if we just listen to our bodies. That began my journey towards digestive wellness.

I don’t beat my body up anymore when it comes to exercise and ran my last marathon in 2003. Too much of anything has its price and not being smart about our fitness is not good either. I listen to my body, I take breaks, but for me, exercise improves my mood and my natural medicine of choice. We all have to find what works for us physically and have to make that time to be fit so we can have a better quality of life as we age.

During this time I’ve grown more into my faith and love to learn more about His word. In fact, I’ve been baptized three different times. I found what is working in my life and integrating it into my family. I’ve studied the Bible for health answers and amazed how He has provided it all in His great book. From parenting, to marriage, He talks about how to live healthy and honor our physical bodies well. It honors Him when we care for ourselves too.

R  I  C  K

L  A  M  B  E  R  T

GUITARIST,SINGER,SONGWRITER FOR

 AUSTIN TEXAS ROCK SENSATION'S

'E M P T Y   T R A I L'

Austin, Texas has spawned a variety of world-renowned bands over the years that covered a wide variety of styles - Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, the Sword, Scratch Acid, Dangerous Toys- and a band that one day may very well be mentioned in the same breath is the fast-rising/hard rocking Empty Trail. Comprised of members Rick Lambert (vocals/guitar), Shane Wallin (bass), and Rom Gov (drums), the band was started elsewhere. “The band essentially formed here in Austin,” recalls Lambert. “However, it has been a personal project of mine since the spring of 2013 while I was living in Los Angeles. I thought it would be better to start a band in Austin because of the highly saturated market in Los Angeles. I went through a couple of members, but eventually found the full live band in the summer of 2016. I decided to keep it as a 3-piece. It seemed a bit less expected.”

Empty Trail’s most recent single, “My World,” Lambert and company have already solidified their sound.  Lambert states … “I think Empty Trail’s sound takes bits and pieces of the most iconic hard rock/metal bands while maintaining authenticity. I’ve always wanted things to be relatable and believable. I don’t really want to be limited to a box. I’m sure every artist says this, but it’s true! I think the music fits the mold of catchy and even pop-y at times, which seems to be what’s going around, but it comes from a real place. I’m in music because this keeps me going. I have something I need to say, something that I need to let out, because if I bottle it up it is destructive. Yes, it’s rock, and it’s exciting and I want everyone to have a great time, but if you are listening, I hope it makes you feel understood. Somewhere where you can be free and not judged for who you are.”

Download the new single by Empty Trail entitled 'My World' at https://emptytrail.lnk.to/z925TID

For more information about Rick Lambert and Empty Trail

Visit … 

https://www.emptytrail.com/

At a very young age, Lance had an insatiable passion for health and fitness. He became fascinated with the body and passionate about bodybuilding. He competed against some of the greatest names in bodybuilding (yes, including Arnold), and won the titles of Mr. America (1981), IFBB Mr. Universe (1981), and Professional Mr. Universe (1986); among other awards.



Lance spent over 6,000 hours training with Bob Gajda, inventor of the phrase "core", and co-author of the seminal book, Total Body Training. After finishing his professional bodybuilding career, Lance pursued a PhD in Nutritional Counseling and Physical Education and along with his doctorates, became a certified Life Coach.  This training allows Lance to understand the key components to losing weight and the psychology behind why many sabotage themselves and have trouble with keeping their weight off.​

Lance has nearly 4 decades of experience as a personal trainer. As a Baby Boomer himself, Lance understands the aging body. He specializes in personal training and weight loss for Baby Boomers, especially those with medical conditions, such as diabetes.



To date, Lance has helped thousands of patients over a period of 30+ years lose a combined total of over 10,000+ pounds of fat.

