ORLANDO - coming in 2011
Our speakers are expert guides who will equip you for your church construction expedition. They are carefully selected and then evaluated after each session. The result is an outstanding lineup of experts who effectively deliver the critical information you need -- without giving an infomercial for their companies.
2011 Orlando Conference speakers
David Loveless, lead pastor of Discovery Church in Orlando, Florida, is known as a spiritual adventurer. He lives each day as an opportunity to explore more of the life Christ offers. As a leader and dynamic speaker, he is extremely passionate about helping others make spiritual discoveries and challenging them to make immediate and practical application to their lives. Under his leadership Discovery Church, a non-denominational, Christ-centered church, has grown into a vibrant multi-site church currently with 11 worship experiences at three campus locations. David was recognized as “one of the top 20 Christian leaders in the US to watch” and Discovery Church has been recognized as “One of the 10 Healthiest Churches in America” and “One of the Fastest-Growing Churches in the U.S.” David also acts as frequent speaker, consultant and coach to business and church leaders who desire to become measurably more effective. He is also co-author of the book Taking Your Church off Pause as well as a contributor to upcoming releases with the Willow Creek Association’s REVEAL project.
Barry Banther is a sought after business consultant and inspirational speaker. He has written over fifty leadership training programs used by Fortune 500 companies around the world and smaller regional businesses throughout America. Barry combines three decades of experience as a business leader, corporate executive, and public leader to make sure you are answering the right questions to develop your team and grow your business. Barry served in the administration of three Florida Governors as the appointee to oversee private higher education. He was elected to an unprecedented four terms as Chairman of the Florida State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities. This body of work has earned him the highest accreditation from the Institute of Management Consultants as a Certified Management Consultant and from the National Speakers Association as a Certified Speaking Professional. He is one of less than 50 Professionals world-wide to hold both designations.
Kevin G. Ford is the Chief Visionary Officer of TAG, a management consulting firm headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia. Kevin’s expertise extends from strategic planning and organizational development to competency-based management and leadership development. He has developed strategic plans for hundreds of organizations nationwide and has taught leadership development in numerous settings. He is also creator of the Transforming Church Index, a powerful assessment tool. Kevin’s previous years of experience in ministry combined with this extensive background in management consulting brings a powerful focus to his ongoing work to help churches become more effective in ministry.
Jim Sheppard is CEO and principal of Generis, a consulting firm promoting the cause of generosity for God's Kingdom. He is an avid student of generosity in the church. Additionally, Jim is a proven leader and inspirational speaker. Jim is one of the leading consultants in the field of raising capital funds, having led 100 church campaigns that cumulatively have produced over $800 million in funding of Kingdom related projects. Represented among his clients are some of the largest church capital campaigns in America.
Mel McGowan is one of the youngest Principals in a national Architecture / Urban Design firm. He spent a decade with the Walt Disney Company, where he transitioned from a background in film / production design towards community design (following “Walt’s footsteps” and passion trajectory from toons to EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow). Post-Disney, he co-founded Plain Joe Studios, a multi-disciplinary design studio providing strategic branding, multimedia, and environmental design. He founded Visioneering Studios in 2002. He speaks extensively on sustainable Christ-centered community and is the author of Design Intervention: Revolutionizing Sacred Space.
Evan McBroom is founder of Fishhook, a marketing communications and creative services company. He is dedicated to serving as a communications partner and resource with churches and Christ-centered organizations. He combines the passion of his faith journey with the expertise he gained during his 14-year career with one of central Indiana’s largest corporate communications and marketing companies. Through Fishhook, he now provides churches with senior-level communications consulting services. Evan is a guest lecturer, presenter, emcee and trainer for numerous organizations. He and his wife are active in adult and children’s worship arts at The Church at the Crossing in Indianapolis.
Ed Bahler, CEO of Aspen Group – the Midwest’s premier church design and construction company, holds an engineering degree from Purdue University. His passion is to significantly impact individuals and communities by assisting churches in accomplishing their vision and mission. As CEO, Ed works closely with the Aspen Group team to develop and deliver planning, leadership, finance, architectural and construction expertise – expertise that ensures a powerful faith building experience for the church as well. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Family Institute.
Bill Couchenour has served as President of Cogun, a church design and construction company in the Southeast, since 1994. From 1982 to 1994 he launched the Florida District of Cogun and served as District Manager. Bill has a business degree from Youngstown State University, an MBA from The University of Tampa, and maintains a Florida Contractor’s License. He has served in various capacities for his local church and other organizations including Youth for Christ and Heartland Christian School. Bill is the author of the book, Churches... Before You Build.
Steven P. Fridsma, AIA LEEDAP is an architect and serves as the Worship environments Leader at Progressive AE, an award-winning, full-service, green architecture and engineering firm in Grand Rapids, MI. He is passionate about examining cultural, technological, and spiritual forces as they relate to new models for ministry facilities for each church client’s unique ministry context. Steve has been involved in leadership at two church plants and has served four churches designing and leading worship. Steve is also a guest instructor in architectural design and theory at Calvin College. In 2007, Steve received the AIA Grand Valley chapter's “Young Architect Award".
Mark Thomas is Vice Pres., Bank of the West - Church Loan Division. Mark assists churches in acquiring financing for construction, land acquisition, refinancing and permanent long-term loans. Mark worked in the secular for-profit world for a number of years until he felt directed to serve the business/management needs of a local congregation. He served three congregations in this capacity over a 10 year period. Mark has also served as a denominational lending consultant. Mark is an active member of NACBA. He also has been a featured presenter at numerous church building conferences. Mark’s love for the local congregation, understanding of the fiduciary responsibilities of church leadership teams, and passion for stewardship - coupled with his thorough understanding of commercial financing - guide him in his practical approach to church lending.
Jim Couchenour began his career serving churches 20 years ago as a Project Consultant with Cogun. He currently serves as Director of Marketing and Ministry Services, and has developed tools for growing churches to bridge the gap between the church and unchurched. Jim has spoken on these subjects at many conferences, and has written a number of articles on church ministry in postmodern culture that have appeared in national Christian magazines. He graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and received his MBA from Youngstown State University.
Tim Cool is a graduate of Mt. Vernon Nazarene University. He has been dedicated to working with the Christian community in the areas of design, consultation, construction, financing, needs analysis, site/property valuations and procurement. Since 1986, Tim has served numerous churches throughout the Carolinas and Georgia and is Vice President of Development for Cogun. He maintains his North and South Carolina broker’s license and is a member of the International Code Council.
Greg Snider, Aspen Group Project Developer, came to his current position with 12 years of field construction experience, six of which were spent building churches. Greg serves as a deacon and worship team leader at his church. He also served as building committee chairperson for his church, an experience that gives him insider knowledge of how to serve churches during planning and construction. In his current role as Project Developer, Greg works with dozens of churches each year, helping them translate their visions into effective designs and then finished, ministry-enhancing facilities.
Brad Eisenmann is Vice President/General Manager of Aspen Group. He has an engineering degree from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Northern Illinois University. Since joining Aspen Group in 1994, he has served as Design/Build Manager, Director of Business Development and Vice President of Project Development before being promoted to his current role. Brad is very active in his own church. He is a lay minister and has served in several leadership roles. His knowledge of the church community and the planning, design and construction process is extensive.
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