Our Leadership Team

Michael K. Clifford
Chairman

Bio / Experience & Credentials

Michael K. Clifford is the founder and Managing Director of Significant Ventures, a consultancy offering a unique global network of high-value relationships in the venture capital and private equity markets combined with marketing, sales, and business development expertise. Significant Ventures focuses on quietly and effectively creating acquisitions/mergers, private partnerships, joint ventures, affiliations and strategic alliances for companies domestically and internationally. He advises CEO's of both non-profit and for-profit corporations specifically utilizing his remarkable group of relationships combined with creative growth strategies for business development.

Mr. Clifford is a serial entrepreneur who has consulted for numerous well-known individuals and entities, as well as founding a handful of education, communications technology, and service companies. His philosophy of creating an arbitrage opportunity for the customer has demonstrated an ability to build revenues rapidly for any company in which he is engaged.

Mr. Clifford is also a former large-market radio station owner of KUPD Arizona founded by his father. Additionally, Michael spent the first twenty-five years of his life as a professional musician.

Before forming Significant Ventures, he has produced the world's largest distance learning/training and fundraising closed-circuit TV events for non-profit organizations. Clifford produced the master strategy for a series of global videoconferences for evangelist Billy Graham.

Mr. Clifford has helped raise in excess of $400 million for non-profit charities over the past 20 years leading various efforts. Clifford is a volunteer to several charities including the Dream Center (www.dreamcenter.org) and CarAngel (www.carangel.org), which he founded, and which gives away in excess of one million dollars per year to other charities.

Clifford is the co-producer of the new three hour Animated children's DVD series Donkey Ollie (www.donkeyollie.com) which is being prepared for world-wide release and will be distributed to preschools and children via libraries, churches and early-learning centers.

He was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal as the highest paid political consultant in America in 1986 having creating from scratch a grassroots Presidential campaign which beat the first President Bush in the Iowa primaries.

Due to his growing number of private equity firm and international banking relationships, Mr. Clifford has recently formed the merchant banking firm Eliezer, LLC for the purpose of introducing and advising private investors to global investment opportunities.

As founder and Chairman of ValueArchitects, Mr. Clifford is working with leading CEOs of the Global 1000 developing transformation strategies based on his unique Six Sigma relationships in partnership with the chief architect of Six Sigma, Dr. Mikel J. Harry (www.valuecreation.com).

He founded and is Vice Chairman of Significant Education, LLC which owns and operates Grand Canyon University (GCU). GCU, which is fully regionally accredited, is considered one of the highest quality, fastest growing universities in the world (www.gcu.edu).

Mr. Clifford is also the original founder of BridgePoint (www.bridgepoint.com), a company funded by Warburg Pincus now led by a world class management team that is revolutionizing adult education.

Significant Ventures is now developing a unique group of companies via the portal Ministry.com which includes HomeSkills.com, an online tutoring service for the K thru 12 market, and WordReading.com, an interactive reading program via CD's.

Mr. Clifford is the author of two books and speaks to various groups on a regular basis for no fee on topics that he is passionate about. He has also served as a board member for the Council of National Policy and a number of political, charitable, business and non-profit organizations. He has an Honorary Doctorate in Sacred Theology. Clifford has been active behind the scenes in numerous political areas.

Our Advisory Board

Alice Cooper

Laying solid groundwork for future generations by making a difference in lives is a driving force in the life of Alice Cooper. God has blessed the legendary shock rocker with many talents and abilities which are especially evident in his accomplishments in the performing arts community and his dedication to young people. He became a born-again Christian thirteen years ago. The 56-year-old musician is no longer running from the God he rebelled against in his youth. Truly, Alice has learned new lessons late in life—which proves school is never really out. He continues to be a powerful witness in an industry that needs the values he shares.

For years, Alice Cooper has been a supporter of Grand Canyon University. In addition to his support for GCU, in 1995 Cooper and his wife established, along with their friend Chuck Savale, the Solid Rock Foundation, aimed at "honoring Christ by providing financial assistance and help to teenagers and children in our community." They desire to meet spiritual, physical, mental or social needs, while helping young people avoid gangs, guns, drugs, and other dangerous or difficult situations in their lives. The foundation raises money to assist with programs in these areas through a variety of benefits, including the annual MTX Alice Cooper Celebrity AM Golf Tournament, and a yearly holiday show, "Alice's Christmas Pudding."

Cooper, whose given name was Vincent Furnier, grew up in Phoenix where his parents served as Baptist missionaries on a local Indian reservation. A track star and writer for the school paper, he graduated from Cortez High School in 1966. After years of concentrated touring and releasing new albums in the "Shock rock" vein, Cooper had a life-changing encounter with Christ, and has become a model Christian. These days, Cooper spends most of his time in Phoenix with his wife of 28 years and their three children, who he has coached in Little League. He is also an avid golfer who has helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities through his Solid Rock foundation and annual benefits.