John Perna is the CEO of TPS Player Service, chicagoland's premier golf academy, specializing in developing golfers into players! After a successful college campaign at Florida Gulf Coast University and a stint of playing professionally, our founder, John Perna, decided coaching full time on the PGA Tour wasn't enough for him. He was ready to pursue is true passion, coaching and mentoring dedicated junior golfers. Since 2010, 5 of John's 6 original students have gone on to earn PGA tour affiliated status by the age of 24, cementing TPS Player Service amongst the golf community elite. TPS has developed the # 1 ranked boy or girl in Illinois in the class of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017. Currently, TPS is training the # 1 ranked boy in the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024 class and the #1 ranked girl in the 2020, 2021, and 2022 class. The 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016 IHSA State Champions and the IHSA all-time scoring record holder have all come out of our program. In the last 8 years, TPS has sent more than 75 players to Division 1 schools to play golf and more than 100 players to play golf collegiately. TPS students have racked up 500+ tournament wins worldwide. The success of our players has been unprecedented for a golf academy in the northernly geographic location of Chicago, Illinois, making us the #1 golf academy in the midwestern United States."

"To synthesize is to combine numerous things into a coherent whole" and that's Brenda's role on the YouEQ team. She is the visionary for YouEQ and has a skill for attracting the exact talent required and inspiring these people to connect and contribute their wisdom to the project. Combining brain science, gamification and emotional intelligence, the YouEQ platform connects & empowers people.

Calling on over 20 years experience as a finance executive, business strategist and an expert of whole life health and vitality, Brenda contributes to the strategic direction, business structure and content of the platform. 

In the spirit of accomplishing this—with a lot more fun—we have drawn on the latest in brain science and gamification to optimize the learning and retention of information delivered through our multi-faceted platform. Through gamification, we educate people on intrinsic motivation, whole-health and develop multiple levels of emotional intelligence—teaching them to apply this to build powerful relationships.

A powerful speaker on the impact of neuroscience and communications, Brenda  specializes in sharing her wisdom on: Empowering People, Employee Engagement, Enhancing Productivity, Creating Powerful Corporate Cultures, Leadership Development, Business Strategy, Financial Modelling, through Public Speaking and You-EQ games.

P   A   T

V   E   G   A   S

BASSIST, SONGWRITER,AUTHOR AND

CO-FOUNDER

OF

LEGENDARY NATIVE AMERICAN ROCK GROUP

R   E   D   B   O   N   E

According to co-founder,bassist,singer and songwriter Pat Vegas, it was Jimi Hendrix who talked the musicians into forming an all-Native American rock group. Vegas told Record Collector writer Jeremy Isaac, "Hendrix was a friend of ours.... and he was half Indian. Once he knew that we were Indian too he used to come and hang with us because of that. Jimi made me aware of my roots: He'd say, 'Native American is beautiful, man, be proud of that.'"

Redbone's story is interesting from more than one point of view. The band itself of course, who had a great career, with ups and downs. The fact that the musicians were all native Americans from different origins (Cherokee, Yaquis, Apaches and Shoshones...). Their political implication and the fact there were censored that shows a very interesting political and social background of the US nation. All this plus the fact that they produced a unique, powerful and soulful music!

The name Redbone itself is a Cajun term for a mixed-race person ("half-breed"), the band's members being of mixed blood ancestry. The band referenced Cajun and New Orleans culture many times in their lyrics and performing style.

The mid-seventies were the period of big success, not only in the USA but even more in Europe and especially in the Netherlands. Maggie, The Witch Queen of New Orleans, Come and Get your Love, Wounded Knee and even Suzy Girl were big hits in many European countries, some reaching Number One. This led the band to tour and play almost non-stop during this period.

They shared the stage at various times with Dr. Hook, Albert Hammond, and others. Highlights on U.S. tours include playing at Carnegie Hall in New York with Argent and Kiss, opening for Marvin Gaye at the Forum in Inglewood, California, sharing the bill with Parliament Funkadelic in Philadelphia, and playing with Steely Dan at the Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Pat Vegas has continued to write music over the years. Some tunes had been recorded since 1980, with Lolly of course, but also with Tony bellamy for some songs. Finally, in 2005 Pat puts this work out on a new CD called One World. It was released in 2005 by a small independent record company. It was reedited in 2009 and retitled as Peace Pipe. At the same period Pat Vegas recreates the band with new musicians. They tour mainly in the west of the United States since.

Redbone was inducted into the Native American Music Association Hall of Fame in 2008, as well as the New York Smithsonian in 2013.

