The Symposium Experience

Margie Aliprandi » MLM FIELD LEADER

Margie Aliprandi, has been a top leader with Neways, for more than 17 years. Her organization of a few hundred thousand distributors spans 23 countries and is home to some of the most respected network marketing leaders throughout the world. Margie remains loyal to Neways to this day, traveling the world to inspire individuals to go for their dreams. She is one of the top and most respected distributors in the industry who has shattered many of the preconceived notions of what's truly possible by becoming the first Crown Diamond Ambassador in North America.

Dell Brown » MONAVIE - Growing MonaVie-Things I Wish I would Have Known

Dell brings a wealth of experience in business development and leadership to the network marketing industry. As the director of product development for a now billion dollar network marketing company, he successfully launched dozens of new products in the competitive global health and wellness market. In addition, Dell has served as an operations and strategy consultant, assisting clients in both the health care and technology industries. Prior to earning the title of President and COO, Dell served as an advisor to and general manager of MonaVie, where he was instrumental in advancing the remarkable growth of the company.

Craig Case » MLM EXECUTIVE TRAINING

Craig Case has extensive experience in corporate sales, global training and strategic development with such companies as Daimler Chrysler, Walt Disney Company, UPS, Merrill Lynch, Avon and Nu Skin Enterprises. He has trained over 80,000 people in the United States and in 15 countries throughout the world in the principles of personal productivity and organizational effectiveness. He is also a past board member of the Direct Selling Association.

Spence Clawson » CLAWSON CONSULTING - Managing Your Business Through Strategic Planning

Spence has provided strategic consulting and advice for direct sales companies ranging from MLM Startup to Fortune 500. He has been the president and/or CEO of three direct sales companies-Stampin' UP!, Close to My Heart and Gold Canyon. Spence has directed the strategic planning, marketing, compensation, field training and operations of companies resulting in market expansion. He has led funding and capital financial transactions including LBO's, private equity financing, IPO's and capital funding.

Jane Deuber » MLM LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Helping you uncover the leader you are meant to be. Jane delivers high-energy, content-rich programs that leave company executives happy and the distributors ignited and re-focused on achieving their goals. Jane Deuber's direct selling career began in 1987, when she and her husband founded a party plan company in Northern, CA. During her 13 years as Chief Executive Officer, she earned a reputation for building a quality company focused on the needs of the distributors. After selling her company in 1999 Jane established a consulting company that specialized in developing cutting-edge, distributor-based sales and marketing programs.

Kevin Grimes » MLM LEGAL

Mr. Grimes has over 20 years of diverse and expansive legal experience in all aspects of corporate operations and commercial transactions, including direct selling and MLM law. This takes in: consumer protection laws; food, drug, cosmetic, and dietary supplement law; contracts; international law; and distributor compliance. He received his undergraduate degree from The Colorado College in 1982, and his Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University in 1985. From there he spent four years with the U.S. Army JAG Corps. In 1989 he practiced law in Idaho, and in 1992 he joined Melaleuca, Inc. where he started its Legal Department. In 1995 he started a practice specializing in the legal needs of MLM and direct selling companies.

Steve Hooper » MLM OPERATIONS

Steve Hooper is a recognized industry name in technology and operational strategy and has had the unique opportunity to head up the Technology Group for two explosive international companies, Quorum International and New Vision International. Through the design and implementation of technology and operational infrastructure, he helped grow these companies from startups to more than $200 million in annual wholesale sales. He currently heads up Ivey Consulting

Bob Hipple » VP of SALES, SCENTSY, INC.

With 30 years direct sales experience, Bob has participated in virtually all aspects of the industry - as a customer, an independent distributor, an industry consultant, and as a corporate executive. Bob uses his detailed knowledge of the direct sales model to help drive rapid growth for Scentsy and long-lasting success for Scentsy's passionate independent Consultants. He is actively involved in designing Scentsy's field training, leadership development and Consultant Support. Bob views his role at Scentsy as a "stewardship" to protect and promote business for the Consultants and the company.

After 13 years in the field building a personal downline, Bob entered the corporate side of the industry where he managed sales for two of the largest direct sales software companies in the industry. He has trained thousands of direct sales representatives, been a guest speaker at Direct Sales Association (DSA) and MLM Symposiums, and acted as co-founder of a party plan company. Bob is also a member of the DSA Education Committee, and the owner of Eaglecap Consulting, LLC, a direct sales consulting firm.

