About JerryI was born and raised in Goshen, Connecticut. My father was a banker, my mother a secretary/bookkeeper. I have two older brothers. After high school, I attended the University of Connecticut and received a degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut School of Business. In college, I met my dream-girl and married her five months after graduation. That was in 1978 and we're still happily married today.
My first job out of college was as an assistant controller with Waring Products (the people who make blenders and food preparation equipment). While there, I was lucky enough to meet an older employee, who took me under his wing, showed me the ropes, and quickly assessed that for my career growth - I needed to take my skills to a bigger company, which I did within the year.
I was hired at Aetna Life & Casualty as a programmer trainee in 1979. I had the idea that, if I worked with computers for four years, that and my finance degree would make me very valuable to some lucky company. Well, five years later, when I tried to make this jump, I was told that I was either a programmer with five years experience or a finance guy with one out-of-date year. So much for a 'blended background.'
I stayed with Aetna for 17 years and had a great career with a great company. I learned management, leadership, and a lot about business and the systems that make them work. I had started as a trainee and ended up in middle management running an electronic publishing business unit. In the 90's my division was sold to another insurance company.
Anyone who has survived a corporate takeover knows that it isn't fun. I was one of the "unlucky ones" who actually had a job. I was put in charge of a business unit I had no experience in, with employees who were not very happy that "Some Aetna Guy" was now their manager. I lasted for six months and then decided to leave.
I was hired by a consulting firm with about 60 employees and worked there for the next five years. I traveled and learned a lot about different companies and management. My assignments were in municipal government, software firms, insurance companies and dot.coms.
I first heard about coaching in 2001 and immediately started training at CoachU to be a business coach. I hired one of the best coaches in the world, Amy Ruppert, as my own mentor and coach, and she is still with me today.
Within 18 months, I transitioned from employee to full-time business coach, running my own business with private and group clients. CoachU hired me as a faculty member, and I continue to teach one or two classes each month. I've since been certified as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation.
My success can be measured in many ways, but here are my bullet points:
*Financially: I've created a business that has grown by an average of 25% QUARTERLY since inception.
*Professionally: I'm a valued partner with each of my clients.
* Contribution: I'm able to give my time and talents to a number of nonprofit and charitable organizations (e.g. Rotary International, International Coach Federation)
* Teaching: I love to teach and I do that at CoachU and Windsor Adult Education, and through my speaking engagements.
* Creating: I continue to create new products and services to help my clients become successful.
* Play: I play golf almost every day from spring to fall at a private course here in Connecticut. I play my guitar and sing as often as I can.
* Family: I love, support, and cherish my wife and two daughters.
* Career: Every day - I do what I love. That's the key to it all.
I love coaching business people and helping them achieve success in their business and personal lives.
There is nothing I'd rather do. Nothing.
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