In 2014, "Come And Get Your Love" experienced a resurgence in popularity – and has been thoroughly embraced by a new generation - when it was featured in the Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy as the very first, and many say most important song, on a mixtape made for the film’s hero, Peter Quill- “Starlord” It was also included on the film's soundtrack album, which reached the Number 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, where it remains.  When released as a single in 1974  it went certified Gold, selling well over one million copies, and it is a song that just does not fade away-- there have been over one hundred million hits on YouTube alone.

Since 2015 "Come And Get Your Love" has been used as the theme song for Netflix produced cartoon series “F is for Family” and the TV series “Big Shrimpin”.

I first experienced The Exercise Coach’s patented Smart 20 minute workout during my senior year at Trinity International University. A family member of mine talked me into trying out two free sessions to experience the workout. As a member of the Basketball team for Trinity, I couldn’t believe how effective 20 minutes of exercise could be! I began an internship with the Exercise Coach at their Corporate Headquarters in Lake Zurich. I also became Trinity’s strength and conditioning coach during my senior year, in which our team made it to the elite 8, set a school record for most wins and most importantly for me, had no missed games by any players due to injury! Towards the end of my internship and my time at Trinity, the opportunity developed to be part of The Exercise Coach here in Naperville. I graduated from Trinity with a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Wellness Management with a minor as a fitness specialist and a minor in business. Being able to help people achieve their personal goals and seeing first hand their quality of life improve because of increased energy levels, reduction of chronic conditions and many other ways that The Exercise Coach impacts people’s lives has proven to be one of my most rewarding experiences ever!

Joel Franco tells compelling stories with an elegant voice, a crisp Italian sensibility and beautiful pictures. Franco’s experience, vision and intensity bring leadership, heart, and an eye for detail to his films. His understanding of the human condition and his passion for authenticity combine to create artistic, highly commercial works that draw the audience in and make them feel. Franco’s genuine desire to protect the integrity of each story and to bring out the best in the actors and crew have made him a trusted source for getting the job done. Colleagues trust his refreshing character and understand that he is a man of commitment and does what he says he will do, when he says he will do it.



Joel Franco was born in Italy and came to the United States in his late teens where he quickly immersed himself in American culture and film. According to Franco, “I have always admired American films. The American school of acting has a long history of producing great actors and I wanted to be a part of the world of film–a place where captivating stories are unveiled. The creation of film plays into my strengths: I love that magic is the result of the creative process. There must be passion to nurture the momentum of the story. And one must have intense focus to get the job done.” 



Influenced by American filmmaker Sidney Lumet for his vigorous storytelling and Italian director Robert Rossellini for his social realism, Franco is dedicated to staying true to the story in a fast paced, realistic and refined style. 



In 2006, Franco partnered with Solidaris LLC to found Chesapeake Films, LLC. Chesapeake Films has option agreements to produce several feature films and plans to produce two features per year in-house and to collaborate with established film companies for additional opportunities.



Joel Franco is a graduate of University of Maryland/Baltimore, a graduate of the USC-Universal Producing and Directing Program, and holds an M.F.A. in film production from the School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

joelfranco@youthsports-themovie.com

JIMI YAMAGISHI

As the current director of the SongNet.org, Jimi Yamagishi brings over four decades of life in this industry to the table, helping other songwriters make those crucial connections while actively playing the circuit to keep current.  A veteran session musician with a wide variety of genres in his pockets, his solo material features lyrical wit similar to Michael Franks, smooth James Taylor-esqe guitar lines, with a lil’ spritual sauce on the side. 

Having written over a thousand songs, he’s currently working on archiving them on Youtube, having already released several albums & CDs along the way.

NICOLE DRAKULICH

Artist / Graphic Designer, diagnosed with a rare genetic eye disease in 2008 is slowly loosing her eyesight but gaining her inner vision. She speaks about turning a negative into a positive with finding a new career path and appreciation for life through her spiritual journey. She is bringing an IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE for ALL…

Travel through space and time in every class, inside immersive landscapes designed to elevate your soul and expand your consciousness using projected imagery and sound.

ORAYA offers a new paradigm of PILATES – YOGA – WELLNESS and proples this global movement toward a more connected and elevated human species.

