About Us

 

Bernard Brookes, PhD, MBA – President

  •  As a leader in change management, strategic planning, needs assessment and market research, learning, organizational effectiveness, and human capital, Dr. Brookes highly experienced in management consulting, federal government contracting, health services and education. Achievements include:
  •  Providing consultation to businesses and government for over 20 years, including leading needs assessment, marketing and  evaluation research of training and other programs, strategic planning and facilitating organizational change and transformation.
  •  More than 20 years experience developing and delivering corporate and academic education; including  online technologies such as WebEx, GoToMeeting, Wimba, DimDim, Blackboard, WebTyco and others. Developed executive coaching program and MBA courses as Professor at the Graduate School of Management & Technology, University of Maryland, University College.
  •  Taught research methods and statistics to graduate business students..
  •  Previously an executive in the private sector and in government and a successful entrepreneur, co-founding and growing two businesses to over one hundred employees.
  •  Former Professor and Leadership Coach with the Graduate School of Management & Technology at University of Maryland, University College;  Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School and has taught at Boston University and University of Lowell.
  •  Earned PhD in Psychology and MBA from Boston University

AFFILIATES

SOPPHIA has more than 30 affiliates across the US. These consist of highly experienced senior consultants and leaders of small firms. We bring all these resources to bear on projects that involve geographical and/or subject matter diversity, or that require a large number of consultants. Our affiliates include:

Charles J. Hicks, II, PhD

 

Dr. Hicks’s offers a total of 35 years of coaching and consulting experience. His capabilities include Executive Coaching for Leadership Development - which involves leadership assessment and preparation of a developmental strategy for leveraging strengths in key leadership competencies that will contribute to the strategic business objectives of the organization and the professional goals of the incumbent; Performance Improvement Coaching – which involves identifying performance gaps and priorities; assessing capabilities and requirements for success; and, Career Development Coaching – designing and delivering career support services and workshops including assessment feedback, goal setting, strategy development, change management, and action planning workshops.

 

Examples of his coaching experience include:.

·         Coached participants from a variety of industries and corporations that were engaged in the Center for Creative Leadership Development’s (CCL) flagship one-week Leadership Development Program; delivered training, facilitation, assessment feedback, and coaching services for 20 years.

·         Facilitated the development and delivery of a Career Enhancement Program at the National Ocean Services of NOAA, Silver Spring, MD. for GS 13-15 employees – included career assessments, goal-setting, action planning and the preparation of IDP’s.

·         Served as a Career Coach at the Goddard Space Flight Center of NASA in Greenbelt, MD - responsible for designing workshops and delivering Lunch & Learn workshops, career assessment and coaching services.

·         Served as Career Coach at the Department of Commerce, Washington, DC. – Staffed the Career Center, designed and delivered workshops, delivered career assessments, feedback sessions, goal-setting, action planning, change management and resume writing workshops.

·         Coached Environmental Protection Agency Candidates who were participating in an annual Senior Executive Service Career Development Program being prepared for the Senior Executive Service in the Federal Government.

·         Coached U.S. Department of Agriculture Candidates who were participating in an annual Senior Executive Service Career Development Program being prepared for the Senior Executive Service in the Federal Government.

·         Coached U.S. Department of Energy Candidates who were participating in an annual Senior Executive Service Career Development Program being prepared for the Senior Executive Service in the Federal Government and worked with in-tact teams to support their Action Learning Project.

·         Coached GS14 & 15 level Candidates who were participating in an annual Senior Executive Service Career Development Program at the Federal Executive Institute preparing them for Senior Executive Service in the Federal Government over a period of five years.

Dr. Hicks earned a B.S. degree in Industrial Education from Central State University, Wilberforce, OH Industrial Education, a MA in Counseling and Guidance and a PhD in  Counselor Education & Social Psychology from Ohio State University. He is skilled in assessments including: Benchmarks, CPI, DISC, ECI, EQ-Bar-on, FIRO-B, CDI, TKI, MBTI-Step II, Profiler, 16PF, Skillscope, Insights, Strong, Career Enhancement Report, and Careers Anchors.

Martha Chase, Ph.D., M.A.

 

Dr.  Chase is an experienced educator, trainer, and organizational consultant serving managers and executives. She holds a doctoral degree in Educational Psychology and Evaluation and a Masters of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  She has been recognized for providing program excellence to the Food and Drug Administration (FRA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), fostering integrity and innovation with best practices, and exercising disciplined attention to achieving immediate and long term goals. For the FDA, she designed, developed and implemented Career Development and Leadership Mentoring Programs for the Office based on the Office of Personnel and Management’s (OPM) best practices, as well as research on successful mentoring programs. She also designed and developed a candidate selection tool kit for hiring new employees, particularly executive officers.

