"There are only two times. Now, and too late."

CEO / SENIOR CONSULTANT

Michael's 37 years of domestic and international business experience bring an abundance of valuable knowledge and insight to the Align Group and its clients. With 23 of those years spent as a successful C-level executive across nine different industries and headquartered in five different states, Michael understands culture and market diversity, as well as the critical importance of strategic alignments. And as a former corporate executive, a fortune 500 manager, an aggressive business expansion team builder, a mergers and acquisitions ambassador, an international manufacturing and importing facilitator, a process redesign and company restructuring architect, and a human resource and culture-creating leader, Michael has the experience, perspective, and passion to guide you and your team successfully through any situation. He also has personal experience and insights for the entrepreneurial inclined, with multiple successful start-up businesses and franchises.

Michael's business acumen is complemented by his education at Brigham Young University's School of Business Management, where he graduated second in his class and was recruited into the prestigious Ford Motor Company Management training program. He continually accumulates education and insights from a variety of sources, including programs such as Authentic Strengths Advantage, Franklin Covey Leadership & Time Management, Zenger Miller Leadership, ISO9000 Compliance, CSM Customer Service, Dale Carnegie “Effective Speaking/Human Relations,” CEM Personnel Law, and others.

Michael’s first business consultant role in 2004 built on his previous 10 years as a popular volunteer ecclesiastical leader, counselor, and public speaker, establishing a passion for his later experience in the franchise world as a conference speaker and presenter.

Now, Michael brings his leadership skills, extensive executive business experience, formal and informal education, entrepreneurial mindset, and passion for helping others to the Align Group as a Senior Consultant, Trainer, Keynote Speaker, and ASA Certified Coach.

SENIOR CONSULTANT

Steve is a consummate professional executive, who has spent 30 years in business leadership with multiple  companies in Aerospace, Pharmaceuticals, and Healthcare. His educational background includes BS in Business/Finance (BYU), MBA in Marketing (CSUC), and advanced graduate training in Marketing (UCLA).  

During his tenure in Healthcare, his company was twice voted by the Great Place To Work institute (Fortune), a top 25 small to mid-size company in the United States to work. He and his healthcare leadership team successfully negotiated numerous buy/sell transactions with one of the largest players in healthcare (CVS). His executive roles included Director of Operations, Marketing Manager, VP of Marketing, Executive VP, COO, President/CEO. He was active member of Vistage (CEO Mentoring association). 

He is an ASA Certified Coach, and throughout his career he has coached, consulted, trained, and mentored hundreds of colleges and team members. Steve’s significant experience, passion for success,  and his drive to mentor and help others achieve their highest potential, in their careers and in their personal lives, is the catalyst behind Ascend Coach, Consulting, and Training.