Oraya’s mission is to create a heart centered movement through a global community that raises mind, body and soul awareness. Similar to Soul Cycle and Crossfit, Oraya’s Pilates and yoga classes will inspire beyond the physical, guiding participants toward an elevated fitness experience through curated teaching techniques and a unique, immersive environment combined with visuals and sound.

A big part will be giving back with a portion of proceeds flowing toward women’s education and the evolution toward a more balanced work force and, ultimately, world. Our goal is to boost the economy and expand female empowerment. This is the time for women to rise and come to the forefront.

Taking the mind body connection to a deeper level than other Pilates and yoga studios, we will offer meditation classes, inspiring lectures and workshops about spirituality, metaphysics, sacred geometry and healing modalities.

The wellness aspect will offer light medicine, Reiki, sound healing and detoxification.

Our organic bar offers snacks, juices, elixirs, tonics, coffee and teas.

We will also have a clothing line, skincare line, and yoga mats. A portion of all proceeds will benefit women’s education and women in the arts.

“Musician’s singer” Cathy Segal-Garcia is a vocalist of “real music integrity” poignantly reports Critical Jazz reviewer.  Wherever she travels in the world, audiences and musicians are moved.

Segal-Garcia’s deep connection to rhythm and her earthy and organic voice bring a nakedness to her communication, a direct line in to one’s heart. Her repertoire includes original compositions and modern interpretations of standards and jazz musicians’ compositions.

 Critical Jazz says, “The vibeof artistic integrity coupled with honest emotion for a captivating experience.”  Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times added, “Segal-Garcia’s most compelling quality is a warm, dark sound, luxurious enough to wrap a song in an envelope of lush timbres.” Segal-Garcia has been a tireless supporter and producer of the L.A. jazz scene for years.  Recognized for such by musicians,singers, jazz fans, students of jazz singing and organizations such as L.A.Jazz Scene, lajazz.com, CA Jazz Foundation, Jazzvocalalliance.com, Great American Songbook Preservation Society, CA Lawyers for the Arts, and named a“Jazz Living Legend” in L.A.

Recording and performing with jazz legends is part of her career heritage.  Guitarists Ted Greene, Joe Diorio, Larry Koonse, John Pisano. Pianists Ross Tompkins, Billy Childs, Otmaro Ruiz, Josh Nelson.  Drummer Peter Erskine & bassist Marc Johnson are on her recording “Song of The Heart”…Erskine says, “The freshest vocal project which I’ve ever been involved in, and it’s one of my favorite tapes of the past year…This recording deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.”  Marc Johnsonadds, “The choice of material is top notch — very interesting.  The duets were special, the interplay, dynamics, Cathy’s range and intonation are great!”

Her teaching is as well known as her singing, receiving accolades from her students who have had their voices and their lives changed. Her workshops for vocalists have been consistently produced since 1998,including such luminary guest clinicians as Mark Murphy, Cheryl Bentyne, Barbara Morrison, Rhiannon, Gretchen Parlato, Kate McGary, Nancy King,

Peter Eldridge, Meredith D’Ambrosio, Sachal Vasandani, and Rebecca Parris.

Cathy Segal-Garcia is known throughout the world for her performing and teaching, especially in Japan where she has toured every year for over 20 years, performing in jazz clubs and festivals throughout the country. She has 12 CDs to date, with another coming out in January 2019.

Anthony Montes

Anthony Montes, is an award winning Actor, Director, Writer and Producer. Anthony has been part of the film and theater industry for over 40 years.

Anthony Montes has been teaching and coaching actors for 30 years. Anthony teaches his Acting Technique, the Montes Method Internationally and Domestically. Anthony has published 13 books of plays that are available on Amazon.

His Award Winning Feature Film, THE LAST NIGHT INN which he wrote and stars in as also available on Amazon. His 2nd Award Winning Feature, THE LAST TRAIN is currently looking for distribution. He has just finished a run of his uniquely original One-Man Show, OUTTA THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT.

