Wayne Bell

Chairman & CEO

Design4Eco, LLC
Process Consulting
www.design4eco.com

Marjorie Herter
President
Vee See Construction Co., Inc.
General Building Contractor -

Commercial & Institutional
www.VeeSee.com

Clark Bellin

Co-Owner

Mundy and Associates

Wealth Management

www.mundyandassociates.com

Rick Herbst

Managing Director

Levi Littell Herbst & Co., LLC
M & A Advisory

Carlyn Berghoff

Berghoff Catering & Restaurant www.berghoffgroup.com

Jim Caldwell
CEO
Caring Communities Shared Services
Insurance
www.caringcomm.org

David Dastur
Senior Principal
Jensen & Halstead, Ltd.
Architectural Firm
www.jensenandhalstead.com

Craig Fichtelberg
President
American Travel Solutions
Travel
www.amtrav.com
www.CheapAir.com

Chris Bates

StratEx Partners

Michelle Ernsdorff, VP Marketing

IBA Molecular

Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturer
www.iba-worldwide.com

Daniel Ren

Director of Finance

Illinois Eye Institute - Illinois College of Optometry
Out Patient Eye Clinic
www.illinoiseyeinstitute.com

Gretchen Hartke

Director, Client Services

Type A Learning

eLearning Company

www.typea.net

Mike Hartman

Vox, Inc.

Marketing and Communications Consulting

www.voxinc.com

Business organizations usually provide intangible benefits that are not easily quantifiable; better management skills, improved leadership, etc. Vistage, however, has produced for me very quantifiable increases in revenue that can be directly attributed to applying what I've learned from the executive sessions. Originally resistant to joining any organization that requires any more time commitment, I am now trumpeting the benefits of continuing the learning process through Vistage membership.

One of the unique aspects of running a business - whether as CEO, owner, founder, or all of the above - is that you are given the freedom, and the burden, of setting agendas for you and your company. There is often no other person holding you accountable for your decisions or your actions. With Vistage, all that changes. Through the one-to-one meetings with Mikki, and then the in-depth issue discussions with the group, there is no question that you are accountable. I've found that the group helps you question many of your assumptions, resulting in better decisions for your company. And then Mikki consistently guides and tracks your progress. With Vistage, you can't help but move forward.

Like many entrepreneurs, I started a business that needed me on a day-to-day basis. This led me to be caught up in the everyday details, instead of being focused on growing the business. Vistage has been helping me hire, delegate, manage, and become the leader that I need to become for extraordinary growth. Vistage is continuing education at the highest level for business, beyond what graduate school was able to teach. Vistage is the one place I can go to have my business questions answered, and as Mikki would say, my answers questioned.

I have become a different person since I've been in Vistage. I look at my business much differently. I feel I'm not alone, I have my group to talk about things that matter most. I know I'm always going to get good advice. My return on this investment has been 1000%.

Vistage is providing a unique and beneficial opportunity for me. The monthly meetings with my group are especially enriching. Here we have the opportunity to learn about our many different businesses and share the issues affecting our careers and personal lives. I enjoy hearing about and discussing the challenges facing the members. I especially enjoy hearing about their successes and exciting opportunities. The Vistage speakers I have seen are knowledgeable and insightful, and there is always something important and valuable to learn during each presentation. Also, the Vistage web-site is an exceptional resource for information and communication. The Vistage Voice (available at the web-site) is an excellent topical business journal. Vistage creates an environment, experiences and resources which I believe enable its members to achieve greater success and a more fulfilling life.

My experience with my Vistage group is like discovering a third arm. I can scratch itches I never knew my company had. Vistage has helped me have something of an "out of company" experience. I am able to intellectually float over my company and observe my organization's behavior from a new vantage point. From a practical perspective, Vistage is only as good as three key elements: the commitment of your fellow Vistage members, your courage to apply the insights gained and the ability of the chair to mindfully manage each moment for maximum impact. Fortunately, I have been blessed to experience all three.

