- History of The PowerPlayers -

        The PowerPlayers started with a dream, an idea, and a spark of motivation.  While sitting around a table one evening, friends discussed their acclimation to their new industries and companies. They were not new to business, but were Greenhorns in the world of corporate power and politics. Seeking experience from one another they began to share operating models, business principles, & leadership paradigms that they were indoctrinated with in their new companies. After this meeting each business person took some of the other’s doctrine back to their company.  This new understanding accelerated the development of each within their companies. The dream took form in the ultimate desire to continue to share collective knowledge across industries and companies. The idea was to continue to expand this reach for personal development across other like-minded individuals and companies.

- PowerPlayers Mission -

        Through a network of respected professionals from all industries, we strive to provide a resource to enable each other to achieve uncommon greatness in community and commerce.

- Vision for PowerPlayers -

        Continue to grow the intellectual capital of The PowerPlayers through acquisitions promoting breadth, diversity, & geographical expansion. This will be done by continually refining our mentor network and conducting developmental exercises & meetings that drive personal and group growth.”

        As the group began to define what a PowerPlayer was, 10 traits began to emerge as the foundation of core attributes exemplified by a PowerPlayer. They are;

                                        1. Intelligence

                                        2. Being a Change Agent

                                        3. Self Management

                                        4. Communication Ability

                                        5. Initiative

                                        6. Accountability

                                        7. Focus on Others

                                        8. Commitment to Excellence

                                        9. Integrity

                                       10. Teamwork

        These core tenets are now used as a model for recruiting, developing, and evaluating future PowerPlayers.

- What We Do -

· Meetings – Conducted approximately twice each year The PowerPlayers conduct in-person meeting focusing on a topic of interest (i.e. Globalization). The highlight of these meetings is often the presence of a Guest Mentor who speaks to the group on a range of topics from; What It Takes to be Successful, to Their Guidance on Improving Individual PowerPlayer Capabilities. During meetings we also often have business associated events. Past activities have spanned from Trading Floor Tours at the NYSE to Yankees Games and Manhattan Yacht Cruises.

· Value Contributions – Between meetings The PowerPlayers will often find valuable pieces of information that may be useful in the development of other group members. We maintain communication with one another by sharing what we find (i.e. clippings & articles) and offering dialogue on contentious issues (i.e. Proprietary Rights in the Digital Age)

· Deep Dive Development – Whether in-person during meetings or on conference calls, The PowerPlayers will often chose a developmental area or subject and “deep dive” into the topic. The goal of these exercises is to increase group understanding of complex issues facing people in their professions or business marketplaces.

· 360-degree Reviews – As part of one’s personal development knowing thyself is often one of the most important factors in realizing the full potential of a PowerPlayer. This exercise can help members see where gaps may exist in the image they portray (as seen during PowerPlayer interactions) versus their actual beliefs (based on personal reflection). When gaps do exist, The PowerPlayers becomes a forum within which people can improve, develop, and grow as leaders within their companies and industries.

- Past PowerPlayers Mentors & Guest Speakers -

• Peter Friedenfeld - Executive Vice President, Carlton Financial Corporation
• Jody Johnson - Group Vice President, Ameriprise Financial
• Douglas Lennick - Executive Vice President, American Express
• Dan Knutson - CFO & Sr Vice President, Land O’ Lakes
• Tim McGeehan - Executive Vice President , Best Buy
• Phil Taylor - Founder & CEO, Naterra Land
• Tim Kelly - Chief Marketing Officer, Sprint Nextel
• Ray Reuter - President & Founder, Kaizen Inc.
• Savio Chan - CEO, US China Partners
• David Blau - CEO, East West Supply Chain
• Aziz Ahmed - President & CEO UTC Consultants