When Anthony was 27 he was tired of the struggle and tried to take his life by jumping in front of a train in NY. Once he hit the tracks, he knew that he couldn’t do that to his Mother and tried to jump out of the way, getting clipped by the train which fractured his arm.

He has taken that dark place in his life, and put it into his Writing & Acting to help others, to see that they are worth it.

BURBANK HIGH SCHOOL SIRENS

Burbank High School’s Sirens is an acapella group of eight young women. This year’s group features Senior Melanie Burckes, Senior Ali Diaz, Senior Kayla Pino, Junior Jasmine Cap, Junior Lindsey Miller, Junior Julia Skillsky, Junior Sydney Sugars, and Sophomore Bella Jade. They are under the direction of Mr. Brett Carroll, the musical director at Burbank High, and alumni Erin McGuire, who arranges the group’s music.

Learn More About the Burbank High School’s Sirens at https://www.bhsvocal.com

Check their performance calendar to enjoy the group in-person. The group can also be hired to perform at private parties, sporting events & celebrations.  Contact them at their website above.

BURBANK HIGH SCHOOL GENTLEMEN’S OCTET

Burbank High School’s Gentlemen’s Octet is an a capella group of eight young men. This year’s group features Senior Christopher Aguirre, Senior Brandon Powell, Junior Noah Damasen, Junior Nathan Mai, Junior Travis Nichols, Sophomore Jonathan Coleman, Sophomore William Rodriguez, and Sophomore Eric Serna. They are under the direction of Mr. Brett Carroll, the musical director at Burbank High, and alumni Erin McGuire, who arranges the group’s music.

More About Burbank High School’s Gentlemen’s Octet at: https://www.bhsvocal.com

Check their performance calendar to enjoy the group in-person. The group can also be hired to perform at private parties, sporting events & celebrations.

CHRISTY WILHELMI

Christy Wilhelmi empowers people to grow their own food, to be more self-reliant, and to reduce pollution and waste, one garden at a time.

Christy is author of Gardening for Geeks, and founder of Gardenerd, the ultimate resource for garden nerds, where she publishes information-packed monthly newsletters, weekly blog posts, and podcasts. She also specializes in small-space, organic vegetable garden design and consulting. She holds regular organic gardening classes in California, and has co-taught organic gardening at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA. Christy has been a board member of Ocean View Farms Organic Community Garden in Mar Vista, California since 1999, and gardens almost entirely with heirloom vegetables.

Between 70-80 percent of her family’s produce comes from her garden of less than 200 square feet. Her writing has appeared in Edible Los Angeles magazine, Edible Westside magazine, The Good Food Blog, and LowImpactLiving and the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market Wrap-Up for Patch.

Christy’s newest book, 400+ Tips for Organic Gardening Success: A Decade of Tricks, Tools, Recipes, and Resources from Gardenerd.com was published in 2017 on Amazon. She lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, some chickens and two gardens.

SLIM MAN (aka SLIM MANICOTTI)

2018! It’s been a good year so far for the Slim Man!

He just won Best Jazz Vocalist at the Coachella Music Awards! Third year in a row. Threepeat!

How did Mr. Man arrive at this point? What’s the skinny on Slim Man?

It’s a long story. Settle in, Slim People…

When he was 5 years old, Slim Man’s dad showed him a movie. That film was The Five Pennies, and when Young Slim Boy saw Louis Armstrong play the trumpet and sing, he told his Dad, ”That’s what I want to do.”

Slim Man studied trumpet for the next 9 years, and also taught himself how to play piano and guitar. After studying classical piano, composition, and harmony at Peabody Institute of Music in Baltimore, MD, Slim Man got signed as a songwriter to Motown Records. He’s had songs recorded by the Temptations, Angela Bofill, Carl Anderson, and other artists.

Slim Man also recorded a CD for Motown, which gave birth to his signature style–a unique blend of jazz, soul, and pop..

Slim Man went on to form the band BootCamp,who had two of the first 100 videos ever played on MTV. Those videos catapulted BootCamp into a successful concert career, performing with The Tubes, TheB-52s, Squeeze, Split Enz, Johnny Winter, and tons of others.

