Robert W. Wendover has been researching and writing about workforce
trends for more than 20 years. He currently serves as Managing
Director of the Center for Generational Studies. Mr. Wendover has
authored the Center’s training curriculum, Generations: Understanding
Age Diversity in Today’s Workplace. His nine books include Crossing
the Generational Divide, On Cloud Nine: Weathering the Challenge
of Many Generations in the Workplace and Two Minute Motivation:
How to Inspire Superior Performance. His first book, Smart Hiring, first
published in 1988, has just been released in its sixth edition.
Mr. Wendover serves as the editorial director of the Center’s monthly
newsletter, GenTrends, and has written or contributed to hundreds
of articles for a wide variety of publications. Mr. Wendover is a
regular guest on radio & TV across the U.S. His credits include CNN,
CNBC, The Wall Street Journal’s National Business Employment Weekly,
Supervisory Management, Human Resources Professional, Women’s
Wear Daily, Entrepreneur and Money magazine. In addition, he has
written monthly columns for both retailers and Realtors.
Mr. Wendover’s education includes degrees in psychology, education
and industrial arts. He served on the management faculty of the
University of Phoenix for more than ten years. He has earned the
designation of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) from the
National Speakers Association and serves as a special advisor to the
American Productivity and Quality Council (APQC).
What clients are saying about Bob’s programs:
I’ve heard nothing but positive comments from our members.
You definitely struck a chord with the audience. Excellent job!
Georgia H. Foley, Executive Director
Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association
Thank you so much for making me look so good to my group.
Cindi Williams, Events Director
Western Home Furnishings Association
Your session received the highest rating of all the sessions at the
conference. Your message made a tremendous impact on the attendees.
Rebecca J. Dakin, Member Services & Education Manager
Association of Collegiate Conference Education Directors
I can’t say enough about your professionalism and how you made
the job of having a successful conference that much easier.
Henry P. Bergson, President
National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association
Participant evaluations noted your presentation as a highlight at the
conference. Here’s a quote that illustrates my point: “I learned more
about my children in 1 hour than in 20 years; great information,
it gave me many insights for dealing with younger participants!”
Marshall Goldberg, Executive Director
Association of Joint Labor/Management Educational Programs
Patie B Jansen brings a lot to the table – a seasoned manager,
business owner, television host and speaker with more than 1000
programs and seminars under her belt. As a senior consultant for The
Center for Generational Studies, she’s building a reputation as one
of our go-to people for presenting participant-centered workshops.
In Patie’s work as a retail manager, operations manager, program
manager, and business owner, she’s seen it all. Patie has been
managing and motivating others since she was 21. She brings a
wealth of stories, strategies and solutions to every presentation.
Patie possesses that special talent for taking the complexities of
the evolving workforce and translating them into solutions you can
use immediately.
Besides that, she’s just plain fun! Groups large and small respond to
her unique brand of humor and involvement. Patie has spoken for
a host of household names and is comfortable working with groups
from 15 to 500. Adults learn best when they’re discussing what’s
being presented and Patie is a master at fostering these interactions.
Using case studies, exercises and a wide variety of applications,
Patie brings years of facilitating to the platform. Her stories
and strategies are based on practical experience, in-depth research
and, of course, the wealth of experiences shared by others.
Bring Patie and her expertise into your organization and those
participating will walk away with the answers they need to deal
successfully with today’s workforce challenges and transitions.
What clients are saying about the Center’s programs:
I can’t say enough about your style, both humorous and engaging. You
not only provided five hours of material to the entire (very diverse) staff,
but availed yourself to the managers to discuss hiring later that day.
Many of the tools you shared are now in use and have born fruit.
Mark Goldstein, D.V.M. President
San Diego Humane Society
We have always heard of differences in the generations and their thought
processes. Your illustrated talk made it all very clear to us. You also gave
a great boost to our conference partnership efforts.
Keith Sawyer, General Manager, General Aviation
Chevron Global Aviation
It’s official! Your presentations were an unqualified success. I just
finished summarizing the evaluations and most said the best thing
about Saturday was you.
Carol Snodgrass, Career & Technical Education Coordinator
Denver Public Schools
You did exactly what we asked you to do: impart actionable information
to help our members address the changing needs of the workforce and
develop the future leadership.
Kathleen DeMarco, Executive Director
Fluid Power Distributors Association
Andrea D. Mitnick, Ph.D. has made a calling out of teaching others. A seasoned
educator with more than 35 years in the classroom, she has witnessed how
today’s young students are influencing instructional dynamics. In her present
position as an associate professor at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, she
teaches presentation skills, public relations techniques, crisis communication,
as well as leadership communication. Previously an Assistant Professor of Communication
at Penn State University, she won the Outstanding Teacher of the
Year Award there in 1995. She received her Ph.D. in rhetoric and communication
from Temple University, and her research on a wide range of topics has been
published in both journals and textbooks. She has presented more than twentyone
juried papers at national and international conferences since arriving at
Kutztown University in 1995.
Andi knows what it takes to keep audiences and classes engaged. She is at the
same time a serious educator . . . and just plain fun! The stories and illustrations
she brings to the Center for Generational Studies’ programs will keep you thinking,
laughing and problem solving all at the same time.
A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Mitnick has lived and lectured in Switzerland. She has
taught crisis communication in Moscow and continues to travel extensively in
Europe, China and the Pacific Rim, Mexico and North America. A veteran of two
cruises aboard Semester at Sea (2000 and 2004), she taught intercultural communication,
public speaking, leadership development and strategic communication
among 600 students and 22 faculty as they sailed around the world for 100
days.
