Damon West

M.S. Criminal Justice

Sentenced to sixty-five years in a Texas prison, Damon West once had it all.

Damon West, M.S. Criminal Justice, is a college professor, internationally known keynote speaker and 3x Wall Street Journal bestselling author. His bestselling business book, The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change, was listed by Forbes’ in the “Top Twenty Books You Need to Read to Crush 2020.”

His autobiography, The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World, vividly tells how he transformed the pot of boiling water that is a Texas maximum-security prison into a pot of coffee.

At 20 years old, he was a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, when he suffered a career ending injury. He turned to hardcore drugs to cope with disappointments of life. After graduation, he worked in the United States Congress, was a national fundraiser on a U.S. Presidential campaign and eventually trained to be a stockbroker for United Bank of Switzerland (UBS). One day at UBS, he was introduced to methamphetamines; he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit.

After a fateful discussion during his incarceration with a seasoned convict, Damon had a spiritual awakening. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the environment around him. Armed with a program of recovery, a renewed faith, and a miraculous second chance at life, Damon emerged from over seven years of prison a changed man. His story of redemption, grit and determination continues to inspire audiences today.

The Coffee Bean message has inspired thousands. Damon’s clients include hundreds of companies, such as Walmart, State Farm, Wendy’s, Stryker, and sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Timberwolves, Clemson, Alabama and Georgia. The U.S. Army has even incorporated the #BeACoffeeBean mindset into their resilience training. Damon’s story has been featured both nationally and globally.

He is passionate about the Coffee Bean message and loves sharing how it changed his life and how it can change yours, too.

His Wall Street Journal bestselling book, The Locker Room: How Great Teams Heal Hurt, Overcome Adversity and Build Unity, is being optioned for film adaptation.

His children’s book, The Coffee Bean for Kids, is the genesis for Coffee Bean Clubs being started by students at schools all over America.

Today, Damon lives a life of recovery and service, sharing his story all over the world. Of all the hats Damon wears, however, the two most important to him are being a husband to Kendell and a stepfather to Clara.

James Spellos

President, Meeting U.

James Spellos is the President of Meeting U. whose mission for over 20 years is to help people become more productive and comfortable with technology.

He was a faculty member at New York University for 25 years receiving both their Award for Teaching Excellence and their Outstanding Service Award. In 2015, Jim was named one of the Meeting Industry’s trendsetters by Meetings Today magazine.

Jim is on the Board of Directors for Rock and Wrap It Up, an anti-poverty, anti-hunger organization which recovers excess food from concerts, sports and other events. Jim co-created their Whole Earth Calculator app. He also speaks about food recovery and sustainability to groups around the country. In 2018 & 2019, BizBash named Jim one of their top 500 people in events for his work in sustainability.

Rosalynn Verges

AI Integrator

Rosalynn is the co-founder of Refinehry, the strategic partner helping ambitious roofing business owners build self-running teams so they can reclaim their freedom.

Rosalynn is also founder of an AI Automation Agency: AI Roofing Revolution (AIRR) where she uses her expertise to revolutionize the roofing industry through AI automation.

As a specialized business coach for the roofing industry, Rosalynn tackles the people challenges that keep owners trapped in day-to-day operations. With 15+ years as a certified HR Professional and masters-level training in leadership development, she transforms how roofing companies recruit, develop, and retain talent.

Serving as a fractional CEO/COO, Rosalynn builds the systems and teams that allow owners to step away from constant firefighting—creating space for what matters, whether that's growing the business, hitting the gym, or quality time with family.

A featured speaker at GAF and industry events, she combines roofing-specific expertise with proven strategies that have worked for businesses from Fortune 500s to family operations.

When she's not helping roofing entrepreneurs build self-running teams, you'll find Rosalynn outdoors with her family—practicing the same work-life balance she helps her clients achieve.

Lynne Jensen-Nelson

Founder, Conversion-omics Speakers & Consultants

Nationally recognized business leader and highly sought-after keynote speaker, Lynne Jensen-Nelson is an engaging, results-driven business strategist with extensive experience in the construction and design industries. She has a record of establishing the vision and strategies necessary to grow an organization while successfully adapting to changing market conditions. The power-packed combination of her success in executive leadership, profitable business ownership, and high value sales shaped her perspective and created a true competitive advantage. This front row seat to what works and what doesn’t work allows Lynne to successfully guide others to reach peak performance.