If small business is the engine of the economy, then Vistage is the entrepreneur's mechanic, service station, and parts supplier. So unless you have all the answers, Vistage will be useful to you. And if you do have all of the answers, then please join Vistage so that we can call on you from time to time. If you want to be held accountable, Vistage is the place to be. The Vistage monthly session is an exhausting process, and it should be exhausting. It is an exciting environment that can be loving, confronting, energizing, and draining all at the same time. The intellectual power and problem solving ability of this group is mind-boggling; anything is possible with this kind of a team. Mikki has blended such a unique and diverse group of people together that it seems at first glance that we wouldn't even be able to say "hi" to each other, but the dynamic created has resulted in a bond that could withstand a nuclear attack. It is safe to say that each person in the group would "take a bullet" for another in the group.

Joining Vistage provided immediate, targeted stress relief when the economic challenges of the past year were really beginning to wear on my psyche and resolve. The critical counsel, channeled energy, and peace that I obtain via participation in this organization has generated measurable returns on my investment, and is, in fact, priceless.

Imagine a group...no, a team of professionals with different talents, varied business experiences, and approaches that you can rely on for smart business advice in managing, marketing, financing, operating, expanding, or selling your business. Imagine hundreds of noted expert speakers available to you in a small, intimate, Q-and-A format. Imagine a resource library of articles available to you on every subject that you will encounter in running your business. And then imagine a supportive team of people, your own Vistage group and Chair, that will ask you the tough questions, play devil's advocate, demand that you do the same for them, and hold each other accountable for the implementation of actions designed to make their businesses better. And imagine an entire network of engaged Chairs that will prompt each other to deliver information or business recommendations at your beck and call.

The day I joined Vistage, I didn't know I could impact another's business ideas or decisions. My cottage industry business was completely different from all the other companies sitting around the table. Within several meetings, I was extremely comfortable with my questions, advice, and solutions. Now, I even use my own advice! I never thought I could be a part of a group who happens to love, care, and inspire in the world of entrepreneurs. Mikki is our glue and the reason why all that HAPPENS.

The ability to communicate with so many other business owners constructively, is the true value in Vistage. Each member's business is at a slightly different stage in development but all the issues that surface are those that we have already been through or will face at a later date. Discussing the issues forces each member to think through situations that they may have to face in the future, offer input toward issues they have already been through, and apply new ideas and techniques to present dealings in their own work environment. Mikki comes prepared, holds us all accountable, and keeps the meetings and conversation flowing forward which is always critical when you have so many entrepreneurs with so many ideas.

My Vistage group meetings and one-on-ones with Mikki Williams have provided me with invaluable tools, insights and accountability to grow my practice and to help manage my firm more effectively. Discussing business problems with my group members gives me a better understanding of the business needs of my clients. The Vistage speakers have shared a wealth of strategic ideas and tactical tools to help me better manage my personal practice and have added value to my role in firm management. I have also learned new marketing methods directly applicable to my business development goals and better means for monitoring my progress. My individual monthly meetings with Mikki tie it all together as I endeavor to stick with the plan.

I have only been a member of Vistage for about 3 months but it has been a most engaging experience for me. For the first time, I am devoting effort to working "on my business", not just "in my business". I have benefited from highly qualified speakers who make their presentations to a small group, giving us an opportunity to drill down to issues that are pertinent to each of us. I am now beginning to utilize some of the resources available to us through the comprehensive Vistage Website, wherein lies a library of topical material on relevant business issues. Our CEO group is comprised of varied personalities coming from diverse business backgrounds which helps us to dissect challenges from many different perspectives and ultimately, we all benefit through this collaborative process. As our chairperson, Mikki is very effective in orchestrating our discussions, helping the group get to the core of each issue and then holding us accountable for creating and administering a plan of action. Already, our company has been able to address and conclude quite satisfactorily a very delicate personnel issue that we had discussed yet evaded for several years. My Vistage membership has been well worth my investment in time and money.

When I was first asked to join Vistage, it seemed that this was just another job to add to my list, but now I can't seem to live without it. Vistage has brought me to a different vision about business and life. It is a calming island in my otherwise hectic and overworked world. It has provided insights into business and provided answers to questions for which I had no other source. I have been a member for 2 years in a key group and have never missed a meeting. Missing a meeting means missing important information and enlightenment. I truly believe that everyone in business could benefit from joining Vistage.

Through Vistage and the help of my Chair, Mikki Williams, I have grown in several different areas. Vistage has taught me to communicate better, delegate, have self confidence, mature, and most of all assist me in bringing my business to the next level! I have made Vistage a priority and a commitment. I can honestly say that it is one of the best decisions I have ever made, personally and for business.