Leading with Power - La Crosse

Doug Fearing is a devoted husband, proud father of two lovely daughters, grandfather, great grandfather, entrepreneur, community leader, church leader, youth mentor and board member of two non-profit organizations, of which he helped found. He is, also, a past State President of the Wisconsin Jaycees, better known today as Junior Chamber International (JCI). Over the years he has gained a profound appreciation for both the exhilaration of success and the heartbreak of setbacks.

Our news feeds are full of “overnight successes,” twenty-one-day fixes, diet pills, and sensational viral videos. We’ve feasted upon the false and fake for so long that we’re empty on the inside. As much as Facebook ads and Instagram influencers want to convince us otherwise, it is the basics that lead to an incredible life! These basics, done consistently, will transform your life and career. Are you ready to live a basically incredible life?

Sergeant Major (SGM) Micheal John Seefeld joined the Army January 24th, 1999, as a 13 Fox (Forward Observer).  He deployed five times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Special Operations Joint Task Force Afghanistan and was latest deployed to Central America as a part of Operation Alamo Shield.  His assignments consist of:  (CURRENT) Virginia Army National Guard as the 29th Infantry Division Fire Support Coordinator Sergeant Major, Brigade Command Sergeant Major 54th Security Forces Assistance (INARNG), 10 years as the Field Artillery Subject Matter Expert Cell for the Army National Guard (NCOIC), Command Sergeant Major 4th BN 54th SFAB (TXARNG), Command Sergeant Major of 1st Battalion 121st Field Artillery Regiment (WIARNG), Combined Joint J3 Sergeant Major NSOCC-A/SOJTF-A and Combined Situation Awareness Room “Independent" Strike cell SGM (WAARNG), Command Sergeant Major of 1st Battalion 120th Field Artillery (WIARNG), HHB 1-120th FA First Sergeant, B BTRY 1-120th FA First Sergeant, B BTRY 1-120th FA Platoon & Gunnery Sergeant, B BTRY 1-161st FA Squad Leader (KSARNG), 1-125th (Strike) FA Squad Leader (MNARNG), C BTRY 1-120th FA Howitzer Section Chief, A BTRY 1-120th FA 13F Forward Observer and 13B Gunner.  SGM Seefeld's 25+ years of military training includes both 13F (Forward Observer) and 13B (Cannon Crew Member), United States Army Sergeant Major Academy (Class 42), Field Artillery Pre-Command Course, Security Forces Assistance Command Pre-Command Course,  Special Operation Forces Situational Awareness Training Course, Joint Fire-Power Course, Reserve Components National Security Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, FCoE Collateral Damage Estimate Course, FCoE Weaponeering Course, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Course, Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course, Individual Training Management Course, Combatives Level 1 Course, Master Resiliency Course, Foreign Disclosure Representative Course, Operations Security Officer Certification Level 2, the Equal Opportunity Leader Course, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Anti-terrorism level 2, and the U.S. Army Small-Arms Master Gunner Course.    SGM Seefeld's military awards and achievements include: Bronze Star with Valor (1), Bronze Star Medal (3), Defense Meritorious Service Medal,  Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (8), Joint Service Achievement Medal (1), Army Achievement Medal (6), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NATO Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (3 stars), Armed Reserved Components Achievement Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (5), Wisconsin Emergency Service Ribbon (5), Wisconsin Service Ribbon (3), Wisconsin Write Ribbon (22), Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Service Medal (4), Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Physical Fitness Excellence Badge, Master Blaster 13F AIT, the Army Combat Action Badge, Honorary Order of Saint Barbara Award, and Ancient Order of Saint Barbara Awards.  He was a member of numerous Top Gun Howitzer Section teams, was the 2007 CSC Scania Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, and was awarded the Safety Award for Merit from the 34th Infantry Division Commander in 2007.    SGM Seefeld resides in Portage, WI where he is a consultant for small businesses and the Owner of Hydro Heroes LLC a professional power washing service.  He enjoys coaching youth sports (Football and Wrestling), hunting, fishing, spending time with his family and most of all takes great pride in his volunteer work with helping others in need.  He is a very proud member of VFW Post 6003 in Oxford, WI, where he serves as the post Service Officer.  In his free time, he likes to hit the open road on his Harley Davidson Motorcycle.   

