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 Bagley 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.
jeff birk
Motivate. Train. Educate. Empower. Jeff Birk, Manager of Speaking and Training, has a knack for it all. He’s made a career of it for the last 25 years, working as a trainer, speaker and trade show presenter and corporate emcee for the likes of Iomega, Novell and 3COM. He’s a lean, mean training machine, blending his sales experience with business acumen to engage and inspire our clients to deliver great work. The music of John Williams, Led Zeppelin and Rachmaninoff inspires him and he shares this personal credo: “Talk only of happiness, progress and prosperity.” Jeff lives in the Salt Lake area with his wife and daughter.
joel bishop
Training leaders in the art and science of appreciation is Joel Bishop's specialty. For nearly two decades, he’s traveled the globe as a presenter and trainer. Now, as our Manager of Speaking and Training, Joel builds up frequent flier miles as he shows our clients how to elevate cultures, improve employee engagement and create breakthrough teams. His experience as a former comedy improv performer and actor also comes in handy when he makes a presentation. Joel finds inspiration through reading, films and his family.
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.”
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.
angie haugen
As our social media veteran, Angie Haugen 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.
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 McArthur 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.
todd nordstrom
A renowned blogger, Todd R. Nordstrom is passionate about connecting the dots between people and performance. He is a globally recognized bestselling author, researcher, social marketer, and speaker. Todd has helped lead the marketing and promotion strategies of nearly thirty bestselling titles. He believes that there is something more valuable than achieving success—achieving relevance. He’s inspired by the thought that people who get out of bed each morning and believe they can impact the world, do. Todd lives in Scottsdale, AZ with his wife and three children.
dave petersen
It all began with an interesting agreement nearly 30 years ago. Our Chief Appreciateologist came to O.C. Tanner and boldly told leaders he wanted to work for three months”¦without pay. If they weren’t happy with his work, he’d pack up and leave. Now, Dave’s the CEO of the world’s top employee appreciation company. He knows firsthand how recognition can transform employees and cultures, ultimately leading to great work. He’s created plenty of it for us over the years in our Marketing, IT, Sales, Manufacturing, Operations, and Client Services departments. His keen sense of leadership and global business experience make the difference for many of our Fortune 500 clients. Known for a trademark wit and mean golf swing, Dave’s greatest joy in life comes from spending time with family.
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.
christina pope
As a former journalist, Christina Pope has a unique perspective on great work. She knows the importance of positive corporate cultures—witnessing how it impacts individuals, a company’s bottom line and everything in between. Christina values working for a company where great work is appreciated, and is passionate about helping other organizations do the same. She believes that everyone has greatness within and pushes herself to the limits, finding inspiration in the words of Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
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 Executive Vice President of Sales. 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.
carina wytiaz
Carina Wytiaz is a professional writer and Internet marketer, with experience drawn from her time at FranklinCovey, Borders, ah-ha.com, Marchex.com, OrangeSoda.com, and several traditional marketing and advertising agencies. She loves helping employees feel more included and valued through exuberant appreciation experiences, and helping companies realize the incredible potential of their human capital.
