Facilitators

Tim Smith

Tim Smith brings hands-on experience in project management, operations, and business development across diverse industries and international contexts. From overseeing the build-out of new cafés and school canteens with Joma Bakery Café in Hanoi to managing the launch of a mid-size coffee roasting facility in China, Tim has a track record of turning plans into operational success. His background in construction management and business administration further strengthens his ability to guide projects from concept to completion.

What sets Tim apart is his ability to combine operational know-how with cultural insight gained from over seven years of living and working in Hanoi. Speaking Vietnamese well and understanding the local context, he is well positioned to support robust dialog between western instructors and local clients. Whether coordinating projects, developing new products, or supporting day-to-day operations, Tim brings clarity, organization, and a genuine desire to see others succeed. He helps entrepreneurs not only understand key concepts but also apply them in ways that lead to growth and sustainability.

Tim’s role is to walk alongside participants, helping them apply course concepts to their real-world business challenges. His approachable style and broad business experience make him a valuable partner in ensuring that participants leave not only informed but also equipped to take confident next steps in their businesses.

Joshua Kugler
Joshua Kugler brings a blend of experience in corporate accounting, financial planning, and business operations developed over more than a decade across banking, food and beverage, and construction industries. The founder of Kugler Services, he partners with business owners to strengthen their financial practices, improve planning and forecasting, and align day-to-day operations with long-term goals. His background includes senior leadership roles at Joma International, leading investment planning, cross-border teams, and guided the company through major operational transitions.

What sets Joshua apart is his ability to connect high-level financial strategy with the realities of running a business. He is known for his collaborative approach and for helping leaders cut through complexity to focus on the decisions that matter most. Drawing on both technical expertise and operational insight, he equips business owners to make thoughtful, confident choices that move their organizations forward.

Joshua’s goal is to walk alongside participants as they work to apply the program’s principles within their own organizations. His steady presence, practical mindset, and broad business experience help ensure that participants not only understand the concepts but also leave ready to put them into action.

Advisor Cadre

Jim Barker
Former Global Director of Process Engineering, Hexion | Operations and Engineering Executive
Jim Barker is a chemical engineer and global operations leader with more than four decades of experience leading large-scale manufacturing organizations across North America and Europe. A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Jim built his career in the chemical industry, advancing into senior leadership roles responsible for multi-site operations, process engineering, and global technology strategy. His work has required balancing operational excellence, financial performance, safety, and long-term capital investment across complex industrial environments.


Throughout his career, Jim has led organizations overseeing up to eight manufacturing facilities in the United States and five in Europe, in addition to joint venture operations internationally. As Global Director of Process Engineering for Hexion, he guided worldwide process optimization, established technical standards, and supported major capital projects. He has served at the board level for an international joint venture, contributing to strategic and financial oversight. Central to his leadership has been developing strong management teams, mentoring engineers and plant leaders, and building cultures of accountability, continuous improvement, and disciplined execution.

Now serving as an independent consultant through James Barker LLC, Jim advises companies on operational effectiveness, project management, and strategic growth initiatives. As a Highmark advisor, he brings a steady, systems-oriented leadership perspective grounded in global experience. His ability to align people, processes, and performance equips participants to scale their organizations responsibly, strengthen leadership teams, and build operational foundations that support long-term success.

Paul Leinweber
Former Risk Management Advisor ExxonMobil Refining and Chemicals
Paul Leinweber is a retired Professional Engineer (PE) and 33 year employee of ExxonMobil Refining and Chemicals. A graduate of Louisiana State University, he began his career at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company in New Jersey. He took a leave of absence early in his career and served as a volunteer for the US Peace Corps in the Seychelles building roads and water supplies on the 3 main islands. Back at ExxonMobil he served in numerous technical, maintenance and operations positions at the Baton Rouge Petrochemical Complex retiring as the Risk Management Section Head.


As technical supervisor Paul recruited, hired and trained many professionals early in their careers. As supervisor in other areas of maintenance and operation the focus of his work was to develop employees and enhance their long term career development. Paul led many cross functional teams focused on driving continuous improvement in the organization. He later became an expert in Process Safety Management and served as the Leader of the Safe Operations Committee for 12 years. Paul also conducted Operational Safety Assessments at 9 ExxonMobil domestic sites in addition to the Singapore, Fujian (China) and Campana (Argentina) facilities.

As a Highmark advisor, Paul brings a disciplined, systems-oriented leadership perspective shaped by decades of operating within large, complex organizations. His experience developing professionals, leading cross-functional teams, and driving continuous improvement equips him to help participants strengthen execution, clarify roles and processes, and build organizations that perform consistently over time. Paul’s approach emphasizes practical leadership habits that support accountability, resilience, and long-term organizational health.