In 1973 Bob Bardwell was involved in a heavy construction accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Bob’s accomplishments since then have left us all with an example of what perseverance, faith, determination, and an ‘attitude of gratitude’ life style can achieve.Following his accident, the phrase, “If God’s in your dream, no request is too extreme” became Bob’s encouragement to start a youth camp and get involved in wheelchair sports. This led him to start the Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch and the National Wheelchair Sports Camp.He is a national motivational speaker author, and coach. Bob and his wife, Jode, have 4 grown daughters, 3 son-in-laws, and 6 grandkids.Learn more about Bob at: https://bobbardwell.squarespace.com/

Jerry started Breakthrough Strategies to follow his passion of helping individuals and teams reach their full potential through his involvement in business advising, entrepreneurial endeavors, and giving back to the community. He does this by telling the story of how he grew his company, EMTEQ, from a basement start-up to an international 100M business, and what lessons he learned along that journey. During his time there, he encountered many trials and tribulations which lead to the successful creation and formulation of the Single-Page Plan as well as the inspiration for his book, Get Unstuck. Get Unstuck tells his story while giving small businesses teams insight and tips about how to get unstuck from any situation they are in.Today, Jerry is the chairman and major investor in Vendura Industries, a solid surface medical manufacturer, Biocut Systems, an automation company in the bioprocessing industry, and Ardent Animal Health, which provides and develops animal health regenerative medicine products and services. Aside from investing and advising his companies, Jerry helps other entrepreneurs breakthrough and grow their businesses. He is the co-chair of Scale Up Milwaukee, as an advisory member for the UWM Lubar Center for Entrepreneurship’s Entrepreneurship in Residence Program, and has been a judge for the Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” for 3 consecutive years. Jerry is also lead mogul on Milwaukee’s own TV program, Project Pitch It. Outside of the office, Jerry partners with organizations that promote the well being and mental health of others. He is honored to partner with Make-A-Wish Wisconsin and is a foundation board member and co-chair for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s Mental and Behavioral Health group with his wife, Becky. Becky and Jerry have 5 children and reside in Waterford, Wisconsin. Jerry graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance.

As a young person Frank always struggled with “authority,” and wanted to know WHY he needed to do what he was told to do, especially when it came to organized religion. That changed when someone at a Bible study gave him a copy of Josh McDowell’s book, “Evidence That Demands A Verdict.” The fact that someone was able to systematically and logically validate the truth claims of the Bible is one of the things that led him to place his faith in Jesus Christ. Frank’s goal is to be able to reach the skeptics like his previous self by being able to share with them that God is a God of design, order and logic. He enjoys having conversations with people about things that are true. Sharing God’s truths in a proper and understandable way is one of his greatest joys.When Frank is not fulfilling his duties as a pastor, or guest speaker, he and his wife love to travel. He also loves shooting sports and especially enjoys bow hunting. His love for archery even led he and his wife to start a ministry to share the gospel along with the skills of archery to the youth of Hawaii entitled, Centershot Hawaii. Frank has a Science Education degree from the University of Hawaii, but his greatest credential is experience and time spent in the ministry.

Gavin Jerome, the Morale Mechanic has been professional entertainer for over thirty years. He has worked with the likes of Steve Martin, Martin Short, Steve Harvey and many other famous comedians not named Martin or Steve. For the past two decades, Gavin has been presenting his humor workshops to companies and associations worldwide including 3M, IBM, Facebook, Principal, and more. Gavin Jerome makes his home in the heartland of Ankeny, Iowa, with his wife of 35 years, Sandi, and Gibbs the wonder pug. Prairie Ridge Church in Ankeny has been his church home for over two decades and currently plays keyboards in their worship team. He has never had a day job, and he has never sold Amway.