Naomi Judd
5 Time Grammy Winning Recording Artist

"I'm a communicator," says Naomi Judd, "whether I'm expressing myself through writing a song or a book or I am singing, acting, speaking at an engagement or even chatting one-on-one with a stranger on the street. Finding a way to share our common experiences is my grand passion."

Naomi first expressed this passion of communication as half of country music's most famous mother/daughter team, The Judds. There, she also first captured national attention during the duo's meteoric rise. Their popularity earned them 20 top 10 hits (including 15 #1s) and kept them undefeated for eight consecutive years at all three major country music awards shows. In addition, the duo won 5 Grammys and a vast array of other awards and honors. As a songwriter, Naomi also won a Grammy for "Country Song of the Year" with the Judds' smash hit "Love Can Build A Bridge."

In 1991, after selling over 20 million albums and videos in a mere seven years and at the pinnacle of their phenomenal career, The Judds' reign came to an abrupt end. Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, a potentially fatal chronic liver disease that forced her retirement. Their duet ended on a high note when their "Farewell" tour was the top grossing act and their farewell concert was the most successful musical event in cable pay-per view history.

With unwavering optimism and characteristic inner strength, Naomi stepped out of the spotlight to explore paths that have led to new successful endeavors. Today, she is completely cured of the Hepatitis C virus and uses the strength of her own experiences as spokesperson for the America Liver Foundation. In 1991, Naomi created the Naomi Judd Education and Research Fund, using her household name and personal time to raise invaluable awareness of the deadly Hepatitis C virus as well as research funds for the American Liver Foundation.

Though her creativity continues to flow through music and writing, today Naomi also expresses her energy on humanitarian activities, social issues and personal growth education. Her natural ability to act as a translator between academic communities and everyday people makes her a truly unique figure. Her background and knowledge on various health and family related issues has led to invitations to speak at countless conventions, seminars and high profile summits as well as numerous media awareness campaigns and Capitol Hill hearings.

Naomi Judd - Former registered nurse, well versed in women's health concerns, sings the benefits of harmony between mind, body and spirit. Naomi has addressed the heads of the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the 2001 Bio-Technology Convention. Naomi is on Dr. Andrew Weil's board of directors as an advocate for integrative approaches to medicine incorporated alongside more modern technology.

Naomi Judd - Former uninsured single mom on welfare. Naomi advocates health care reform on behalf of the 44 million Americans who have no medical coverage. She has spoken candidly during public appearances and press interviews about her personal experience of raising two small children as a single mother on welfare with no medical insurance.

Naomi Judd - Former Domestic Violence Victim. Naomi's story as a victim of domestic violence makes her a powerful motivational speaker against such injustices. She shows how emotional and physical scars can be transformed into inner strength and fulfillment.

Naomi Judd - Mother of two highly successful daughters. One of Naomi's priorities is the restoration of the family. Naomi's Home Companion, a cookbook filled with deliciously simple recipes, "food for thought" and family photos, was written by Naomi as a guide for encouraging families to spend time together around the dinner table. Daughters Ashley and Wynonna along with her two children, Elijah and Grace, share adjoining farms with Naomi, making it convenient for their many "family time" activities and "get togethers."

Naomi Judd - Humanitarian. Believing that "service is the work of the soul and we're here to grow in love, wisdom and be of service," Naomi is active in humanitarian and social issues participating in anti-violence programs like the Safe School Summit, and the Women's World Peace Initiative. She's on the board of M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), a board member of USA Weekend's Make A Difference Day (promoting volunteer work), a member of the Parents Television Council, and has donated her time and money to Kids on Stage (local school program promoting the arts). In addition to helping start a hospice in her hometown, every Fourth of July the small town Ashland, Kentucky girl returns home for the Judd's Annual Food Drive to stock the Appalachia pantry.

Naomi Judd - The Communicator. Her rare combination of extraordinary talent, modesty, and "tell it like it is" candor has earned Naomi the moniker of "The Star Next Door." Truly, she is just as comfortable mingling with the rich, famous, and influential as she is hanging out with friends and neighbors at her rural farm. She has the gift of fitting in while standing out.

Naomi says, "I'm not an expert in anything except making mistakes, but I do have a Ph.D from the school of hard knocks and I'm a road scholar. America is my research lab and I'm just a student of human nature."

It is this down to earth attitude along with her amazing life story that makes Naomi Judd one of the most admired and inspiring women in the world.

