The Sovereign Center’s Team of Experts possess extensive experience in the fields of organizational and strategic leadership and development. The combined services offered by each of our consultants are designed to help our clients embrace the future with confidence. Whether our clients select open enrollment training seminars or customized in-house projects, our high-impact, comprehensive services enable organizations to achieve long-term successes. Through our unique processes, we build long lasting connections with each of our clients. 

Experience what it means to have access to this unique Team of Experts.
Contact any of the Team of Expert Consultants at teamofexperts@wilkes.edu

 

A partial list of Mike’s clients includes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Hershey Foods Corporation, Luzerne County Community College, Yale-New Haven Hospital and Bracco Diagnostics.

 

Mike received his undergraduate degree from King’s College, and holds a Masters in Education from Misericordia University and is a member of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD).

TOM BILDHEISER            

Tom is a dedicated, highly organized, results-oriented safety and health professional capable of managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced work environment with experience in developing effective safety, security, environmental and workers’ compensation programs and strategic planning and implementation of various safety and health activities.

Tom has more than ten years experience as Regional Safety Coordinator, Safety Director, and Risk/Loss Control Consultant. Within his extensive experience, he has directed all safety, health, workers' compensation, environmental and security programs for five regional distribution centers on the east coast. As a Risk Control Consultant, Tom was responsible for leading the agency’s loss control efforts with respect to current and future clients working with property management, safety and health development, industrial training, and OSHA compliance. Currently a Loss Control Consultant, Tom provides quality, cost-effective control services to agencies in addition to acting as the technical consultant to commercial line underwriters in risk selection and renewal decisions by providing timely consultant reports and support. 

 

Tom has delivered education-based training and consultation for various organizations since 1995 in topics such as Environmental Compliance, OHSA regulations, Maintaining Positive Associate Relations, and Emergency Response Planning and Implementation. Tom has been published six times in Occupational Safety and Health and is a long term member of the Central Pennsylvania American Industrial Hygiene Association.

 

 

KEITH D. ELLISON

 RICHARD S. HAWKES     

Richard has extensive consulting experience helping leadership teams accelerate business growth. He has led major business strategy, strategy implementation and process improvement engagements with leading companies in a broad range of industries including: Banking, Consumer Products, e-Business, Food & Beverage, Heavy Manufacturing, Insurance, Pharmaceuticals and Telecommunications. Richard has worked domestically and internationally with global Fortune 100, mid-sized and start-up growth companies including: AT&T, Chase, Corning, Easyclosets.com, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Hallmark International, Hewlett Packard, Instinet, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pearl River Chocolates, Pearson Education, Performance Food Group, Prentice-Hall, Pfizer, Quest Diagnostics, Sprint, Sun Microsystems, United National Insurance and WLR Foods.

 Richard’s approach to accelerating business growth centers around three principles: direction and focus, a culture of accountability and scalable core business processes. He has published a number of articles including a recent article in the prestigious Journal of Business Strategy, Jan 2004.

Richard received a B.A. in Computer Science and German Literature from Hamilton College and an M.B.A. in Marketing and Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

 

MARK S. LANG, Ph.D       

Dr. Mark Lang has a history of pioneering and leading new activities oriented toward entrepreneurial business development, organizational transformation, innovative application of technology, and the advancement of human capital. He earned a B.S. degree in Physics with highest honors from Texas Tech University, and completed a Ph.D in Acoustics at Penn State University. In 1983, he helped found the Ben Franklin Partnership Center based in Lehigh, PA.

 Mark leveraged the Ben Franklin experience to test, experiment, and understand the dynamics of innovation, entrepreneurship, and business growth. He conceived and led the Agile Web Program, the first known successful effort to demonstrate what is required for a variety of small manufacturers to formally collaborate as a single “super supplier”.

 

The common element in Mark’s history is the ability to identify emerging trends and technologies, conceptualize their future impact and direction, and formulate practical strategies and experiments to understand and develop them. Mark left Ben Franklin in 2001 when he recognized that innovation and entrepreneurship are the keys to competition in the new global economy, and their systemic practice requires an entirely new model and radically different approaches to business, organization, and government support. Since then, he has been developing practical understanding and strategies to help businesses and communities address the critical cultural and learning issues required to master innovation.