 

She is a candidate to be a certified executive coach with the College of Executive Coaching (Pismo Beach, CA) and the International Coaching Federation. Her interest is in assisting Federal employees with career and leadership development. Marty has provided executive and career coaching as well as training to all staff levels, including senior executives, at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Moreover, she developed the interview standards based on competencies for hiring new executives and other staff at the Office of New Drugs, Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She also designed and developed a mentoring program for the Office’s staff of 900 employees. At present, she provides executive coaching and team development retreats in her private practice for offices at the NIH.

 

She is certified in the MBTI and experienced in a number of assessment instruments such as the FORM Q, FIRO B, 260, 360, Strong Vocational Interest Inventory and others. Her areas of consultation include:

 

Leadership Effectiveness: Executive Coaching and Mentoring

Coaching teams to Achieve Trust, Commitment and Communication

Meeting and Event Leadership Curriculum Development

Inspiring Commitment

Collaboration and Team Building/Development

Initiating and Implementing Change

Emotional Intelligence

Conflict Resolution (including, developing a zero tolerance anti bullying policy)

Overcoming Negativity and Barriers to Success

Selecting, Developing and Retaining Talent (Strategic Approach Tools)

Succession Planning

Managing Diversity

Managing a Multigenerational Workforce

Communication Skills

Being Influential

Giving Feedback

Developing an Individual Development Plan (IDP) or Executive Development Plan

 

Jerald Duff, Ph. D.

 

Dr. Duff is Founder, Lead Consultant and Managing Partner of The Duff Group. He is an executive coach, author, training facilitator, professional speaker and continuing lecturer. A natural presenter, Dr. Duff was recognized early in his career as an engineer with additional professional assets to the organization.  His ability to communicate and hold a room’s attention eventually led to promotions into management and ultimately into the foundation of The Duff Group. With over 25 Years experience in Executive Coaching and Leadership Development Training, he has coached over 10,000 learners in 13 world areas totaling approximately $30M in savings. 

Prior to the consulting industry, Dr. Duff spent 15 years in the manufacturing world managing Fortune 500 Companies; including The Copeland Corporation where he oversaw 1200 employees and a budget of $50 million.

 

An active and ongoing life coach, Dr. Duff stays active in for-profit, non-profit, and government sectors.  He is skilled in team building and leadership, executive coaching, personal/organizational assessment and conflict management.  His personal skills and energy make an excellent combination for working with like-minded people intent on developing their careers.    

Dr Duff has a Ph.D. in Leadership Development from The Union Institute, a MS in Executive Coaching from Wright State University, a MBA in Organizational Development from University of Dayton, and a BSIE Industrial Engineering from Ohio State University.

 

John C. Spooner

 

John C. Spooner is the President and founder of The Genesis Consortium, Inc. He leads an experienced team of highly accomplished professional organizational development consultants and facilitators, who service fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and multinational companies worldwide.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois, John served for fifteen years at two major financial services institutions: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago, Illinois. At the Harris Bank, John progressed to Vice President and Director of Human Relations, for this multi-billion dollar organization. He was responsible for managing the following: All internal human resources consulting and counseling; executive compensation; salary administration; EEO/AA initiatives; leadership development training; and executive coaching.

John has over twenty years experience as an organizational development consultant, earning his professional certifications from two premier consulting firms: The Hay Group and J. Howard & Associates. He has expertise in developing and delivering a wide variety of intervention programs including: training workshops, OD consulting, executive coaching and the utilization of various leadership/organizational climate assessment tools.

Thedis Miller, EdM                                              

 

Thedis Miller is a visionary Executive with 26 years proven experience in Human Capital Management Services, Business Development, Marketing, and Operations. She brings an entrepreneurial approach to conducting business as CEO of SEW Inc. She has demonstrated that she is a creative self-starter with a proven track record in Professional Development, Sales, Sales Delivery and Customer Satisfaction.  Using an analytical and savvy approach for conducting day to day business for SEW, Inc.

 

Thedis has constantly upheld the company’s mission which has resulted  in successes in the government and commercial marketplace.  The ultimate goal of her leadership skills is to become a business entity that customers can rely upon for successful execution of their business needs.  She is known throughout the industry as a strategist and problem solver.  She always is able to identify opportunities and leverage relationships and team with others on programs and projects to ensure the customers success. Thedis is a Certified Project Manager with an Ed.M in Education and Psychology.

