Fireside Chat with PDA Founder Dennis Kessler

Overview

Obtaining your first or your next board seat does not happen overnight. It is a journey involving preparation and focused effort combined with intentionality and persistence.

Gain insight for your board journey from PDA founder and current PDA board member, Dennis Kessler, who has served as a chair on public, private, ESOP and non-profit boards. Join the Southern California chapter, in conjunction with the National Board Director Opportunities Committee, for our October monthly program.

Speaker 

Dennis Kessler is a seasoned entrepreneur who has worked for public companies, private companies, and his own family company. He is currently the President and Founder of Midwest Family Business Advisors. Dennis has been a board member for public, private, ESOP and non-profit organizations. He is a hands-on leader with a collegial leadership style who builds collaborative teams emphasizing continuous improvement. Key focal points:

• Strategic planning
• Corporate governance structures
• Manufacturing executive
• Change management leader
• Technical management
• Family business succession planning
• Team builder and coach
• Family office structures
• Operations management
• Consensus builder

Dennis has served on advisory and fiduciary boards including the compensation, audit, as well as nominating and governance committees where he has held the role of chair. These boards represent the following organizations:

• W. E. O’Neil Construction Industries, Inc.
• PERMA-PIPE International Holdings, Inc.
• Universal Automotive Industries, Inc.
• Oxford International, Ltd.
• Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
• Washington University’s Engineering School Council
• QuesTek Innovations LLC
• Swank Motion Pictures, Inc.
• Ideal Industries
• Fel-Pro, Inc.
• Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
• DePaul University’s College of Commerce

Prior to launching Midwest Family Business Advisors in 1998, Dennis was Co-President of Fel-Pro, Inc. He also held leadership roles at DuPont, Union Electric, and Orchard Paper Company.

Dennis possesses an MEA (engineering and business) and BSIE (industrial engineering) from Washington University in St. Louis.

Moderator

Dr. Ryan Lahti is the Founder and Managing Principal of OrgLeader. As a strategic advisor to STEM organizations, executives and board members, Ryan specializes in helping leaders excel in the face of risk and uncertainty.

Ryan combines business experience serving Fortune 500, middle market and emerging companies in 20 industries with a background in leadership and organizational effectiveness spanning three decades. Prior to founding OrgLeader in 2006, he worked for global consulting firms including Ernst & Young and Hay Group. He also held corporate positions overseeing leadership and organizational development.

As a thought leader, Ryan is the author of The Finesse Factor: How to Build Exceptional Leaders in STEM Organizations. He is a frequent speaker on risk and uncertainty as well as a contributor to Forbes on leadership and organizational effectiveness topics. Ryan has been featured on NBC TV, Inside Forbes Councils and in publications such as Fast Company and CIO.

Ryan serves as the Co-Chair of the National Board Director Opportunities Committee and Chair of the Southern California Board Director Opportunities Committee for PDA. Find more information about Ryan and OrgLeader at OrgLeader.com.

Registration

Complimentary for Members and Guests of Members

$30 for Non-Members

Thank you to our National Sponsors!