Lynne founded Conversion-omics Speakers & Consultants to help organizations refine their sales approach, define their ability to differentiate, and enhance their buying experience. She brings the INFORMATION, MOTIVATION, and INSPIRATION you need to take your business to the next level. Learn more at www.conversion-omics.com.

Ron Ciotti

Ron’s practice is focused on all aspects of the construction industry. He has substantial experience representing general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, prefabricators, modular builders, suppliers, and owners/developers in construction-related matters, including all aspects of construction law, contractual disputes, lien work, bond claims, construction and design defect claims, bid disputes in litigation and dispute resolution. Ron has litigated cases/issues before all levels of courts in numerous jurisdictions throughout the country, arbitrated disputes nationally, and advocated on behalf of clients using various forms of dispute resolution. He also has broad experience in construction transactional work, drafting and negotiating contract documents for all types of project delivery including, integrated project delivery and other highly collaborative delivery methods, design-bid-build, design build, CM-at-Risk, and other more traditional methods for both public and private projects. Ron was also the Chair of the ConsensusDocs committee that drafted and published the first-in-the-nation General Contractor/Prefabricator contract form. Ron routinely counsels his clients on all business aspects of planning, initiating, and completing construction related projects.

Paij Thorn-Brooks

Vice President of Marketing, Daltile

Bio forthcoming...

Scot Davis

Vice President of Customer Fulfillment, Shaw Industries

Scot Davis serves as Vice President of Customer Fulfillment at Shaw Industries, bringing more than 35 years of experience across the textile, chemical, and flooring industries. In this role, he leads the integration of Shaw’s supply chain operations across all three business units, ensuring seamless delivery and an exceptional customer experience.

Throughout his career, Scot has held leadership roles spanning manufacturing operations, research and development, design, technical sales, and supply chain operations. He currently oversees a team of nearly 4,000 supply chain professionals across the United States, driving performance, efficiency, and customer satisfaction through collaboration and operational excellence.

A devoted family man, Scot and his wife of 34 years, Lisa, take pride in their daughter Sydney, who is building her own career in supply chain leadership.

Kevin A. O'Meara

Executive Vice President, Supply Chain and Enterprise Strategy, Shaw Industries

​Kevin O'Meara serves as the Executive Vice President of Supply Chain and Enterprise Strategy, reporting to the President & CEO of Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. In addition to transforming the supply chain, Kevin is responsible for assessing the company's end-to-end business, developing the ongoing business strategy, and spearheading plans to grow the business. Kevin is also the executive sponsor of SHAWVET, an associate resource group for veterans at Shaw.

Before joining Shaw, Kevin was the Senior Vice President of Operations for Interline Brands, a private equity owned MRO distributor. In 2015 the team sold the company to The Home Depot, Inc. Earlier in his career, Kevin served in various leadership positions in supply chain and operations for Whirlpool Corporation and Schneider Logistics.

Kevin started his career as an officer in the United States Army where he served for 9.5 years. In the U.S. Army, Kevin held various levels of leadership roles in both the Armor and the Quartermaster Corps. Kevin was an armor platoon leader in the 4th ID and he served as an aide de camp for the commanding general of the 800th MMC, VII Corps, Stuttgart, Germany. Kevin also commanded a supply and logistics company for the 3rd Infantry Division in Schweinfurt, Germany, and was the Operations Officer for the Port of Rotterdam during Desert Storm.

Kevin graduated from Cornell University, received his MBA from The University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and graduated from the General Management Program at Harvard Business School. Kevin has served on the Board of Directors for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and served on the board of Lanehub, a transportation technology company which was sold to Transplace. Kevin was named a Global Supply Chain Institute Fellow at the University of Tennessee for distinguished service to the field of Supply Chain Management in January of 2023.

James Spellos

President, Meeting U.

James Spellos is the President of Meeting U. whose mission for over 20 years is to help people become more productive and comfortable with technology.

He was a faculty member at New York University for 25 years receiving both their Award for Teaching Excellence and their Outstanding Service Award. In 2015, Jim was named one of the Meeting Industry’s trendsetters by Meetings Today magazine.