After BootCamp broke up, Slim Man organized and hosted a nationwide talent contest sponsored by Marlboro. It was during this contest that he got the nickname Slim Man. Slim’s big discovery during the talent contest was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at a honky tonk called Tulsa City Limits.

The guy who won the contest that night was named Ronnie Dunn, who went on to win the national finals in Nashville, and later hooked up with Kix Brooks to form the multiple Grammy award-winning country music duo, Brooks and Dunn.

Slim Man then started writing songs for Brian Jack, a singer from a band called Child’s Play. The 12-song CD that Mr. Man wrote and produced landed Brian Jack a management contract with Dee Anthony (Frampton, J. Geils, Basia) and a recording contract with Epic Records, but the record company decided to cut Slim Man out of the deal.

Undaunted, Mr. Man went back into the studio, re-recorded some of the songs, and released his debut CD End of the Rainbow. This CD made many Top Ten lists for the year, and inspired JD Considine (Rolling Stone) to write…

“A near-perfect example of how jazz and soul can be combined as pop.”

That started the ball rolling, and it hasn’t stopped since. Slim Man has released 12 CDs; the latest is called “Young at Heart”. It’s a collection of Rat-Packin’, toe-tappin’ swinging songs from the 60s that sound like Vegas at the height of coolness.

In the late 1990s, Slim Man started another band, Bona Fide, an instrumental group whose combination of funk and jazz brought forth the Number One single “XRay Hip”. Bona Fide received the Best New Artist Award at the Smooth Jazz Awards. They’ve released 4 CDs, the latest produced by Marc Antoine.

Not content with just writing music, Slim Man has written screenplays, the latest of which, Marlboro Men, is currently being pitched around Hollywood.

Slim Man recently released a cookbook, Slim Man Cooks, which features 52 recipes of his own creation, and 52 funny stories about growing up Slim. There are links in the cookbook to more than 50 cooking videos.

And we thought we’d close with this…Slim Man sang for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican on Christmas Day, 1999.

ERROL GERSON

Curriculum Vitae –Errol Gerson:

Professional practice:

Errol Gerson is the Managing Partner at The Gerson Group Consultants, with offices in Los Angeles, London and Johannesburg, South Africa. The Gerson Group provides strategic Management consulting services to mid-size to large enterprises – specializing in strategic Financial Management planning, Strategic Tax planning, Succession Planning, Strategic Marketing and Management, Merger and Acquisition Strategies and Blue Ocean Strategy consulting.

After graduation from the University of Southern California (BS Accounting 1970, MBA Finance and Management 1972) Gerson worked in public accounting and Consulting for the first 6 years of his career. In 1978 he went out on his own and founded a Business Management and Accounting company which began with one employee, and ended up with over 80 employees in two states. He sold the company to his partners and so-founded cow, the first Interactive Design firm in the US in 1992 and subsequently sold his share to investors in 1998.

Gerson was then recruited to joining Creative Artists Agency in 1998 as Director of New Media Consulting, and was there until he was recruited to become the COO of the National Lampoon Television network which he ran for five years. Since leaving the Lampoon, he has been the Principal of the Gerson Group until today.

Educational Practice:

As an educator Errol Gerson has been teaching Business Management, Entrepreneurship and Leadership for Designers at the world-renowned Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, for the past 47 years. Errol has now taught some 6,500 students over a period of more than 141 continuous semesters at Art Center. During his tenure at Art Center, Errol Gerson has been the recipient of numerous Great Teacher awards, culminating with him being the recipient of the ‘first’ Legacy teaching Award given in 2006 for 100 semesters of teaching. Gerson teacher both The Entrepreneurial Spirit as well as Business 101, a course which was mandatory for most students for over 25 years. The course covered all aspects of operating, running and growing a ‘design based’ business, but the course content is applicable to virtually any and every small business. The advanced ‘Spirit of Entrepreneurship’ course is limited to 25 -30 students who have a desire to learn how to develop and grow an enterprise venture. Gerson also teaches a new course at Art Center called, “The Art and Practice of Leadership” which focuses on preparing designers for long-term leadership roles in their chosen field.

