Brian comes to Awake Consulting with 25+ years of leadership experience in higher education and not-for-profit organizations. He has served most recently as an academic dean and associate provost. In these roles he developed a strong faculty team and created innovative delivery systems to increase enrollment and provide outstanding educational opportunities for students. He has delivered strong results while still reducing overhead. He also served as lead pastor for congregations in Kentucky, Virginia, and Florida. Working in churches helped him learn to lead by building trust and casting a compelling vision for the future.
Brian combines a love for people, passion for excellence, and an analytical mind to help clients maximize results in their business and personal lives. This means working with clients is to help them earn higher profits at work and simultaneously increase their overall sense of satisfaction and joy at home.
Brian is a student of leadership and personal/professional development. His commitment to lifelong growth and learning allows him to leverage a large pool of knowledge, tactics, and ideas to help equip and empower clients to meet whatever challenges they face in business and life. He is known as a creative solution finder and idea machine who specializes in discovering simple pathways through the complex issues of the day.
Brian is a gifted communicator, keynote speaker, and an award winning instructor. Audiences appreciate his clear and compelling teaching delivered in a positive and fun style. He also brings years of experience as an author and editor.
Brian graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in History from the University of Akron (Ohio); he received the Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky; and earned the Ph.D. from Union Presbyterian Seminary (Richmond, VA). He also is a Licensed Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (certified by The Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming).
Brian is married to Astrid and they are parents of six adult children. He enjoys reading, soccer, cooking, and standup comedy.