Our Contributors
Kevin Ames
Go out into the world and make your mark. Kevin Ames, our Director of Speaking and Training, has been doing that for more than twenty years. He’s traveled the globe as a trainer and motivational speaker, entertaining and inspiring audiences from Washington, D.C. to Beijing. Kevin has successfully coached employees in some of the world’s biggest organizations, including Coca-Cola and American Express. Now he helps our clients discover how recognition strengthens a company’s team-building, personal development and leadership skills. He defines great work as “consistent action around correct principles over time.” When Kevin isn’t traveling to train and speak, he kicks back with his family or blazes trails through the Rocky Mountains running and biking.
Ed Bagley
Following a professional journey that spanned the globe, Ed joined O.C. Tanner as our Director of Communications in 2006. A seasoned marketing, PR, advertising and sales executive, he has led projects across teams, departments, countries—even continents. Now, his intercontinental skills help O.C. Tanner (and our clients) celebrate and appreciate great work around the world. When he isn't "white-boarding" one of our latest projects, Ed searches for adventure in Utah's picturesque backcountry while skiing, hiking and camping.
Greg Boswell
Appreciation is in our roots, and it runs deep. Greg Boswell’s roots with O.C. Tanner run deep, too. For nearly two decades, his expertise in market research, consulting, training and sales have helped us grow. Now, as one of our managing directors in Chicago, a founding board member of Recognition Professionals International (RPI) and contributing author to "A Carrot a Day," Greg shows some of our largest clients why solid recognition programs are integral to a company’s organizational and people strategies. When he isn’t consulting and coaching our clients, he coaches youth sports in his community and plays tennis. Greg’s wife and five sons inspire him. He defines great work as “doing more than is expected.”
Mindi Cox
A firm believer in connecting people with purpose, Mindi Cox works to inspire great work in our company and clients. As our Vice President of People and Culture, she knows the importance of cultivating a culture where people are empowered to break through. With more than a decade working with us in marketing and sales roles, Mindi now helps lead our People and Great Work Team. She lives by a simple, succinct motto: “It’s good to do hard things.”
Randall Diamond
A recognition warrior for clients and prospects alike, Randall Diamond does O.C. Tanner proud as a trusted advisor and recognition specialist for organizations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. He consults with cutting-edge companies, guiding them as they build recognition programs into organizational development strategies. Randall understands world-class recognition practices, and knows how to use them to turn the wheels of great work. He’s inspired by National Public Radio, delivering work that creates value and lives by a simple motto: “Do what the person you want to be would do.”
Chris Drysdale
Chris Drysdale is the copywriting half of O.C. Tanner’s top-notch creative directing team. Prior to O.C. Tanner life, Chris was an award-winning writer/creative director at several ad agencies and spent six years as worldwide creative director for Intel. “I have the best job in the world,” he says, “helping others appreciate great work is a cool way to spend my non-family time.” He gets in touch with the muses by watching TED Talks, biking to work, skiing Alta and reading Go Dog Go.
Tamara Garner-Davies
As a member of our social media team, Tamara tells the great work stories of our employees and clients. She questions. She contemplates. She writes. Following a career in television news, advertising and public relations, Tamara joined the O.C. Tanner team. She is inspired by impressionist art, the Dave Matthews Band, and the words of Eunice Kenney Shriver: “Do it well, finish properly, and move on.”
Angie Haugen
As our social media veteran, Angie takes appreciating great work to the next level. She strategizes, writes, edits and collaborates—bringing new insights on how to value and celebrate people in any organization. Angie’s marketing experience runs deep, ranging from campaign strategy, to analytics, to market research. As the go-to person for many of our authors, Angie has helped both well-known and first-time writers achieve bestseller status. Inspired by out-of-the-box thinkers and anyone who can cook without a recipe, Angie has a personal quest for success.
David Hilton
An energetic, utility player, David Hilton has gone the distance at O.C. Tanner, producing great work in marketing, client services, and sales departments for 19 years. Now, as Vice President of Performance Development, he leads with speed, helping his teams create some of the best products and services in the recognition industry. Speed is even a part of the motto by which he lives, believing it’s important to “run fast and course-correct in real-time.”
Brian Katz
Brian Katz is our legal genius, serving as a vice president and General Counsel for O.C. Tanner for almost a decade. His great work keeps our company safe and at the top of its game. And, as the former Senior General Council to the Salt Lake Olympic Committee, he understands the importance and power of symbolic recognition.
Pamela Mason Davey
Pamela Mason Davey has red hair and lives in a purple house. She has written extensively for companies that do great work, among them, Starbucks, Frito-Lay, Nordstrom, Windstar and of course, O.C.Tanner. Before becoming the world's first telecommuter (a quaint term now), she worked in advertising agencies in Los Angeles and Seattle. "I love working with the folks at O.C.Tanner because they appreciate me, which makes me appreciate them, and then it's like living and working in an endless feedback love fest loop."
Heather McArthur
As our resident wordsmith, Heather writes stories about recognition’s ability to transform corporate cultures and lives. As our Managing Editor, she publishes quarterly Kudos profiles celebrating people who make a difference. Growing up and living abroad, Heather now resides in the U.S., after working and writing in publishing, organizational development and advertising. After interviewing so many leaders with a vision, she’s seen firsthand the inherent possibilities that occur when people are appreciated and recognized for their great work.
Gary Peterson
A longtime O.C. Tanner executive, Gary Peterson helps our company run like a well-oiled machine. He’s served us for 24 years, leading as Vice President of Award Development and Vice President of Research and Professional Services. He’s helped clients understand how to better drive employee engagement and improve retention, and now engages our employees as Executive Vice President of Supply Chain. His greatest joy at work comes from spending time with employees on the manufacturing floor. Gary recharges his batteries by playing basketball or snowboarding with his family.
Patrick Poyfair
A former journalist and editor, Pat knows the importance of communicating great work practices. He's continually looking for innovative ways to achieve the unexpected with creativity and passion. Pat helps leaders in Fortune 500 companies understand the benefits of recognition practices. When he’s not promoting the thought leadership from our New York Times bestselling books, Pat is a sports enthusiast who loves spending time with his family.
Michelle M. Smith, CPIM, CRP
A world-renowned speaker, writer, and consultant, Michelle is a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies and governments. A highly accomplished industry leader, she is a respected authority on leadership, internal branding, and engagement. As our Vice President of Business Development, she intuitively understands the importance of unlocking an employee’s hidden potential, and how to leverage performance development initiatives for a maximum return on investment. A recognition and engagement thought leader, Michelle has been named as one of the “Ten Best and Brightest Women in the Incentive Industry.” She is President Emeritus of the Incentive Marketing Association, past president of the FORUM for People Performance at Northwestern University, among other prestigious board positions past and present.
Beth Thornton
The right kind of appreciation can elevate corporate cultures, build morale, and boost the bottom line. No one knows that better than Beth Thornton, our Vice President of Sales and Business Development. A veteran Appreciateologist, Beth works with many of our Fortune 100 clients, helping them celebrate their people, drive business results, and improve employee engagement. And she knows that can only happen when recognition is done right. Her inspiration for her great work? Making a difference in people’s lives by helping them to truly feel good about the place they go to work every day.
Chris Vyse
Great work happens across teams, departments—even countries. No one knows that better than Chris Vyse, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing for O.C. Tanner Limited. He helps lead marketing, PR and sales efforts in Canada, showing companies the values and benefits of a solid recognition program. Chris has worked for O.C. Tanner since 2007, and holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario.