 

Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™

 

Mark, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is an acclaimed keynote and kickoff speaker as well as "Motivational Humorist & Team Communication Catalyst" known for his interactive, inspiring and FUN programs for both government agencies and major corporations.  In addition, the "Doc" is a team building and organizational development consultant.  He is providing "Stress and Communication, as well as Managing Change, Leadership and Team Building" programs for the 1st Cavalry Division and 13th Expeditionary Support Command, Ft. Hood, Texas and for Army Community Services and Family Advocacy Programs at Ft. Meade, MD and Ft. Belvoir, VA.  Mark has also had a rotation as Military & Family Life Consultant (MFLC) at Ft. Campbell, KY.  A former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant for the US Postal Service, The Stress Doc is the author of Practice Safe Stress and of The Four Faces of Anger.  See his award-winning, USA Today Online "HotSite" -- www.stressdoc.com -- called a "workplace resource" by National Public Radio (NPR).  His clients have included: 

Corporations: INOVA Health Systems, Cleveland Clinic, El Paso Natural Gas, Northrup Grumman, Kindred Healthcare, Circuit City, Booz Allen Hamilton, Brookings Institution, DuPont Corporation, Comfort Keepers, SAP--Human Capital Forum/ASUGS, and others.
Associations: Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), Louisiana CPA Society, Accounting Administrators Assn -- Florida Chapter, VA College Access Network, Intl. Assn. of Admin. Professionals, American Chemical Society, Idaho Correctional & Juvenile Justice Associations, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2005, Human Resource Assn. of the National Capital Area, Society of Human Resources Management, and others.
Government Agencies:  13th Expeditionary Support Command, DOD/4th Infantry Division, DOD/3rd Brigade Combat Team/1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, TX, 3rd Chemical Brigade, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Sonoma County, CA, Govt. Managers Conference, Food Safety and Inspection Service/USDA 10th Annual Diversity Conf., Training Officers Conference Institute, Idaho Correctional Assn., Montana Public Health & Human Services, and others.

 

Rich Hudson

 

Rich Hudson is owner and lead consultant of Hudson Performance Group, Inc., (HPG). Rich has over 25 years of experience working for several Fortune 500 Companies including, Siemens, Trane, Honeywell and Johnson Controls, helping their organizations in human capital development. Mr. Hudson successfully led and facilitated clients and internal staff improvement programs focused on high-tech solutions successfully targeting:

 

• Sales

• Service

• Branch Management

• Front-Line Service Professionals

 

As an expert facilitator, he led a global six sigma team that was successful in eliminating over eleven million dollars in operational costs. The team also analyzed current business practices and developed Branch Six Sigma Green Belts to assist in implementing change processes that eliminated costs. In improving organization performance, Mr. Hudson led several human capital development initiatives and training efforts including: Sales Training, Sales Performance Analysis, Course Design and Development, Business Change Management and Business Process Facilitation. His sales training courses reduced sales turnover by 5 percent in a two year period and senior management directly tied a 4% increase in revenue across one hundred and three branches.

 

Rich has restructured several training departments, where he re-designed and developed new curriculum paths. These changes lead to better hiring decisions, goal development standards and bottom line improvements. He also taught both sales and sales management, courses in facility improvements to business development teams throughout North America. Rich is a professionally certified trainer from the Dr. Ed Jones’ Train the Trainer program. He is the Education Coordinator for the Business Networking International Lincolnway Chapter in

Illinois and a past member of the American Association of Training and Development

Professionals Rich holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI.

 

Patsy Cannon

Ms. Cannon has twenty years experience as a Coach, Sales Trainer, Leadership Development Trainer, Manager, and Major Account Executive.  As an entrepreneur she successfully opened and managed a Curves fitness franchise for five years.  She has led numerous teams of sales professionals to achieve award winning status as well as personal performance awards as both a Manager and as Media Consultant.  As a Trainer, she consistently rated Highly Effective in her evaluations.  Her background in account development includes managing and growing an existing account base, as well as expanding current account base through cold calling, prospecting and networking. 

As a Media Consultant, Ms. Cannon works with her clients to help them achieve their new customer acquisition and retention goals by developing marketing and advertising campaigns.  She brings a wealth of knowledge in competitive marketing techniques, developing effective advertising campaigns, and customer service strategies.  She has worked with clients on proper etiquette to secure appointments via phone, and achieve sales through customer service and sales call process techniques.

Ms. Cannon has written and developed curriculum and delivered training on topics such as sales call processes, account management, account fulfillment, and prospecting.  She has led management training seminars on effective leadership techniques, including delivering SMART goals, and Situational Leadership, among others.  Ms. Cannon developed a Sales Objection Binder that continues to be used nationwide among sales professionals.

Ms. Cannon has a BS from the University of New Orleans and a Leadership Development Certificate from Johns Hopkins University.  She is an engaging speaker and facilitator and incorporates motivational and inspirational messaging throughout her presentations to help energize and empower her audience.