Jeff Rome
Corporate Strategy Manager & Senior Vice President at JD Bank
Jeff Rome is a seasoned financial services and organizational leader with more than three decades of experience in commercial banking, strategy, and leadership development. A graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Business Administration, Jeff spent over 30 years with JPMorgan Chase, where he advanced through leadership roles across retail banking, business banking, credit management, and national operations. Throughout his career, he managed large, geographically dispersed teams, led complex change initiatives, and consistently transformed underperforming groups into accountable, high-performing organizations.


Jeff’s experience spans local, national, and international contexts, including responsibility for teams across the United States and Manila. His leadership work has included sales and credit management, process improvement, staffing models, performance management, and talent development. He is known for building strong leadership pipelines, improving employee engagement, and implementing systems that align strategy, people, and results, earning consistent recognition for performance outcomes and customer satisfaction.

Currently serving as Senior Vice President and Corporate Strategy Manager at JD Bank, Jeff works directly with the CEO and Board of Directors to design and execute the bank’s strategic plan. His responsibilities include strategic analysis, leadership development, market expansion, and organizational effectiveness. As a Highmark advisor, Jeff brings deep practical insight into leadership and execution, equipping participants to clarify strategy, develop people, and build resilient organizations that perform well over the long term.

Rachel Ransom
Client Growth Executive at MESH
Rachel Ransom is a marketing strategist and brand development professional who helps purpose-driven organizations translate their vision into powerful, cohesive storytelling. With a background in creative leadership and a deep understanding of business strategy, she brings both artistic perspective and operational insight to every project she leads. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Rachel’s career has been defined by her ability to unite creativity with structure—crafting campaigns that not only inspire but also deliver measurable business growth.


As the founder of Magnolia Marketing and co-founder of Living Well, Rachel built and led teams that developed marketing strategies, digital content, and brand systems for clients across industries—from wellness and hospitality to finance and community organizations. Her work consistently centers on clarity, connection, and authentic brand expression, helping clients sharpen their identity and strengthen engagement with their audiences. In her current role with MESH, she continues to guide businesses in shaping narratives that stand out in competitive markets while remaining grounded in their core mission and values.


As a Highmark advisor, Rachel brings a rare combination of creative intuition and business acumen. She equips business leaders to communicate their purpose with confidence, build brands that resonate deeply, and design marketing strategies that drive sustainable growth. Her strategic mindset and passion for meaningful storytelling make her a valuable resource to any organization seeking to align its message, culture, and long-term vision. 

Loren Ransom
Operations Director | Systems Builder | Organizational Development Leader
Loren Ransom is an operations and systems leader with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations improve clarity, efficiency, and execution. His background spans operational leadership, process design, technology implementation, and team development, with a consistent focus on building the systems that enable organizations to scale and perform. Loren works at the intersection of strategy and execution, translating leadership intent into workflows, tools, and operating rhythms that teams can rely on every day.


In senior leadership roles, including Interim Executive Director and Operations Manager at Heritage Ranch, Loren led financial analysis and operational planning, developed multi-year forecasts, and built performance dashboards to support data-driven decision-making. He has designed and implemented CRMs, improved financial and operational reporting, documented SOPs, and streamlined workflows across departments. His experience also includes recruiting and onboarding systems, staff training, and cross-functional coordination—ensuring that people, processes, and information are aligned with organizational priorities.


As a Highmark advisor, Loren brings practical, execution-focused insight into how businesses can operate more effectively. He helps leaders clarify roles, design repeatable processes, and establish performance metrics that drive accountability and continuous improvement. His systems-oriented approach equips Highmark participants to move beyond ad-hoc management and build disciplined operations that support sustainable growth. 

Pat Lovell
Former Principal and Senior Vice President at Gaylord Chemical Company
Pat Lovell is a veteran business executive with more than four decades of experience in the global chemical industry. A graduate of Louisiana State University, he began his career with The Dow Chemical Company, where he progressed through roles in operations, sales, and product management before advancing into senior marketing leadership. As Group Marketing Manager for Chemicals and Metals, and later as Director of North American and Global Distribution, Pat developed and executed strategies that expanded market share, optimized supply networks, and strengthened Dow’s global brand presence.


He continued his career with Gaylord Chemical Company as Executive Vice President of International Business and Principal, leading the company’s marketing and expansion initiatives across multiple international markets. His leadership combined deep technical understanding with a strong commercial perspective, fostering long-term partnerships and positioning Gaylord as a recognized innovator in specialty chemicals. Pat’s career reflects a consistent ability to connect market insights with operational execution, building both customer relationships and organizational growth.