An experienced researcher and speaker on age diversity, Dr. Mitnick recently
co-authored a groundbreaking study on the generational transition taking place
in the construction trades with The Center for Labor Education and Research at
the University of Kentucky. What better speaker to address the evolving student
challenges your faculty and staff are facing, than a veteran educator who
has developed proven strategies for connecting with the emerging generations?
Bring Andi Mitnick in to work with your faculty and staff this year and benefit
from her cutting-edge insights and ideas on how to seamlessly transition generational
leadership within your institution.
What clients are saying about Andi Mitnick’s programs:
Andi Mitnick captures an audience and doesn’t let go. She draws people in until
they think they are part of the workshop. There are no wall flowers! People leave
her workshops charged up and enthused about applying what they learned. You
know you got your money’s worth!
William Maloney, Ph.D.
Raymond Shaver Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering
University of Kentucky
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your workshop. I honestly feel
that everyone in my department could have gained so much from it, it was truly
enlightening. I feel that it’s a “must have” training session for all the KU student
services offices.
Magdalena Monet, M.ED., Associate Financial Aid Director
Kutztown University
“The course was well organized and structured effectively. Dr. Mitnick was lively
and engaging, and wonderfully vivid.” She was very interesting and personable;
definitely tailored instruction to the needs of the class. I learned a great deal.”
She’s very warm, great energy. I got the sense she really wanted us to learn.”
“She sparkles, is very funny, and yet her materials are grounded in realities we can
all understand. Also, I appreciated the fact that much of this was theory-driven as
well as coming from the practical.”
“The discussion of motivation and how we get people to behave the way we need
them to behave was the highlight of the afternoon for me. I learned things that
were simple and useful and made real sense.”
Comments from the Central Pennsylvania Construction Partnership
Jeff Vankooten is all about solutions. The insights and strategies he brings to
every presentation are designed to foster creative tactics and answers to today’s
workforce challenges. As a senior consultant for The Center for Generational
Studies, he has engaged managers and leaders in a wide variety of disciplines
including hospitality, retail, utilities, engineering, oil and gas, manufacturing
and law enforcement, not to mention education and government agencies.
Jeff’s expertise on age diversity and workforce transition comes from real-world
experiences as a salesperson, entrepreneur, youth worker, and pastor. His years
as a high school teacher alone has provided him with enough stories to keep a
group in stitches for hours at a time. But more important than laughter, he is a
master at providing the substance that every busy manager is looking for.
Jeff possesses that special secret that keeps audiences engaged 100% of the
time. His superb storytelling skills coupled with a generous sense of whimsy
provokes healthy discussion and participation in every venue. Clients comment
regularly on the conversations he has prompted days after the program has
ended. Jeff worked in the computer industry in its nascent stages and has continued
to evolve in his thinking as a high school teacher; in practical theology
as a pastor; and in business as an entrepreneur. Jeff’s experiences as a business
professional, educator, youth worker, and clergyman give him the perfect mix to
understand people of all ages and backgrounds.
Jeff graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Denver Seminary
in Colorado and has completed additional graduate level coursework with
the Gospel and Our Culture Network. Because he’s had 22 years experience from
the platform, years of experience in leading people, and because he’s just downright
funny, Jeff will cause you to both laugh and learn. Bring him into your
organization and watch the solutions and strategies come to the fore.
What clients are saying about Jeff’s programs:
Jeff’s presentation was wonderful!! Lots of people told me that they really liked
his presentation style and that they benefited from the information he shared.
The conversation at the end of the presentation was lively and continued at the
reception afterwards. All in all the program was a huge success and we appreciate
everything that Jeff shared with us.
Patrice Masterson, Director of Personnel
Georgia Perimeter College
Terrific, Jeff. It all happened exactly as I had hoped. The conversation spilled over
into the evening and was up front in the minds of the board of directors the next day.
Kim Granados, CAE, Director, Professional Practice
National Society of Professional Engineers
Your educational and insightful message to delegates will go a long way in helping
IBEW organizers understand the many nuances of different age groups.
Edwin D. Hill, International President
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
I walked into the lunch feeling pigeon-holed into Generation X, not sure I really
fit with all the stereotypes and walked away a proud Xer. The information you
provided was extremely beneficial and fun.
Jenny Geyer, Executive Director
Arvada Chamber of Commerce
The in-depth content and refreshing materials were a true complement to the
excellent presentation skills Jeff demonstrated. He generated stimulating discussion
questions and provided comments that encouraged independent thinking. He helped
us create a heightened awareness and more complete understanding of our workforce.
Along with that mode of thinking comes a fresh appreciation of all the qualities
each generation has to offer.
Cindy MacNaul, Training Coordinator
Wagner Equipment Company
Sally J. Field
has more than 18 years combined HR and general management
experience focusing on organizational development. She brings you
strong experience as the former Director of Human Resources for
Erickson's Diversified and HomeStyles Publishing and Marketing in
the Twin Cities, MN area coupled with her expertise as a public
information officer and division manager for the State of IL.
Sally holds a BA degree in
Political Science from Eastern Illinois University and an MBA with
honors from Aurora University. She is certified as a Senior
Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) as well as being a licensed
MN educator. She is an adjunct faculty member at University of
Wisconsin at River Falls, Century College and Wisconsin Indianhead
Technical College. Sally is an experienced, certified facilitator
in utilizing the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, AchieveGlobal
(formerly Zenger-Miller), Mobius Coaching Model, and Accelements
Adult Learning. She is a former Board member of both the St.
Croix Valley Employers' Association, and MN Women in Community and
Technical Colleges as well as a member of the Society for Human
Resource Management (SHRM), American Society for Training and
Development (ASTD), and Association for Psychological Type (APT).