Jim is on the Board of Directors for Rock and Wrap It Up, an anti-poverty, anti-hunger organization which recovers excess food from concerts, sports and other events. Jim co-created their Whole Earth Calculator app. He also speaks about food recovery and sustainability to groups around the country. In 2018 & 2019, BizBash named Jim one of their top 500 people in events for his work in sustainability.

Bailey Wood

Director of Marketing, Click Rain

Bailey combines creative and strategic thinking in her role at Click Rain, leading efforts that support clients at a high level through market research and development. With an MBA and a spot on Sioux Falls Business 30 Under 30 list, Bailey brings incredible experience and deep knowledge of online marketing that help her deliver high-impact results. Her attention to detail and keen understanding of analytics help her excel online, particularly through search marketing.

Dr. Jermaine Davis

For more than two decades, Dr. Jermaine M. Davis has inspired thousands of leaders, educators, and professionals to lead with authenticity, courage, and connection. Through powerful keynotes, engaging workshops, and his signature edutainment style, Dr. Jermaine blends humor, storytelling, and science-backed strategies that transform how teams work—and how leaders show up. He is the author of 10+ books on personal and professional growth and an award-winning professor of communication and leadership.

John Palumbo

Co-founder, PHG

John A. Palumbo is an international speaker, author, and expert in the science of influence and persuasion. He has been invited to lecture around the world, including Ukraine, Mexico, Poland, Canada, and Jamaica, on the psychology of human nature, John is a member of the National Speakers Association® and brings humor and animation to the platform to help others exceed their performance goals. He was recently awarded the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP™) designation, the highest designation conferred by the National Speakers Association®. He is also recipient of the National Sales and Marketing Council’s prestigious John P. Hall Award for Excellence in Sales and Marketing.

John has been instrumental in restructuring the Sales DNA of thousands of individuals from small, family run companies to large-scale developers such as Trump Grande International. He has the ability to take sales professionals and organizations to new dimensions of performance excellence. Known as the industry’s Closing Master, John has more than three decades of experience and has personally closed over one billion dollars in real estate sales.

John is recipient of The National Association of Home Builders’ Sales Manager of the Year Award and the prestigious Million Dollar Circle Lifetime Award. He is a prominent member of the Institute of Residential Marketing and has been an instructor for the institute for more than 20 years.

John is invited repeatedly as a guest speaker at conferences and national conventions, including The International Builders’ Show, Southeast Building Conference, and the Midwest Builders’ Conference, just to name a few. His programs and sessions continuously receive rave reviews for being cutting-edge, entertaining, and most importantly, for delivering results.

John has been published and interviewed by numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal. He is author of nine books on the psychology of influence and persuasion, including his best-seller, SalesNosis: The Art of Hypnotic Persuasion.

Melanie Towey

Whether it be in business or in life, Melanie Towey believes in fixing the root cause at the deepest level – not treating the symptoms.

As a trusted leader and consulting resource within the building materials, architecture & design, and construction space, Melanie helps industry professionals grow in themselves and in their careers, as well as strategically helps entrepreneurs and business leaders at a deeper level overcome foundational challenges hindering them from results.

Not following a traditional path, Melanie built her career within the construction and luxury building materials industry where her enjoyment came from working with entrepreneurial and family-owned businesses looking for quantum leap growth. She worked in a variety of capacities, from managing national sales teams for America’s largest privately-held designer and marketer of tile and stone, to Director of Marketing Operations where she led business efforts and managed the construction, design, and operations of showroom spaces nationwide for a leading producer of quartz surfaces. It was in these years that she developed a burning passion for leadership and helping businesses and teams create their path forward.

As a Professional EOS® Implementer and Business Coach, Melanie acts as a teacher, coach, and facilitator — helping business leaders transform their companies and, ultimately, their lives. She helps implement a complete, proven system with simple, practical tools to help business leaders achieve three things: vision, traction and health. When you align and synchronize all the moving parts of your business you create clarity, accountability, efficiency, and profitability.

Industry focus: Building Materials | Residential & Commercial Construction | Interior Design | Architecture | Real Estate Development | Kitchen & Bath