Our Beliefs and Mission
Welcome to Chief Executive Network where we believe in the power of peer networks to help smart leaders grow and succeed. Our mission is to empower our members and their teams to achieve their goals through continuous learning and improvement. We provide a unique platform for CEOs and senior business leaders to accelerate growth, improve profitability, and avoid mistakes by sharing benchmarks, best practices, lessons learned, advice, and insights.
We believe in the power of free markets. We recognize that free-market capitalism has been the driving force behind creating jobs and prosperity and ensuring democratic freedoms. We feel honored to serve the leaders and stewards of these free-market enterprises. By helping CEOs and business leaders take their companies to the next level, we help improve the lives of billions of customers and create jobs and opportunities for millions of employees.
Our Story
Our journey began in the 1980s when organizational expert Dr. Ronald E. Wiley realized executive effectiveness was dramatically improved when CEOs met with industry peers. Dr. Wiley recognized that industry focus gave CEOs not only outside perspective, but also specific, actionable ideas based on directly relevant, real-world experience. In 1990, CEN was launched on this principle.
Since then, Bob Grabill, then a member, took over the reins in 1994, grew the network substantially, and introduced the Senior Executive Network for the direct reports of members. Fast forward to 2012, Chief Executive Network became part of the Chief Executive Group, the leading provider of information and insights to America’s CEOs, senior executives, and board members.
We joined forces with Chief Executive Boards International in 2023 to expand our offerings to include well established, tight-knit local peer networks. Founded by experienced CEO and business coach Kevin Minton brings a wealth of expertise in guiding companies from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies across diverse industries and locations.
Chairman, Chief Executive Group
CEO, Chief Executive Network
Wayne is an experienced CEO and entrepreneur. Before his involvement with the Chief Executive Group, he was the Chairman and CEO of Kennedy Information. He and his team have also transformed the Institute of Finance and Management, Pyramid Research and Media Publishing International. He was also the co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Vizeum, a web-marketing services company. Wayne has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Stanford University. He lives in Greenwich, CT, with his wife, Lisa, and has three grown children.
CEO, Chief Executive Group
Marshall is CEO of Chief Executive Group. He has been successfully turning around and building companies for more than 30 years. Marshall previously worked for KKR’s media roll-up (Primedia) and The New York Times Co. and served as a White House aide from 1989-1991. Marshall earned a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College.
President, Chief Executive Network
Rob is responsible for supporting the existing CEN member base and growing the Network with high-caliber, high-achievement new members. In addition to helping set the organization’s direction, Rob is skilled in sales management, meeting facilitation, contract negotiations, public speaking, social media, and executive memory skills. Rob has held positions of increasing responsibility with CEN. He began in 2003 as Meeting Manager, was promoted to Director of Sales & Marketing (2004) and then to Director of Sales & Operations (2007). He became VP of Operations in 2009, COO in 2012, and was promoted again in 2015 to his current position. Rob has a degree in Economics from Southern Methodist University and lives in Kansas City, MO.
Managing Director, Chief Executive Network
Kevin is the Managing Director of The Chief Executive Network and President of its Chief Executive Boards International (CEBI) division. He is responsible for supporting our members and ensuring their success. Kevin is a graduate of The Citadel. Upon completing college, Kevin began his career with the Fluor Corporation. Throughout his 20+ year career, he excelled in becoming vice president with assignments in multiple countries, where he navigated existing and start-up operations through challenges, downturns, scale-ups, and success. Following his heart, Kevin ventured toward helping private business owners and leaders succeed in business and with an enhanced quality of life. An ensuing purchase of Chief Executive Boards International in 2013 facilitated this calling. Kevin re-energized a legacy organization to provide an elite business leader peer advisory growth and development experience. Kevin is an accomplished speaker and author whose latest book entitled “In Search of Balance – The Business Owner’s Guide to Building a Business and a Life” has guided many entrepreneurs with the techniques used by business pros.
Executive Director, Chief Executive Network
Chuck is responsible for new member development and member satisfaction. Prior to joining CEG, Chuck was a member of the Chief Executive Network for 5 years, as founder and President of recruiting firm NewHire. Chuck holds a BA in American Literature and Religion from the George Washington University and an MA from the University of Chicago Divinity School.
Director of Operations, Chief Executive Network
JoEllen is an expert in meeting planning and membership operations. She began her career as a Project Coordinator with CEN before being promoted to Meeting and Conference Manager. In 2022, she was again promoted to Director of Operations and Member Services. JoEllen has a BA from the University of Kansas. She holds the CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) designation from the Events Industry Council.