As a Highmark advisor, Pat brings a wealth of marketing and international business experience that bridges strategy and practice. His decades of leadership in global markets equip him to guide participants in developing clear market positioning, scalable business systems, and strong customer engagement strategies. His thoughtful, experience-driven perspective helps emerging leaders translate marketing principles into practical action that drives sustainable success.

Stewart Macleod
Director, Maireann Consulting Ltd
Stewart Macleod is a highly experienced educator and consultant with more than 30 years of expertise in professional training, qualifications development, and international capacity building. His career began in finance and public sector accounting before moving into education and training leadership with Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), where he spent over a decade shaping qualifications and directing courses that equipped thousands of professionals across the UK and internationally.

Since then, Stewart has expanded his work globally, leading consulting and development projects in partnership with organizations such as the European Union and the World Bank. Through his own consulting company, Maireann Consulting, he has continued to design and deliver tailored programs that strengthen professional capacity and organizational effectiveness across multiple countries.

As a Highmark Advisor, Stewart brings a unique blend of technical expertise, teaching experience, and cross-cultural insight. His ability to translate complex accounting and governance concepts into practical, real-world lessons ensures that participants gain clarity, confidence, and actionable skills to elevate their organizations.

Jason Kayser
Founder & Senior Principal, Clear Edge Consulting Services
Jason Kayser is an accomplished global strategist and consultant with over two decades of experience guiding Fortune 500 companies, government organizations, and high-growth businesses through complex transformation initiatives. As founder of Clear Edge Consulting Services, Jason has led multi-million-dollar engagements across industries—helping organizations distill complexity into actionable strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. His expertise spans customer success architecture, business transformation, and program execution, with certifications in Lean Six Sigma, Agile/Scrum, Complex Program Management, and Objectives & Key Results (OKRs).

Known for his ability to connect people, processes, and technology, Jason has advised senior executives on how to align vision with execution, embedding cultures of adaptability and accountability. His work has taken him from shaping enterprise strategy at Duo Security and General Electric to driving international business development initiatives in markets like Ukraine, Uganda, and Vietnam. At every stage, Jason has earned a reputation for navigating complexity with clarity and fostering results that endure.

As an advisor with Highmark, Jason equips participants with practical tools for strategy execution, organizational transformation, and customer-centric leadership. His real-world experience ensures that business leaders leave with not just theory, but actionable insights they can immediately apply in their organizations.
Dan Pennell
Founder and CEO of WMTEK, Site Stacker, Missional Innovator Network, Old Florida Coffee Co.
Dan Pennell is a technology entrepreneur and innovation strategist with over 25 years of experience building solutions that help organizations grow and adapt. As CEO of Site Stacker and WMTEK, he has led the design and deployment of platforms that combine business process management (BPM) and business process automation to streamline operations, deepen engagement, and drive growth.

In addition to his work in technology, Dan founded the Missional Innovator Network, a collaborative platform for leaders leveraging innovation in mission-driven organizations, and Old Florida Coffee Co., a specialty coffee roastery and community hub in Fort Pierce, Florida. His ventures reflect a consistent ability to turn strategic vision into thriving enterprises across diverse industries.

Dan is recognized for his innovative management strategies and forward-looking approach to leadership. He regularly advises organizations and teams on how to apply technology and process innovation to stay resilient and competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Gary Erickson
Former CEO-Director, U.S. Federal Center for Environmental Excellence
Gary Erickson is a seasoned executive with decades of leadership experience spanning the U.S. Federal Government and top global engineering firms. As CEO-Director of the Federal Center for Environmental Excellence, he managed more than $1.5 billion in worldwide services annually and led teams of over 450 in delivering critical infrastructure, environmental, and facility projects. He later advanced into senior leadership roles with MWH, Black & Veatch, and Atkins, where he consistently revitalized underperforming divisions, expanded into new markets, and drove multi-million-dollar growth by aligning strategy, operations, and execution.

Gary is known for building high-performing teams, developing effective go-to-market strategies, and guiding organizations through major transitions. His work has ranged from turning around large U.S. business units to leading international development efforts, always with a focus on measurable impact and sustainable results. In addition, Gary lends his expertise to nonprofit boards, bringing the same strategic insight and accountability to service-focused organizations.
As a Highmark Advisor, Gary delivers practical, experience-driven insights into leadership, strategy, and organizational transformation. Participants will benefit from his ability to distill complex challenges into actionable lessons, equipping them with tools they can apply directly to their own businesses.

Ready to elevate your business?

To get started, submit your application on our website. Our in-country facilitator will reach out to schedule an interview to assess if the program is the right fit for you.
Once enrolled, we will collect basic details about you and your business (at your discretion) which will be shared with our advisors to tailor the program content to your specific needs.

APPLY NOW
Next Application Due Date

31/12/2025

Next Class Start Date

19/1/2026