I just wanted to give you an update on how your classes and you have changed my life. I want to thank you first of all because every class I attended, you went out of your way to make each one of us feel special. I look at so many things with a different aspect since your training. It has made me realize how we take so many things for granted in life and make so many unfair assumptions. For many years I went through life feeling like I was missing something and now because of you I know what it was. What I was missing was right in my own home, my family I spent so much time worrying about work and rushing trying to balance everything and everyone and you made me realize that unless you are happy and balanced at home it will not follow through in business. I think so many of us are trying so hard to be successful that we forget about the major achievements we have already accomplished and that is our family. I never realized what a leaders role I was playing at home and I never thought about the type of legacy I would leave behind or if I would even leave one at all. I have always tried to be a good person but I really find myself stopping to think before I act and really caring so much more about peoples feelings than I did in the past. I ask myself so many questions now and find myself skimming through the pages of the books you so graciously presented to us to help me find the answers. I just wanted you to know that I feel I am a much more caring and gracious leader now not only at work but definitely at home. Thank you so much Jack from the bottom of my heart for helping me find what I was missing. Please don't ever lose the passion you have for people. I hope you know what a powerful person you are, you really do put people first. God Bless!

Darlene Sarmiento
Sales / Service Manager, Riverside Bank

I just wanted to let you know how very much I enjoyed 'People First"!!! I have been through numerous leadership classes in the past 25 years, but this is the first class that addressed all of the things that are truly important in life (both business and personal). I found myself listening to you and hearing many of the same things I have said over the years to my bosses at some of the 'big banks'. Saying those things to them was like talking to a brick wall. It was very refreshing to hear it presented by you with all of your enthusiasm for life. I learned so much more than I ever thought possible. I have used many of the techniques at home with my family, particularly my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. At work I am really trying to use the pyramid daily with my co-workers. I always think those things, but I am really trying to verbalize them everyday. We have really noticed a difference in many of our purpose partners already. I am hoping that we can continue to grow our personal relationships with all of our purpose partners (both internal and external) and make Riverside Bank an even stronger community bank than we already are. We just got the news that we were voted 'Best of the Cape'. Two of our associates were also voted 'Best of the Cape' for financial planner and mortgage originator.

Again, thank you for sharing all of your wisdom with us here at Riverside. The world will be a better place if we take all that you have taught us and spread it to everyone we touch daily.

Thank you and God bless,

Jacque Sander
Riverside Bank

Concerning what I got from your "People First Leadership Class", I believe everyone walked away with something different. For some it was very intense and personal, for theirs it was an increased awareness, and for others still, it was a door to living life differently and with a more positive vigor.

For me, I believe I have come away from the experience with a more acute awareness of how I affect others, either positively or negatively. I tend to not see myself as a particular big deal, and therefore haven't paid that much attention to a variety of behaviors, good or bad. Now I see that, no matter how I see myself, others have a perception of me, or at least a perception of what I'm supposed to be. Therefore, I need to pay attention to things I say and do, and to how I manage and lead people. I need to be careful that I don't slight someone by ignoring him/her, that I don't fail to recognize excellent work, that I don't fail to mentor and coach, and that I don't fail to practice what I preach.

I think I set out to find a way to open up my heart, but I do not think I achieved that. I am a little closed by nature....OK, very closed. I don't often open up. The class has, however, made my heart and my mind more aware of my environment and those who live and work in it. I believe my level of sensitivity to others is up significantly, as is my knowledge of how I affect others, as a result of your class. All in all, for me the class was worth it.

Richard Anthony Hull
EVP/Chief Lending Officer, Riverside Bank

I enjoyed this course immensely. It offered an opportunity to reflect, not only on my career, but on my personal life, as well. Although I am not in a leadership position with Riverside, I feel that this course enabled me to become a leader for the future. I was able to absorb much of the valuable information that you shared with us and look forward to sharing with others. I appreciate your caring nature and responsiveness.

