September 2014 President’s Message

September brings our first program of the 2014 – 2015 chapter year! We hope you can join uson September 17 at 8 am at ManPower Group in Milwaukee for Communicating for Results with Don Levonius.

According to research, communication is the number one competency sought by employers and a skill that separates leaders from losers. Average communicators experience miscommunication, misunderstanding, and missed opportunities. But effective communicators are like thought leader E.F. Hutton- when they talk, people listen- and when people listen to a thought leader, results are inevitable. This seminar helps learners recognize and overcome complex communication issues and enhance their verbal and non-verbal communication skills. By the end of this seminar, learners should be able to:

  • Describe key elements, principles, and characteristics of communication
  • Identify common root causes of personal and organizational miscommunication
  • Recognize and compensate for factors that distort perception
  • Convey information openly and listen and respond to others effectively
  • Apply impromptu and persuasive communication techniques to influence others

As a professional consultant, trainer, and national public speaker, Don draws on over 15 years of leadership experience. Early in his 13-year Disney career, Don directed loss prevention and fraud investigations for Disney's Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom theme parks. Following the 9/1 1 terrorist attacks, Don was asked to transform Disney security training to help the company combat the emerging threat of terrorism. Having succeeded in that role, Don was later promoted to lead operations and guest service training for all 23 Walt Disney World hotels, 200 retail and dining locations, monorails, watercraft, and buses. Don subsequently became a senior leader of Disney University, the company's corporate university, overseeing education for its college and international programs. Don was later hired by The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) to manage the design and development of internal audit related courses and was soon promoted to direct the delivery of over 200 seminars offered throughout the US annually. Today, Don is Principal Consultant with Victory Performance Consulting LLC, which has been providing management consulting and training to business, law enforcement, and association management clients since 2009. He holds a master's degree in business and organizational security management and a second master's degree in human resource development.

This is just the start of the offerings our programming committee is working to bring to you this year!

We are always looking for volunteers to help out with chapter activities. Want to get involved? Reach out to any of our officers listed in the about us section of the website or to our chapter e-mail.

We also have a social media presence. You can find us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Please feel free to contact us or contact me directly with any questions, concerns or suggestions you might have.

Diane Kortsch

President 2014 – 2015