Nicki Keohohou » MLM CONSULTANT

Nicki began her career as a distributor in the direct selling profession more than 30 years ago after choosing to leave her teaching position. She built successful personal organizations, has spoken to direct sellers at conventions around the world, consulted to hundred of companies, and held executive positions in several companies. She co-authored the best-selling books Build it Big and More Build It BIG: 101 Insider Secrets from the Top Direct Selling Experts.

Connie Kittson » FIELD LEADER

National Sales Director, Connie Kittson, joined Mary Kay in 1987 and debuted as a Sales Director the next year. She personally has 22 offspring Directors and is a member of the Millionaire's Club, which means that she has earned more than $1 million in commissions during her Mary Kay career. Connie was named Miss Go-Give November 2002 and achieved the National Court of Recruiting and the National Court of Sales. Connie also has the distinction of being a Star Consultant every quarter that she has been in the company and has earned 12 free cars over her career.

Brian Little » MLM SOFTWARE

Brian is the president and founder of AccuSource, an operational outsourcing company specializing in the Network Marketing Industry. Brian has been involved in the MLM industry for many years serving in various capacities including: industry consultant, service provider, vender, and an Account Manager for a premier MLM software vendor. Specializing in software integration and operational processes, Brian has helped open multi-level companies in the USA as well as several countries in Asia, Europe, and South America. He has gained a very high level of experience and knowledge in the field of Information Technologies, especially as it pertains to the Network Marketing Industry.

Jeb McCandless » MLM CONSULTING

John "Jeb" served as Senior Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer at USANA Health Sciences from 1995-2002. During his tenure, USANA's sales grew from under $20.0 million a year to nearly $130 million a year over a four-year period. Jeb holds graduate degrees in both science and business and has over 25 years of management experience. He serves as a consultant to multi-level marketing companies and is on the Board of Directors of XELR8, a publicly held multi-level marketing company, in Denver, Colorado.

Gerry Nehra » MLM LEGAL

Gerald's 36 years of legal experience include 8 years on the IBM Legal Staff, and 9 years as the Director of the Amway Corporation Legal Division. His private law practice was established in 1992 and exclusively serves the legal needs of direct selling companies. Mr. Nehra is on retainer to both long term and start-up direct selling companies to protect their legal interests. He is a support member of the Canadian Direct Selling Association, the Professional Association of Network Marketing and the Direct Selling Woman's Alliance. He is a frequent speaker at direct selling seminars, and writes for industry publications.

Neil Offen » DIRECT SELLING ASSOCIATION

Since 1978, Neil H. Offen has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the 99-year-old not-for-profit Direct Selling Association (DSA), the national trade organization representing 300 direct sales firms, and their 15 million independent salespeople, plus 250 supplier member companies. The Association's mission is "To protect, serve and promote the effectiveness of member companies and the independent business people they represent. To ensure that the marketing by member companies of products and/or the direct sales opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics and service to consumers." In 1983, Mr. Offen was inducted into the Direct Selling Hall of Fame, the highest honor the direct selling industry can bestow. In addition, he serves as secretary general of the 62-nation World Federation of Direct Selling Associations and as vice chairman of the Direct Selling Education Foundation. He also serves on the Key Industry Advisory Committee of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Association Committee of 100” as well as its International Policy Committee.

DJ Poyfair » MLM LEGAL

D.J. Poyfair represents corporate and individual clients in business litigation, including multi-district, class action and other complex litigation, before state and federal courts throughout the country. Specializing in commercial litigation, Mr. Poyfair has represented such industry giants as USANA as well as the individual Distributor.

Ron Price » MLM EXECUTIVE TRAINING

Ron's career in the direct sales industry began with the AIM Companies as an independent distributor. He later became president of the company. During Ron's 11 years at AIM, he built and supported a staff and sales force that tripled the size of the company, expanded into 8 new countries and grew to $70 million in annual revenue. With experience as a distributor, corporate executive and company owner, Ron is known for bringing clarity to tough problems. Ron is also the author of Finding Hidden Treasures, a series of essays combined with action steps to aid readers in mining their own inner talents. As a speaker, Ron has traveled more than one million miles, giving more than 1,000 speeches in 12 countries. He is a member of the National Speakers Bureau and speaks to organizations around the world on such topics as strategic planning, business innovation, organizational growth and talent management. Ron is the founder, President and CEO of Price Associates, a management consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations develop clarity and achieve transforming results.

