Eric P. Ahlbrand - Eric Ahlbrand is Managing Partner (Indiana) of The Adeo Group, LLC and the former President of GDS Work Solutions, Inc.  He has provided consulting and training services to human service organizations and employment and training entities throughout the nation.  Eric has also served as a faculty member at Ball State University in the Computer Science Department and is a certified Zenger-Miller® facilitator.

Eric has worked with numerous nonprofit and for-profit entities, assisting with the establishment and operation of training and employee development programs in more than 11 states. Eric has also worked with entities (public and private) develop models for training and development programs in order to connect to individual market segments. Previously, Eric was a District Manager in the competitive retail pharmaceutical industry and was responsible for operations, distribution, and acquisitions.

Eric has repeatedly demonstrated himself as a successful grant writer, securing millions of dollars in funds for numerous organizations, both public and private. He holds degrees from Ball State University.

Gary L. McGriff - Gary McGriff is Managing Partner (Kentucky) of The Adeo Group, LLC.  Gary is a marketing professional having successfully developed, introduced and grown several consumer product lines to market share leadership.  Gary’s capabilities extend beyond new products and include establishing logistics systems for product transportation and distribution; developing and implementing strategic plans to gain new business; organizing solid infrastructure for efficient support of business activities; and, mentoring others in advancing their careers.

Internationally, Gary has been responsible for locating and sourcing new products, establishing support organizations in the Far East and establishing a business base in Europe.  Gary has participated in and survived numerous corporate ownership changes, reorganizations, and leveraged buyouts.  These experiences have added significantly to his business insight.  Gary offers the unique perspective of understanding the user needs and working through assessments, analysis and problem identification to find the best solutions for the client’s contemporary environment.

Gary has enjoyed a successful management career by creating and implementing business development strategies.  His unique approach has involved a number of functional disciplines including product development, marketing, service/product delivery (logistics), customer relationships and new business/new market development.  Gary’s efforts in these strategic efforts have paid major dividends for both private and public sector organizations by moving them beyond their current paradigms.  With 30+ years of hands-on and management experience, including international, attendees will benefit greatly from Gary’s expertise.

Nancy Bolding, Psy.D. - Nancy brings over 20 years experience in the mental health, addictions, and social service field.  During this time she has worked with all ages and in all treatment settings.  The past 12 of her 20 years of experience have been spent in management positions.  They have included: Psychiatric hospital management, Program development and management, Grant writing, procurement, and management, Business development in both for profit and nonprofit organizations, Corporate training,  Professional staff development, Clinical management, Nonprofit operations, and more.

Dr. Bolding holds degrees from Northeastern State University (Tahlequah, OK) and her Doctorate from the University of Southern California.  In addition, Dr. Bolding is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

In addition to her professional work experience, Dr. Bolding teaches college level social science courses in the Indianapolis area.  She is an adjunct professor at Indiana University, Purdue University, Indiana Tech, and Ivy Tech State College.

Nancy is currently working as the Clinical Director of Addiction Services for the Salvation Army in Indianapolis.  She has three grown children and one very special grandson.  Life is short…enjoy it while you can.

Carrie Crosbie, MSW – Ms. Carrie Crosbie, MSW comes to you with over 10 years of experience in social services related field work.  Since obtaining her BA in Psychology (1993), Carrie has worked for local county governments, mental health hospital settings, as well as for profit and nonprofit sectors.  In many of those positions, Carrie was responsible for conducting training sessions for the general public, as well as for her co-workers.  She has been praised for her ability to effectively share information on the level best suited for her audience.  Carrie holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Indiana University (2003) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.

Sharon Bowman - Professional Speaker and Trainer

Sharon L. Bowman, M.A., has been an author, teacher, trainer, and consultant for over thirty years. She works with people who want to fine-tune their information-giving skills and companies that want to offer exceptional staff development programs. She provides staff development and human resource programs for colleges, school districts, government agencies, and private businesses across the country.

Sharon specializes in making learning hands-on, interactive, fun, and memorable. Her services include presenting interactive keynote addresses, high-energy conference sessions, workshops, and seminars. She also offers personal coaching services for teachers, trainers, and public speakers who want to create interactive learning experiences or fine-tune existing ones.

Sharon is the director of The Lake Tahoe Trainers Group, a member of the National Speakers Association, and the owner of Bowperson Publishing Company.

