After graduating from Penn State University in 1994, I completed my MBA at Temple University and worked my way up from a temporary employee to Vice President of Sales for MAAX, Inc. ultimately overseeing a $100 million revenue budget and national sales teams with major retailers. I then shifted my career focus to community-based social enterprises and economic development, driven by a strong desire to create innovative public-private partnerships.
I became the founding Executive Director of HopeCAT in Sharon, PA, a non-profit school based on the Strickland Global Leadership Institute’s (SGLI) educational model. Together with my board of directors, we raised over $15 million to build and launch HopeCAT which serves underserved populations through a unique combination of arts and adult job training to drive generational community change. I continue to consult with both HopeCAT and SGLI as this educational model expands throughout the world.
Upon leaving HopeCAT, I began working with entrepreneurs through the Invent Penn State initiative bringing the Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community to life to serve local entrepreneurs. We collaborated with diverse partners to create a $4 million endowment by leveraging his network in the educational, public, and private sectors.
In 2023, I founded Rhys and Associates LLC, a management consulting firm. I live in Hermitage, PA, with my wife Ryen. I enjoy facilitating as an Everything DiSC® certified practitioner, and helping transform corporate culture through communication workshops.
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