Brandon is a faithful husband, loving father of 3 kiddos, entrepreneur, coach, and speaker. He is the owner of Well Built Humans, a fitness, nutrition, and mentoring business, as well as an outdoor apparel company called Flanouflage. He is an avid outdoorsman who loves to bow hunt and fish for just about anything.

Don Weber is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and exemplary supporter of our military—but he is proudest to be known simply as a Wisconsin farm boy and Marine. Weber’s goal has always been threefold: to create local jobs, support Service members and strengthen our communities.Weber is the founder of Logistics Health Incorporated (LHI), a La Crosse, Wisconsin-based health care innovator that has now grown to more than 2000 employees and is the most trusted health care provider to the United States Department of Defense. Weber was also founder of Freedom Fest, a fundraiser which throughout its duration raised more than half a million dollars for Veterans’ causes. Weber continues to maintain an endowment fund which began in tandem with Freedom Fest, providing college scholarships to Veterans.Over the past two decades Weber has founded a number of additional businesses that have helped grow the economic base in Wisconsin as a whole, including Riverside Corporate Wellness, an innovative wellness company that provides convenient, virtual care to our Veterans.Weber is a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War combat Veteran. For his distinguished military service he has received many awards, among them the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars.

Brent A. Hafele, M.A., ACC has led in the number one or number two leadership role in multiple businesses, nonprofits, and ministries on the local, national, and international level. As a consultant and coach, he walked with hundreds of CEOs and other senior leaders all over North America. He knows the joy and the stress, the excitement and the loneliness, the blessing and the curse of leading organizations having both witnessed it and lived it.Today, Brent is President and Executive Coach at Vibrancy Unlocked where he coaches executive leaders and their teams. His clients have included the Pittsburgh Zoo, the City of Woodbury, Minnesota, Altus Marketing, and the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire. Brent is an International Coaching Federation certified coach and Gallup-Certified Clifton Strengths Coach. He lives in Eau Claire, WI, with his wife Jennifer, sons Evan and Micah, and daughter Rachel. His best friends are Paul, Shawn, and Kenny. Learn more about Brent and the coaching he provides executive leaders at VibrancyUnlocked.com. 

Thomas ThibodeauProfessor of Servant Leadership at Viterbo UniversityTom is the distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership at Viterbo University where he has taught since 1984. He is founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the only Master’s degree of its kind in the nation. Tom is a popular professor, talented public speaker, and active community member who lives by what he calls the 11th commandment – thou shalt not stand idly by! Tom is a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, active community member and part owner of a country tavern.

BEN PETERSONBen Peterson is a Jesus Follower, husband, father, and combat veteran. He believes with everything in his soul that nothing is impossible for those who have faith.Ben served in Iraq during the surge in 2008-2009. He lost 7 of his brothers in combat, experienced the fallout of suicide bombers at a local school, daily mortar attacks, and held the position of a Chaplains Assistant to perform the duties of a personal security detail to the Chaplain.In 2016, Ben founded Engage Your Destiny a nonprofit ministry that exists to engage with military, veterans and their families to lead them into their destiny. EYD creates events that engage with our heroes where they’re at and then leads them into programs which will resource them mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Out of this work in 2020, during the height of Covid, Ben birthed the Heroes Honor Festival which took place at the Daytona International Speedway with Toby Keith, Justin Moore, Craig Morgan, Ron DeSantis, Oliver North and hosted over 35,000 attendees. Through the event 1,200 veterans were led into healing programs to resource and restore them.Ben has secured sponsorships and partnerships with brands to include Toyota, Humana, Harley-Davidson, Fox Nation, Polaris, MN Vikings, Sleep Number and Children’s Hospitals.Ben has led over 6,000 soldiers to Jesus and is currently training soldiers in the 101st Airborne who are deploying all over the world every week. Ben resides in Spring Hill Tennessee with his stunning wife Rachel, warrior son Benaiah and white lab Bear.