Joyce Duvall - What makes Joyce's work different from other very fine trainers?  Well, she has this policy that says, "If you can't use it on Tuesday, you won't learn it here!"  So, along with sound theory, you'll always get IMMEDIATE practical application to your needs.  Each presentation is freshly designed to meet your specific goals, and all Joyce's study of learning science is utilized.  That means you'll have fun and learn a ton!  Such a deal!

Joyce has facilitated skills development training for more than 15,000 people.  As a performance specialist, her expertise is in applying the science of human thinking and learning to productivity and profitability in the workplace.  Current (and past) clients include: Lincoln National, Allison Engine Division of Rolls-Royce, Link Belt Division of Rexnard Corporation, and Shell Midstream Enterprises Division of Shell Oil as well as dozens of smaller organizations who are learning to stretch their training resources.

Gene Critchfield

Suzanne A. Lowe - Suzanne Lowe is the Director of Customer Relations and she keeps the front end of The Adeo Group, LLC operating smoothly.  Suzanne has experience working in the customer service departments of General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Peoples Drugs as well as teaching experience in several Midwest middle and high schools.  Adeo Group principle owners convinced Suzanne to leave her life of semi-retirement bliss to keep the front end of a growing consulting firm in order!  Suzanne has never had any regrets over her decision to come work for us, and we're glad she is here!

Jonathan M. Kennedy, Ph.D. - Jonathan Kennedy's focus is in governmental relations and he has a wealth of experience as a lobbyist in Washington, DC, Wisconsin, Indiana, and other states.  As a lobbyist, Jonathan specialized in advocating for numerous associations and organizations relative to workforce development programs, welfare programs, and others.  Additionally, Jonathan has assisted in the development of ethics codes for legislative lobbyists in 17 U.S. states.

Jonathan received degrees from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and Harvard Law School.  In 1979 he completed his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois and embarked on his career as a lobbyist and consultant.  A dynamic public speaker, he is a frequent guest lecturer in Political Science departments across the U.S. and Canada, and teaches on an "irregular" basis at Harvard, the University of Michigan, and Ohio State.

Karen L. Sloan - Karen Sloan recently managed a number of challenging programs that dealt with parenting, young fathers, life skills, teen mothers, job readiness, counseling and adoption.  She also spent 7 years with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Family and Children at the Central Office.

Karen designed the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Client Assessment tool used by IMPACT and Welfare to Work Programs.  Karen served as the Executive Director of the Indiana Epilepsy Association and has been associated in Child Protection Services in three different states.  Karen earned her B.A. from Anderson University and is a Certified Social Worker.  Karen has also coordinated statewide training conferences on epilepsy, autism, assessment and welfare reform.

C. Ted Ward - Ted has a decade of experience as a practitioner and chief administrator in the field of Adult and Juvenile Probation. In 1995 he received certification as an Alcoholism Counselor and Drug Abuse Counselor (CAC/CDC) through the Indiana Counselor’s Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA).  In January 2000, he began as an Instructor with the Criminal Justice and Criminology Dept. at Ball State University and became a full-time faculty member in August of 2000.  He has taught courses in Criminal Justice Systems, Criminology, Corrections, Addiction, Crisis Intervention, Juvenile Justice, Research Methods and Data Analysis. Ted currently serves as an Associate Director of Correctional Education in the School of Extended Education.

Ted has served as District Representative and President of the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana.  During his tenure with this organization, he was instrumental in the overall membership growth (350%) of the organization as well as the development of an Annual Conference, a Scholarship and a worldwide presence through an internet web site. In addition to that involvement, Ted has served in leadership capacities and boards of numerous other interest groups and human services organizations throughout Indiana, helping to positively impact the lives of thousands of “at-risk” persons.

Ted is experienced at program evaluation from both a process and outcome perspective, and currently serves as an evaluator with the Madison County, Indiana Drug Court. Furthermore, he has conducted research and presentations on probation practices and information management, as well as risk factors and differences amongst probationer variables. He also has prior research and professional experience in recruiting, interviewing, and selecting quality professionals in the field of community corrections.

Most notably, Ted is spearheading the development of an “ex-offender” re-entry pilot program in partnership with The Adeo Group, LLC.  The Strengthening Transitional And Re-entry Training (START) program is one that is designed to serve ex-offenders and probationers as they re-enter and/or engage in making meaningful contributions to society.  This year, thousands of ex-offenders, juvenile detainees, and others will be released from secure detention facilities and they will return to their communities and families - a fact that will have a significant impact on thousands of lives either directly or indirectly (individual, family, community, etc.). In addition, many more will be placed directly under Court supervision in the community as an alternative to being incarcerated or detained.

Michael Szakaly, Ed.D.