 

STEPHEN MANOBIANCO           

Stephen has over 25 years experience in business development, marketing and sales performance consulting. Steve’s clients benefit from a proven portfolio of organizational assessments, integrated sales and marketing design solutions and focused execution programs and services. He has extensive consulting and operational experience in the following areas:

·         Business Development and Sales Performance Optimization

 Stephen received his B.A. in Economics from Syracuse University and his MBA from Regis University. He serves on the board for the New Jersey Association of Biomedical Research, a member if the New Jersey Biotech Council and was formerly on the National Business Advisory Board for Pfizer Health Solutions. In addition, he is a former Lieutenant and an active volunteer firefighter with the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company and an Assistant Cub Scout Pack Leader.

 

MARE NEWCOME-BEILL           

Mare demonstrates exceptional team leadership and project management abilities cultivated during a career in training and development spanning more than 20 years. During her current role as Instructional Technologist at PPL, Mare has developed dozens of training programs involving leadership, management, operations, administration, equipment, software, and security averaging more than 1,400 hours of instruction delivery annually. Mare improves plant performance through managing Instructor Training Programs and evangelizing the systemic approach to training and development. Mare facilitates the Instructor Curriculum committee, spearheading key initiatives to incorporate new and current technologies into the business process.

 Prior to joining PPL, Mare served in the US Army holding such positions as Chief Trainer/Developer, Recruiter, and Logistics and Material Manager. In addition, Mare worked at VisionAir, as the Training Director, where she oversaw and designed all training, including internal technical and soft skills as well as external for-profit programs. In addition, she defined learning objectives and standards, and delivered external training to more than 22,000 participants annually. Mare received her Master’s form Ohio State University and is proficient in German and Italian.

 

LAURA NOVAKOWSKI, B.S.N., M.B.A.             

Laura R. Novakowski is a corporate and individual “developmentalist”, coach and facilitator with more than 20 years of experience in strategic thinking & planning, leadership, corporate facilitation & project development and management. Ms. Novakowski has had experience in organizational start-ups and turnarounds.  As an executive, she has a proven track record with multilevel teams for the strategic planning, initiation and management of large-scale projects such as hospital based sub-acute units and the introduction of the second specialty chronic disease hospital in the state of Pennsylvania.

 Laura is an affiliate of the Resource Associates Corporation (RAC, Mohnton, PA) a results-oriented Human Resource Development product and service organization that provides expertise in Strategic Thinking and Business Planning, Leadership Development, Sales, Team Building and Customer Service. Clients include healthcare systems, long-term care facilities, colleges and universities, professionals and small business owners.

 

 CONNIE S. PHEIFF

Connie S. Pheiff, President/CEO of Pheiff & Some, is a versatile executive with 20+ years of proven success leading complex operations. With a powerful blend of nonprofit/for profit experience, she is at ease interacting and building rapport with volunteers, constituents, and business/community leaders at all levels. Connie is able to forge collaborative, cross-functional partnerships, identify "outside-the-box" solutions, and instill fiscal and operational discipline. She has a special talent for leading organizational change and driving successful donor relations.

Connie is an experienced executive coach and program facilitator, offering professional development programs on leadership, team building, conflict resolution, strategic planning, communication skills, and workplace relationships. As a presenter, she is proficient in engaging audiences from two to two hundred.

Connie has led nonprofit organizations from the United States Chamber of Commerce to the Greater Wilkes Barre Chamber. Most recently, Connie served as CEO of the Girl Scouts of Penn's Woods Council. 

 

LARRY PULEO       

Larry Puleo is an executive leader with over 25 years experience obtaining the required changes that improve organizational and individual performance. As a leader he has been able to increase his responsibilities by:

 During his career he has guided over 150 projects focused on moving companies forward, resulting in millions of dollars in cost savings. He has extensive experience in project management, change management, process re-design, performance management, executive coaching and mentoring and merger integration. Larry has launched a complete start-up operation which enjoyed a positive cash flow and attracted investors. His leadership skills focus on developing potential of personnel and leveraging their strengths to produce successful outcomes.

 

Mr. Puleo's strength is obtaining focused efforts on implementation of strategic plan initiatives by utilizing project management disciplines that avoid the pitfalls of project failure and disappointing results. Industry experiences include Financial Services, Software Development, Healthcare, Transportation, Food Services and Distribution, Small Business Services, Government and Human Resources.

 

Larry has established Portfolio Project Management frameworks and Project Management Offices on behalf of clients that focused on improved project performance and reduced project cycle time. He has developed a project management training course that has been delivered to over 6,000 individuals and is sought out for mentoring assignments where his passion and expertise in project management has been passed on to over 30 project managers. Mr. Puleo has coached and mentored executives and executive teams across various industries, has a knack of influencing individuals at all levels during periods of extreme change and embraces the challenge of leading the project management profession into the future.