Derk Rasmussen » MLM CONSULTING

Derk Rasmussen has been involved in consulting services since 1983. He has spent a considerable portion of his consulting career in the areas of business valuation, investigative accounting, damage analysis, projection and feasibility analysis and bankruptcy/liquidation consulting. Derk has performed over two hundred business valuations on firms doing business in a wide variety of industries. He has also been involved with the Utah Venture Capital conference and has assisted a wide variety of start-up companies with business plan presentations to venture capitalists.

Greg S Reid » Millionaire Mentor Inc.

Filmmaker and Motivational Speaker Greg S. Reid is a #1 best-selling author, entrepreneur, and the CEO of several successful corporations, who has dedicated his life to helping others achieve the ultimate fulfillment of finding and living a life of purpose.

In addition to being published in over 35 books and featured on Nationally Syndicated programs across the country, he is also the creator and producer on the International acclaimed films Pass It On, and Three Feet From Gold.

In his latest project: Think and Grow Rich: Three Feet From Gold – Turn your Obstacles into Opportunities (co-authored with Sharon Lechter of Rich Dad, Poor Dad), Greg has been gifted the opportunity to follow in Napoleon Hill’s famous footsteps by sitting down with leaders of the day to discover how they persevered through challenging times.

Jim Richmond » MLM TAXES

Jim holds a BSBA (Accounting Major) from Aquinas College and MST (Master in Science in Taxation) from Grand Valley State University. Jim has over 30 years experience in the tax field, including 19 years as Sales, Use & Excise Tax Supervisor for the Amway Corporation. Jim is currently President of Professional Tax Service Inc. which he founded in 2000. His company works with numerous MLM companies in the area of state and local taxes. Jim has also authored many articles on state and local taxes for companies in this industry.

Jason Sherwood » Du0 - Brandcraft

Jason is a brand strategist, design expert and marketing consultant. In over 14 years of creative experience he has designed and directed award-winning and highly successful work for Nike, Intel, Microsoft, Autodesk, Callaway Golf Footwear, Legacy Health, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, Tektronix and many others. Jason utilizes a keen understanding of visual language, voice, archetypes and audience resonance to establish brands. His years of proven experience allows him to work with companies that are household names as well as new start-ups. In addition to his creative consultancy, Jason has recently stretched his own entrepreneurial muscles by co-founding Choffy, a direct sales company dedicated to the great taste and health benefits of brewed chocolate.

Mark Shurtleff » MLM LEGAL

In November of 2000, Mark Shurtleff was elected to his first term as Utah's Attorney General.

"If you do it right and do it legal, direct sales is one of the greatest ways to help people realize the dreams, benefits, and advantages of a free market system.".

John Terhune » MLM CONSULTANT

John Terhune is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Law where he won a National Trial Competition as the premiere student trial advocate in the country. He then spent almost a decade as an assistant state attorney prosecuting over 200 jury trials while simultaneously working as a University Instructor. During the 90's John reached a top level of achievement in Amway. His natural ability to reach into people's heart and inspire them to take action has made him a highly sought after speaker. He has spoken in front of more than 250,000 persons in eight different countries..

Orville Thompson » MLM EXECUTIVE

After graduating with honors from the University of Washington, Orville had plans to attend graduate school to become a history professor. Like many, he found his initial dream sidetracked while he went to work to support a growing family. Formal graduate school was replaced with years of experience developing one of the largest specialty retail companies in the West, selling products through state fairs, trade shows, mall kiosks and direct response television commercials. In 2004, he purchased Scentsy, moved it to Idaho and set to work building a party plan company around the products. He lives in Boise with Heidi, his wife, and their five children. One day he hopes to discover a hobby.

Terrel Transtrum » MLM CONSULTANT

Terrel Transtrum started his business career at Melaleuca at the beginning of its historic growth period to $250 million in annual sales. During that time, in charge of distributor service and internal operations, Terrel started with the company when it had 35 employees and was part of the team that helped to grow the company to more than 1,100 employees, 250,000 active customers and distributors, and $240 million in annual revenues. Since 1988 Terrel has worked with more than 130 companies, thousands of executives and managers, and hundreds of thousands of field reps and distributors, observing retention best practices in the office and in the field, training organizations in the office and in the field, and developing the most efficient methods of delivering the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques that guide clients toward retention mastery.