Errol Gerson has also guest lectured at his Alma Mater USC-Marshall, The Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate School, the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University, Cal-State Northridge and many other colleges and universities. He lectures on Negotiation Strategies, Blue Ocean Strategies, Sales and Marketing, Wealth Creation, and other related areas of business. He has taught professional seminars for the A.I.G.A., Advertising Photographers of America, Society of Illustrators, Industrial Design Society of America, Wedding Photographers International and others. Gerson has been widely published on a myriad of subjects related to the Business of Design, The Role of Design in Society, The basics of Entrepreneurship, Success and Motivation strategies, Goal setting and Life planning. Many of these articles can be found in LinkedIn, The Huffington Post, the AIGA quarterly, American Management Association, Journal of Social Science Review and others.

Gerson is on the Board of several local charities in Southern California, served as an officer of The USC-MBA association, The American Institute of Graphic Artists where he is the Senior Adviser) and also Mentors students each semester at the Art Center. He is a passionate golfer, avid English football (soccer fan) and is in the process of writing his first academic book entitled, ‘MOTIV8’ – the 8 Steps to keep constantly motivated. Gerson was awarded the prestigious “Fellow” award by the A.I.G.A. in 2017 recognising his decades of contribution to design education. Errol Gerson was born and raised in Johannesburg South Africa, where after high School he attended the University of the Witwatersrand studying accounting, prior to immigrating to the United States in 1966. Gerson received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1970, and subsequently earned an MBA at USC in 1972 majoring in Finance and Management. Mr. Gerson has also completed extensive coursework (non degree) in Management, Finance, Tax law, Psychology, Business Law, and attended the Harvard Negotiation Project

Gerson is on the Board of several local charities in Southern California, served as an officer of The USC-MBA association, The American Institute of Graphic Artists where he is the Senior Adviser) and also Mentors students each semester at the Art Center. He is a passionate golfer,avid English football (soccer fan) and is in the process of writing his first academic book entitled, ‘MOTIV8’ – the 8 Steps to keep constantly motivated. Gerson was awarded the prestigious “Fellow” award by the A.I.G.A. in 2017 recognising his decades of contribution to design education. Errol Gerson was born and raised in Johannesburg South Africa, where after high Schoolhe attended the University of the Witwatersrand studying accounting, prior to immigrating to the United States in 1966. Gerson received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1970, and subsequently earned an MBA at USC in 1972 majoring in Finance and Management.Mr. Gerson has also completed extensive coursework (non degree) in Management, Finance,Tax law, Psychology, Business Law, and attended the Harvard Negotiation Project

REBECCA WHITMAN

Rebecca Whitman is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and currently resides in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in English Literature and Italian Language and Culture. As an Executive Director for the direct marketing company Equinox International she developed and trained a salesforce of over one thousand individuals in 14 national offices. She was ranked number 3 out of 100,000 sales representative in personal sales volume. She went on to be a top producer at Mike Davidson Ford dealership in Jacksonville, Florida, where she helped them to develop new marketing strategies for their internet marketing division.

She moved on to the internet start-up company, FreeTaxPrep.com, where she was the Vice President of Business Development. In this company she not only exceeded her quarterly sales quota by 425%, she also hired and trained a sales team that developed a client base of over281 car dealerships in ten cities in a period of 90 days. As a Talent Coordinator for the Hollywood Group, she developed anew marketing strategy that increased the revenue of the company by $250k per year. She achieved between 100%and 400% of her sales quota for the Hollywood Group.

As the Vice President of Sales for Be Entertainment,she created a sales force that took the company from 0 to$15 million is sales revenue in the first year. She assisted the company’s expansion to 7 offices and managed 30sales reps. She also increased price points from an average of $1400 to $5000 per sale.

Rebecca is currently working for The Playground – A Young Actor’s Conservatory, where she increased the sales revenue of the company by $1 million per year for 5 consecutive years.In addition to her business acumen, Rebecca has done extensive study in the area of meta physics with such great teachers as Reverend Michael Beckwith, Esther Hicks, and Marianne Williamson. She has delved into the study of personal relationships with Dr. Pat Allen, Allison Armstrong, and Landmark Education. In addition, Rebecca has over 25 years of experience in the 12 Steps.