 

Larry has published various articles, and has spoken at conferences and seminars. He is a Certified Project Manager Professional, was adjunct faculty at Marywood University and has been a guest lecturer at the University of Scranton and corporations. He resides in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania and enjoys spending time with family and friends. His hobbies are sports, cooking, travel and entertaining, wine tasting and project management.

 

PAUL MICHAEL RAETSCH        

Paul Raetsch spent most of his federal career with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. He retired in 2007, after serving eight years as Regional Director of the Philadelphia Regional Office. Prior to that, he served as the Chief of the Planning and New England Divisions.

 He is an adjunct Professor of Public Administration in the Masters of Public Management program at John Jay College in New York City. He also has been an adjunct professor of Political Science and Public Administration at Rutgers University, Camden, NJ, the University of Southern Colorado, and Burlington County College in New Jersey.

 

Early in his career, Mr. Raetsch also worked for the Corps of Engineers and a regional planning agency, and on the staff of a member of Congress. He graduated with a BS in Political Science and a Masters of Regional Planning, both from the Pennsylvania State University. After retiring, Mr. Raetsch and his wife moved to a community on Lake Wallenpaupack in northeastern Pennsylvania.

 

ELLEN RAINERI, Ph.D.    

For over 15 years, Ellen has conducted training sessions through her own company to numerous corporate and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, she has worked as a trainer for Penn State University where she was responsible for the design and delivery of training programs at campuses throughout Pennsylvania and at university departmental retreats. She has also taught graduate and undergraduate courses for Penn State University, Wilkes University, and College Misericordia.

Ellen also has worked in corporations as a VP of IT Sales, IT Sales Branch Manager, Sales Director, and Technology Specialist. She continues to work through her own company as a Trainer and Management Consultant. She also provides facilitation services for strategic planning and creativity. She is the author of a book on business and spirituality called “Wisdom in the Workplace: On the Job Training for the Soul” which has been endorsed by Mark Victor Hansen (author of Chicken Soup for the Soul series) and Ken Blanchard (author of The One Minute Manager). She has been interviewed on Lifetime TV as well as in numerous other TV, Internet, and newspaper media.

Ellen earned her Ph.D. in Organization and Management. She also earned an M.B.A. in Information Systems in which she won the sole medal for Excellence in Business. She earned a B.A. in English and Education as well as a B.A. in Computer Science. She also received extensive training in leadership, creativity, innovation, facilitation, sales, entrepreneurship, and customer service.

 

BRUCE A. RIVERA             

Bruce A. Rivera is the founder of Marshbrook, which specializes in professional development for businesses and individuals. From his office in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Rivera serves the greater Northeastern region of Pennsylvania. His focus is on small companies with layers of supervision, and clients who are sole proprietors, as well as individuals looking to improve themselves through coaching. Marshbrook serves a vital need by facilitating the America’s Rising Stars youth leadership development program to prepare youth for their future.

 He is a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force with a diverse background in satellite analysis, communications, maintenance quality control, and professional military education. He has formally taught leadership, management, and supervision at the junior college level to over 5000 enlisted supervisors, many of whom went on to higher rank and increased levels of responsibility in the Air Force. He was a senior trainer for a health care company, and helped to open a brand new customer service center in 2000. He has also authored a training program for an entire print manufacturing company, to include 63 press and pre-press positions, as well as the administrative portion. In addition, he piloted a sales development course for the company’s distributor network.

 

Mr. Rivera is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Development. He holds an Associate Degree in Instruction from the Community College of the Air Force, and is a certified technical trainer through CompTIA CTT+ Certification. He holds a certificate in facilitation from Resource Associates Corporation, with whom Marshbrook is affiliated.

 

He is a member of Business Network International, on the Board of Directors of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Business, and a member of the Abington Business and Professionals Association. He is a life member of the Air Force Association and the Air Force Sergeants Association.

 

MARY JANE SARAS, LCSW         

As the Vice President of Leadership Development for Creative Energy Options, Inc., a global firm dedicated to transforming your world of business through leadership development, coaching and consultation, Ms. Saras provides training and educational programs on team building through outdoor adventure, conflict resolution, leadership development, communication skills and workplace relationships. 

She is a lead facilitator of “Total Leadership Connections”, a four-session leadership development course creating climates for success. This multimedia learning forum is designed to provide rich experiences in extraordinary leadership practices. The unique Pattern Aware Leadership Model™ educates leaders about how to identify patterns that lie beneath the surface and impact all levels of individual, team and organizational success. Mary Jane’s group process and group development expertise enhances a team’s ability to work at high performance. She conducts corporate team building retreats using interactive team building activities including a Low-Ropes course.