Ron Wade » MLM CONSULTANT

Ron Wade received his MBA in international business from the Thunderbird American Graduate School of International Management and holds Bachelor's degrees in Finance and Marketing. He is currently Managing Director for R&R International Consulting where he works with numerous direct selling companies on international expansion and development. Prior to co-founding R&R Consulting, Ron was Director of Marketing and Director of International Development for EOLA International. He has worked and lived in 25 countries around the world, and is the co-creator of the popular "Express" international expansion model.

Janet Wakeland » FIELD LEADER

Janet Wakeland is the kind of leader every Company owner would like to find. Her loyalty has made for a long and successful career, having grown her party plan organization to more than 2700 consultants. As a Senior Director for Stampin' Up, Janet has been awarded 11 cruises, 6 Founders Circle titles, has served on her company's Advisory Board for three terms and is consistently in the top ranking for total sales, top recruiting and leadership promotion awards. Janet is a role model outside her company as well. She is a contributing author to Build It Big, has been interviewed for Jan Ruhe's books, profiled in various industry publications and appeared in the popular recruiting DVD, Dream It Big, Build It Big.

Craig Wennerholm » MLM SOFTWARE

Craig Wennerholm is Vice President of Sales for InfoTrax Systems, one of the leading providers of software and systems to both domestic and global Network Marketing companies. In addition to his years of industry experience at both InfoTrax and 20/21 Interactive, he brings 12 years of Fortune 500 experience to InfoTrax, having worked with the Omnicom Group, a global marketing conglomerate and Joy Technologies Inc. Craig regularly shares his expertise with both industry leading companies and the many startups that work with InfoTrax, and is well qualified to address the technology issues facing network marketing companies today.

Ron Williams » MLM EXECUTIVE

Ron is committed to a philosophy of using his time, talent and resources to making a difference in the world, one person at a time. He has successfully led multi-million dollar corporations with his unique talent for creatively bringing intangible concepts to life. He is also an award-winning filmmaker, author, and music writer/producer. In the Network Marketing industry, Ron is a 20-year veteran. He started in the industry as a distributor at NuSkin, and eventually became the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Neways. Williams then became the CEO at Young Living Essential Oils before starting his own company, Brain Garden. After a brief retirement, Ron decided to start the international organic wellness company ForeverGreen International. In 2006, ForeverGreen acquired the Brain Garden and became a debt-free, publicly traded company. Ron currently serves as the CEO, Founder and Chairman of the Board at ForeverGreen. Ron sits on the MLMIA (Multi-Level Marketing International Association) Board of Directors.

Kent Wood » MLM EXECUTIVE

Kent spent most of his career auditing, consulting or being employed by some of Utah’s most successful multi-level marketing companies. One of XanGo’s six founders, his many years of experience prepared him for his role as XanGo’s original CFO. Since then, Kent has served in many capacities, namely XanGo’s COO, President of Operations and President. Kent also held the honor of being named one of Utah Business Magazine’s 40 Under Forty in 2008, an annual award that recognizes some of the most successful and significant businessmen under the age of 40 throughout the state.

Lee Wright » MLM LEGAL

Lee graduated from the University of Utah with his JD in 1999, where he was a published member of the Utah Law Review. He clerked for Judge Gregory K. Orme at the Utah Court of Appeals after graduation then joined the law firm of Kirton & McConkie in 2000 in their International Law Practice Section. His practice focused on advising clients how to handle foreign business transactions or introduce products into foreign countries, deal with foreign governments, locate and manage foreign legal counsel and cope with or avoid overseas litigation. Lee has developed an expertise in international licensing, franchising and distribution agreements and has assisted companies in establishing joint ventures in China. He has also written articles on direct selling issues internationally, has helped clients with introducing direct selling activities into other areas of the world and analyzing legal challenges to introducing such activities. He has worked a great deal on legal matters in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia for various clients. He maintains an of-counsel relationship with Kirton & McConkie, and is presently a fellow at the BYU International Center for Law and Religion Studies and Vice-Chair for the International Section of the Utah State Bar.