Marketing Director, Chief Executive Network
Season is responsible for creating and implementing ongoing membership marketing activities, including mail, email, social media outreach, website content, and promotional materials. Season is a senior marketing executive with 10+ years of experience developing B2B multi-channel campaign strategies that build brand awareness, generate leads, and engage customers. She has bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology from Washington & Jefferson College, a master’s degree in publishing from George Washington University with an emphasis on business and technology, and certifications in product marketing management and social media and email marketing.
Sales Associate, Chief Executive Network
Brittany is responsible for sales and marketing initiatives to grow the network. She is also responsible for member support, engagement, and retention. Brittany has a background in sales and marketing with 15+ years of experience in account & project management, sales analytics, client communications, and strategic planning. Brittany has a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and Spanish from the University of North Texas.
Director of Member Services, Chief Executive Network
Bio coming soon
Membership Coordinator, Chief Executive Network
Reagan manages our local peer network meetings and member communications. With over five years of experience in meeting planning, membership relations, and lead development, she is dedicated to building strong relationships and tailoring each member’s experience to their needs. Reagan holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and an MBA from Louisiana State University.
Editor-In-Chief & Chief Content Officer, Chief Executive Group
Dan is editor-in-chief of Chief Executive and Corporate Board Member magazines and oversees content development across all CEG platforms. Prior to joining CEG in 2017, he was managing editor of Forbes and the first Business Editor of NYTimes.com, where he co-founded the popular NYT Dealbook franchise in 2001. He has a BFA from Emerson College, Boston.
VP of Events, Chief Executive Group
Jamie leads all events under Chief Executive Group’s full suite of channels. Additionally, as publisher of Corporate Board Member, she is in charge of the portfolio of media, content distribution and event platforms serving the board member community. Previously, Jamie was a managing director at Equilar overseeing the company’s strategic partnerships and events, and served as senior vice president of events for the NYSE’s Governance Services division. Jamie received her BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.
Human Resources Director, Chief Executive Group
Patricia leads HR strategy and execution at Chief Executive Group, including employee rewards, organizational development, and talent acquisition. She held similar roles in the professional services sector before joining CEG in 2021. Patricia received her BA from Drew University.
Director of Digital Products, Chief Executive Group
Leigh oversees Chief Executive Group’s innovation efforts and leads web development, UX/UI design, e-commerce and digital product launch initiatives. She also drives digital transformation and new technology adoption to enable the business to scale. Leigh began her career at Corporate Board Member in 2011 prior to acquisition by Chief Executive Group. Leigh received her BA in Marketing from the University of Tennessee.
Senior Marketing Manager, Chief Executive Group
Simone oversees Chief Executive Group’s audience development and marketing efforts across all c-suite and public company board member channels. She held similar marketing roles before joining CEG in 2017. Simone received her BA in Media Studies and Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Jeff Evans
Former CEO, Will-Burt
“Advice from my CEN group led to a successful acquisition in Germany… our international sales grew from 5% to more than 50% in just 6 years.”
David Cox
CEO, The Bradbury Group
“There is nothing you face in your business that someone in the room hasn’t faced. Our company has tripled in size since I’ve become a member. I’ve never come back from a meeting without an actionable item.”
Rick McClain
President and Chief Operating Officer, Milwaukee Electronics
“A session that drove a more aggressive pricing strategy… impacted our profits by well over $100,000.”
Anthony Garcia
General Manager, ESPEC North America
“My group’s input on our ERP challenge saved us over three months so far and $50,000 in expenses.”
Todd Kilgus
President, Centracore
“My membership has helped me achieve year-over-year growth of more than 20%, a 15%+ increase in inventory turns… and a strong bench of ‘A’ players.”
Terry Lutz
Chairman & Former CEO, McClure Engineering Co
“I went to my first CEN meeting and walked out on fire. We now have 270 employees, soon to be 300, and I’m having more fun than ever. I attribute CEN for most of that.”
Andrew Warrington
President, United Conveyor Corporation
“In 15+ years with CEN… the network’s candid feedback and insights have profoundly impacted my companies and executive growth, generating millions of dollars.”
Bob Merrill
Former President & CEO, CraftMaster Manufacturing
“In one year, I have come to rely on CEN as an integral part of my management decision-making process. I can discuss issues in my business here that I cannot discuss anywhere else.”
Kyle Smith
Ph.D., Co-CEO, Reell Precision Manufacturing
“I’ve been a strong advocate for CEN. It’s been a very valuable tool to keep me fresh and invigorated as I “rub shoulders” with great leaders.”
Paul VanDuyne
PE, President & CEO, IMEG
“Being part of CEN’s peer group opens my eyes to other approaches and considerations toward overcoming business challenges that I otherwise would struggle with as an individual.”
