References

EUGENE DEPASQUALE

Eugenio Anthony DePasquale is an American Democratic politician who served as the Pennsylvania Auditor General from 2013 to 2021. From 2007 to 2013, he served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the York County-based 95th district. He was the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district in the 2020 election.

RON PACKARD

Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Pansophic Learning

Ron is the founder of the Virtual Preparatory Academy of Pennsylvania (Charter School)

Ron Packard is the CEO and Founder of Pansophic Learning, a global technology-based education company. Packard is a well-known educator, entrepreneur and visionary as well as the author of the highly regarded and reviewed book Education Transformation. Packard was previously the long-time CEO and Founder of K12 Inc. He oversaw the growth of K12 from just an idea to almost one billion in revenue, making it one of the largest education companies in the world. During his tenure, revenue compounded at near 80%. Before K12, Packard was the Vice President of Knowledge Universe and CEO of Knowledge Schools, one of the nation’s largest early childhood education companies. He was also instrumental in the successful investments in Learn Now, Children's School USA, Leapfrog, TEC, and Children's Discovery Center. Packard also worked for McKinsey & Company and for Goldman Sachs in mergers and acquisitions. Packard has received the Education Industry Association's James P. Boyle Entrepreneurial Leadership Award, as well as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the IT Services & Solutions category in Greater Washington. The University of Chicago's Booth School of Business named him a Distinguished Alumni, and he also received an Outstanding Leadership Award from the United States Distance Learning Association. He sits on the Digital Learning Council. Packard previously served on the Department of Defense's Education Advisory Committee. Packard has been featured on nationwide radio and television shows and magazines, including Bloomberg TV, Forbes, and the Washington Post to name a few. He holds a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, both with honors.

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Building or rebuilding companies is a NOW proposition.

Quickly saw illogical and inefficient procedures and policies, developed and implemented comprehensive systems which solved our organizational and financial problems.

~ CEO - family run business sold in less than six months during COVID

You were our best, last chance to succeed. And, we’re still here.

~ President, Financial Services

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“He sees things others do not”

$50M Direct Marketing company which increased real revenue by 401% and grew EBITDA from 14.5 to 19%.

The best way to sum Rick up is that he sees things others do not; knows how to fix problems while provide a communicative vision that benefited our clients and staff members. His review quickly led him to focus on an under-performing division which he believed that it had the most potential in a turnaround situation short-term and provide a long-term growth scenario. His plan was comprehensive and incorporated the vision, communication and process development and in less than 9 months he transformed the division (over 400% growth and 30% cost reduction) into a significant asset in the eventual negotiation and sale of the company.

~ Richard O.

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You can have a balanced life and increase profits.

“I am now able to spend more time with my family…”

~ Family-run small service business

Richard has helped me get control over my business instead of me feeling the business dictates my every move. He has given me perspectives from looking at the business from the outside that I could not see while running it on a day to day basis. Because I followed his advice I am now able to spend more time with my family and do some of the things I like to do. In addition to that, my net profit has gone up even though I cut revenue by ridding myself of problem jobs.

~ Michael S.

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Leadership is better when one knows what they are delegating.

One of the more knowledgeable executives/leaders I have had the pleasure to work for. Rick's natural leadership abilities, forward thinking, and understanding of market drivers and conditions allowed him to take a "novelty" industry and turn it into something on a much larger scale. His pioneering leadership within the eCommerce industry provided opportunities for other organizations to enter, expand and move this retail sector into a viable profitable electronic business.

~ Paul D.

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What may appear simple respect is not always the way it is.

Rick is one of the smartest, energetic and, most importantly, ethical people I have met in my 40+ year history in the music industry. His honesty and caring for those he touches is life-long, and he will be a friend forever. He is an incredible family man - he and his wife educate their children, he spends time with them, but never loses focus concerning business. He mentioned once that he has 24 hours a day to get done what needs to be done.

I have told him that if he was involved in the music industry handling artists a long time ago I truly believe that he would have had a major impact on many of the issues that artists from the 60's through 80's have due to less than honesty in the business.

~ Ray K.

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Leadership is about empowerment.

Rick is a people guy. He took the reins during an ownership change, and stabilized an otherwise shaky time at Powermax. While there, everyone was respected and listened to by the very top. We were all empowered to run our departments effectively, and the company was better off for it.

~ Ben F.

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Leadership is about picking up the phone and talking with customers every once in awhile.

I had a great experience with Richard's company, PowerMax. Their customer service was excellent, and they made me a very satisfied customer of me. I will surely be a repeat client. Its refreshing to deal with a company whose leadership is engaged and attentive to the business. I highly recommend doing business with them.

~ Donald R.

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... and having a short learning curve.

Richard learned our product line quickly. Then, using his experience and refreshing creativity, he launched successful ad campaigns for us. He developed metrics to measure the effects of each campaign to further refine it.

One of Richard’s greatest strengths? He always had his finger on our company’s pulse: bringing our employees together, asking for their ideas, listening seriously, asking more questions, and then developing a team consensus to move us forward.

I’d work with Richard again in a heartbeat.

~ Steve L.

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Leadership is about communication and mentorship.

I have Richard to thank for my trajectory into executive positions in my career. He is a great mentor and believed in me before others. He has worked in many capacities for large and small companies and brought them to a new level with his vision and refined execution. He possesses an uncanny ability to expand or save companies through his leadership abilities and functional expertise. He’s also an extremely funny person, sharing tons of optimism and joy with an atmosphere of excitement, passion and interest.

~ Yen S.