Speakers
This year NARPM® has selected General Session speakers that are sure to be a hit! Come learn and laugh with us in Orlando with Steven Oniki, Bob Losyk, Clay Singleton, and our very own Mark Kreditor.
Wally Amos
Today, his name is a household word. As founder of Famous Amos Cookies in 1975 and father of the gourmet chocolate chip cookie industry, he has used his fame to support educational causes. In 1994, he co-founded the Uncle Wally’s Muffin Company, which produces a full line of muffins. His most recent venture is Chip & Cookie, with retail stores in Waikiki and in Kailua Town, Hawaii, and an e-Commerce business featuring five flavors of cookies and two chocolate chip cookie plush character dolls, Chip & Cookie, plus other gift and apparel items created by Christine Harris-Amos.
Wally and Christine founded the Read it LOUD! Foundation in 2005, urging parents and caregivers to read aloud to children for at least 10 minutes each day. Ten percent of the net profits realized by Chip & Cookie, LLC will benefit the foundation, an IRS (501)(3C), to support its efforts to promote Children’s Literacy, www.readitloud.org. In August 2006, using Savannah as their pilot city, they launched Read it LOUD! Savannah. Read it LOUD recently partnered with the Library of Congress and the United States Postal Service to launch a national campaign.
Wally was National Spokesman for Literacy Volunteers of America from 1979 until 2002, when they merged with Laubach Literacy Council to create ProLiteracy Worldwide. He is also a former Board Member of the National Center for Family Literacy and Communities in Schools.
Wally Amos has been the recipient of many honors and awards. He gave the shirt off his back and his battered Panama hat to the Smithsonian Institution’s Business Americana Collection. He has been inducted into the Babson College Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs, and he received the Horatio Alger Award, The President’s Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence, and The National Literacy Honors Award.
Wally is also an author who has written nine books; his autobiography, The Famous Amos Story: The Face That Launched A Thousand Chips; The Power In You: Ten Secret Ingredients To Inner Strength; Man With No Name: Turn Lemons Into Lemonade; Watermelon Magic: Seeds of Wisdom, Slices of Life; The Cookie Never Crumbles: Inspirational Recipes for Every Day Living; Be Positive, The Power In Self-Esteem: How To Discover And Fulfill Your Life Dreams; Live An Inspiring Life: Ten Secret Ingredients for Inner Strength; and The Path To Success is Paved with Positive Thinking. His most recent book is Watermelon Credo – The Book.
Over the years, Wally has acted in a number of network sitcoms and appeared on hundreds of interview shows, news programs, educational programs and commercials. On the lecture circuit, he addresses audiences at corporations, industry associations and universities with his inspiring “do it” positive attitude. Over 150 million Americans know Wally Amos. His fame is grounded in quality, substance and a positive attitude.
Bill Stainton
Bill Stainton is a multiple Emmy Award-winning TV producer, writer, and performer; an author; a business humorist; and an internationally-recognized Beatles expert. He blends the business smarts he learned from twenty years in corporate management with the show biz sparks he gleaned from working with Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jay Leno to create entertaining and enlightening presentations enjoyed by audiences around the world!
As the executive producer of Seattle’s legendary comedy TV show, Almost Live!, Bill led a talented and highly creative team to unparalleled success—a #1 rating for ten straight years, and over 100 Emmy Awards (29 of which went to Bill). At the same time, he also owned his own corporate training company, authoring nine training programs in subjects ranging from office politics to customer service to team motivation.
From Maine to Malaysia, Bill is committed to helping his audiences achieve their highest potential—while maintaining a sense of fun along the way.
Jim Hebert
Jim Hebert is the president and founder of Hebert Research, Inc., an international real estate, land use, and statistical research firm. Hebert Research serves over 3,000 companies, organizations, and governments in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and Japan. He is credited with some of Washington State’s most significant developments over the past 31 years, including Microsoft World Headquarters, Issaquah Highlands, Costco World Headquarters, Carillon Point, Semiahmoo Resort, and Suncadia Resort.
Jim has served, or is currently serving, on the following Boards which have addressed major land use, real estate, or long range planning issues:
- CAMPS - Center for Advanced Manufacturing (president)
- Costco - Adjunct Research Director
- PACE - Performing Arts Center Eastside
- Key Bank - Board of Directors
- GEO Engineers – Board of Directors
- Camp Korey at Carnation Farm (founder and Treasurer)
- Seattle University – Business School Advisory Council
- Central Washington University – Regent’s Advisory Board
- Seattle Downtown Association (former)
- Bellevue Chamber of Commerce (former chair)
In addition, Mr. Hebert has published over 100 articles on land use and real estate. He has served on the faculty at the University of Washington, and is currently a member of the Seattle University finance and economic curriculum advisory committee.
Joseph A. Michelli, Ph.D.
Joseph A. Michelli, Ph.D., is an internationally sought-after speaker, author, and organizational consultant who has been described as “catching what is right in the world and playfully sparking people and businesses to grow toward the extraordinary.” In addition to writing best-selling books about enduring business principles, he hosted an award-winning daily radio program in Colorado Springs, Colorado for over a decade.
Dr. Michelli transfers his knowledge of exceptional business practices through keynote presentations that explore ways to develop joyful and productive workplaces with a focus on the total customer experience. His insights encourage leaders and frontline workers to grow and invest passionately in all aspects of their lives.
Dr. Michelli's book, The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary into Extraordinary, published by McGraw-Hill, regularly achieved bestseller status on the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek Magazine, and USA Today lists. He has been featured on television programs such as The Glenn Beck Show and CNBC’s On the Money and has conducted hundreds of radio and print interviews.