 

Mary Jane is proficient in engaging audiences of 25 to 400 people. As an educator and social worker she brings unique skills to the world of work in learning how to manage the people maze in every business. She holds a BA from Clemson University and an MSW from Marywood University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania. She has been recognized for her leadership abilities and is an Athena Award Recipient.

DENNIS L. SCHLEPPY     

Dennis Schleppy, known as an innovative strategist, a pragmatic implementer, and an excellent educator, has over 30 years of leadership experience in various organizational arenas. As a senior Vice President leading multiple plant/multi-cultural operations for a “world class” pharmaceutical excipient company, President/CEO of a global security systems integration company, and as a consultant working on corporate recovery, Dennis has a proven track record of outstanding performance and accomplishments. 

His broad-based technical experience includes ultimate and/or direct responsibility for organizational functions such as performance planning, training, strategic planning, legal affairs, supply-chain management, manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance, and environmental, safety, and health policy development; as well as recruitment; benefit plans; and compensation. Dennis is founder and principal of Ecoprise, Lehigh Valley, PA.   Ecoprise specializes in working with the senior leadership of organizations in transforming their organizational culture from one of inconsistent performance or dysfunctionality to one of sustainable high performance. 

 

Education at Temple and Villanova Universities led Dennis toward continuous executive studies and research including programs such as strategic & operational planning, organizational psychology, manufacturing queue theory, pharmaceutical GMP’s, quality systems inspection techniques, Baldrige Award criteria, corporate governance and risk management principles. He is a certified Quality and Productivity facilitator and graduated from the US Coast Guard Command (Leadership) School. 

 

DAVID SORIN        

David Sorin is President of Management Mpowerment Associates, a company providing leadership and organizational development, strategic planning and executive coaching to individuals and organizations of all sizes. David’s true passion is working with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial organizations, including law firms and healthcare-related businesses and practices, helping them to overcome obstacles, achieve their potential and improve their results. Sorin works closely with individuals and organizations to bring about positive change through leadership development, emphasizing values, ethics and culture, seeking alignment between individuals and the organization and focusing on results. He pushes his clients to remain innovative and entrepreneurial in spirit in order to find and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly changing, competitive marketplace.

 David is also an attorney of thirty years and has been a business consultant to numerous companies, many in the special events industry. His experiences as an attorney representing startups and small business, combined with his many years starting and operating his own businesses, have given him a unique perspective. 

David has been extremely dedicated to and involved in professional education, striving to create professionalism in every industry in which he has worked. He has written numerous magazine articles, and Sorin’s book, “The Special Events Advisor: A Business and Legal Guide for Event Professionals” was published by John Wiley & Sons in late 2003. In addition, he has been an active speaker in the special events industry, previously speaking at the 2006 IT&CMA/CTW Convention in Pattaya, Thailand, The Special Event, The Event Solutions Expo, American Rental Association meetings, Industrial Fabric Association and Tent Rental Division meetings, ISES Conferences for Professional Development and Regional Education Conference. 

 

David is currently on the Board of Directors of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce, Co-Chair of its Government Affairs Committee and a member of its Healthcare taskforce; a member of the Chester County Board of the Southeastern PA Chapter of the Red Cross; Vice Chairman of the Board of SEPAC, and a member of the Pennsylvania Health Lawyers Association; and a Senior Scholar in the Department of Health Policy of Thomas Jefferson University.

 

TED WARREN       

Ted is a Senior Consultant with Growth River, a company that offers highly-experienced business growth consultants who design and execute growth itineraries for many environments: Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Biotechnology and High Tech, Manufacturing, E-Business, Telecommunications, Consumer Package Products, Food & Beverage, and Retail.

 Together with Richard Hawkes and Steve Manobianco he provides simple business tools with unsurpassed results: Strategic planning, Leadership and Team Development, Executive Development Coaching, Sales and Marketing programs, Process Improvement, Project Management Training and Execution, and Best Practices for Board Governance.

 

Ted was Manager of Professional Development for McKinsey & Company in Oslo, Norway before he established the HR Department for Opera Software AS. He also devoted twenty-one years to high school education as a teacher and school principal. His book, “The Teenage Edge” was published in 2005.

 

Starting his academic career at Harvard College, he moved to Germany and graduated with a degree in Modern European History from the University of Oslo. After many years of broad international experience, Ted is fluent in German and Norwegian.