Erin Casale
Loan Review Assistant, Quality Control, Credit Department, Riverside Bank

Thanks so much for taking the time to educate and train our team on Leadership skills. I have thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and am sure they will enable us as a team to grow immensely as a family unit first and secondly as an organization.

Personally, I have learned to make a conscious effort to "appreciate" the good things people do in our lives and take that home with me and practice this there first on a personal level which allows me to be more of a "nice" person as well in the workplace.

I believe the course has allowed me to be more of a "positive" thinker and to focus more on the good side of what people have inside them.

Thanks, again, Jack for all you have done and the time commitment you have made to us personally and on an organizational level. I APPRECIATE YOU !!!

Randall Graber, Riverside Bank

Dear Jack and Company, I just attended another of your sessions from your “The Leader’s Leader” seminar.  I am the youth pastor here at Covenant Community Ministries in Fort Myers, FL where you have been teaching these last couple weeks.  I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you what an honor it is for me to attend your sessions.  I have had the distinction of sitting under men and women of greatness in large and small settings in my life.  And when I am in the room with you, I feel I am listening to a man of greatness, one that I will see on TV very soon and tell people that I had the privilege and honor to be trained by him personally.  I was on the path to being a very sad statistic.  I was blessed to attend a bible college under the direction of Pastor Rod Parsley.  I have sat under some of the best teaching on leadership and vision that anyone on the planet could.  I have heard a lot of the catch phrases “Leaders are readers”, “You aren’t a success until you have a successor” and so on.  The sad part is I have waded out into the depths of my career and slowly grafted to a survivors mentality.  I don’t live the Logos that I was trained to live.  I am not the leader that I would want to work for.  I have failed to be what I was created to be.  That has begun to change since I have started attending your seminar.  You have not only rekindled the passion inside of me to be the best leader and example I can be.  You have reminded me of the truths of leadership I have learned and forgotten years ago along with teaching me your insight and wisdom on this crucial topic.  And just becoming a husband 12 days ago, I desire more than ever to be the man and the leader that God created me to be.

I know that no one man could accomplish everything you are doing right now.  And I just wanted to send this email to encourage not only yourself, but also your purpose partners that what you are doing is working and worth it.  Not only are you affecting my life, but the lives of my family, all those involved with our ministry, and the youth who are the leaders of tomorrow.  It is a blessing to have you placed in my life.  I believe that your presence here teaching us is no accident, but a divinely designed encounter that God will use to affect me for the rest of my life.  I am a better man, a better husband, and a better pastor because of you and your organizations commitment to put people first.  Thank you for everything.

Living the Dream

Charles Small
Pastor of Student Ministries, Covenant Community Ministries

Your passion for your mission, your love for people, and your commitment to truth, wisdom and excellence is a combination that results in a powerful message which challenges people to step up to the plate of personal responsibility.  You have a unique ability to captivate, inspire, and change the lives of people you come into contact with.  Never before have I witnessed such a direct and immediate impact on the lives of myself and my colleagues (purpose partners); a testimonial to your talent and effectiveness.  I want to let you know that you have made a positive difference in my life, and that of my family. For this I am very grateful.

Louise Booth
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Easy to read, motivational, inspirational, helpful on both personal and professional aspects of your life. I highly recommend reading this book and getting your employer involved in this type of mentality in the workplace. My purpose partners at work have all been positively effected by this experience and now I have the greatest job in the world at the greatest company in the world. A truly wonderful program.

Jayme Webber - Ft. Myers FL

After a sales career that spans 43 years I am delighted to say that I found a book that has been a tremendous help not only in my sales career but in my personal life. your seminars are the best I have ever attended in the last 40+ years. I am so glad that I was able to attend as I am entering the twilight of my career. believe me you can "teach old dogs new tricks". thank you again and good luck.

Mike McGee - Cornerstone Kitchens