Dennis C. Carey

Dennis Carey serves as a consultant with Spencer Stuart, where he specializes in the recruitment of CEOs and corporate directors. In recent years, Dennis has conducted searches for the current CEOs of Tyco International, Unisys, MCI and American Standard, among others. Dennis also has conducted board director searches for dozens of companies, including American Express, CBS, Tyco International (entire new board), Air Products, Rohm and Haas, AmerisourceBergen, Allied Signal, Amgen, V.F. Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, CIGNA, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and UNOCAL.

Dennis serves as a director of AirClic, The Edgewater Funds, Blue Capital LLC, Directors & Boards and Wharton's Director's Institute, which he co-founded. He has been an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association since 1981. He founded G100, the Chairman Academy, and the CEO Academy. He also co-founded the Wharton Board Excellence Award Program.

Dennis holds a Ph.D in finance and administration from the University of Maryland and was a post-doctoral Fellow at Harvard University in 1982-1983. Dennis also has held visiting Fellowships at Princeton Theological Seminary and the ECC. He has authored numerous articles on corporate governance, director recruitment, board compensation (Directors & Boards magazine), and business strategy related to spin-offs (McKinsey Quarterly). He also has published three books: CEO Succession and The Human Side of M&A, both published by Oxford University Press in 2000, and How to Run a Company, published by Crown Business in 2003.

Previous experience includes being managing director at Hay Management Consultants; Secretary of Labor and Industry to Governor Pierre S. Dupont IV; and serving as vice president of The University of Delaware.

In 1980, Dennis was ranked by the World Swimming Federation as one of the top 20 swimmers in the world after completing his swim of the English Channel. He lives with his two children in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Mark Victor Hansen
America's Ambassador of Possibility
Awakening the possibility in every soul!

In the area of human potential, no one is better known and more respected than Mark Victor Hansen. For more than 30 years, Mark Victor Hansen has focused solely on helping people and organizations reshape their personal vision of what's possible. His powerful messages of possibility, opportunity, and action have helped create startling and powerful change in thousands of organizations, and millions of individuals worldwide.

With his endearing charismatic style, Mark captures his audience's attention as well as their hearts. With his one-of-a-kind technique and masterful story-telling ability, he is one of the most dynamic and compelling speakers of our time.

You may know Mark as "that Chicken Soup for the Soul guy." A cultural icon now celebrating its 11th year, Mark and his business partner Jack Canfield created what TIME magazine called, "the publishing phenomenon of the decade." With more than 100 million Chicken Soup for the Soul books sold around the world and over 40 licensed products in the marketplace, it is one of the most successful publishing franchises in the world today.

The Chicken Soup idea was just one of many that has propelled Mark into the worldwide spotlight as a sought-after keynote speaker, best-selling author and marketing maven. The author of many books such as The Power of Focus, The Aladdin Factor, Dare to Win, The Miracle of Tithing and others, Mark has an extensive library of audio and video programs in the areas of big thinking, sales performance, wealth building, marketing, publishing and personal and professional development.

The first two books in Mark's millionaire series co-authored with Robert Allen, are The One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to Wealth and Cracking the Millionaire Code; Your Key to Enlightened Wealth. They are destined to inspire the creation of one million millionaires this decade.

His energy and exuberance travels still further through mediums such as television (Oprah, CNN and The Today Show), print (TIME, US News & World Report, USA Today, The New York Times and Entrepreneur) and countless radio and newspaper interviews as he assures everyone of the inherent genius in all of us if we choose to access our centers of influence, leverage our strengths and take action.

Mark is the founder of MEGA Book Marketing University, MEGA Speaking Empire and MEGA Marketing Magic. Each of these annual conferences speak to the specific needs of those who want to discover, create and launch business empires.

A passionate philanthropist and humanitarian, Mark teaches the principles of the four types of tithing: thinking, time, talent and treasures. Favored charities are Horatio Alger Scholarships, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Operation Smile, OCEANA , March of Dimes, Covenant House and Childhelp USA.

In the year 2000, The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans honored Mark with the prestigious Horatio Alger Award. Each year, this association honors American leaders who personify the virtues and principles inherent in the success stories written by nineteenth century American author Horatio Alger, Jr. As an award winner, Mark's extraordinary life achievements stand as a powerful example that the free enterprise system still offers opportunity to all.

In 2004, Mark was inducted into the Sales & Marketing Executive International's Hall of Fame, receiving the Ambassador of Free Enterprise award. He is also the recipient of the 2004 Visionary Philanthropist for Youth Award by Covenant House of CA.

In 2000, Northwood University honored him as the Outstanding Business Leader of the Year. In 2002, The University of Toledo presented Mark with an Honorary PhD in Business Administration and established the Mark Victor Hansen Entrepreneurial Excellence Fund, which will help shape the minds of future business leaders and assist in the development of the faculty who will teach them.

Mark presents 50-75 seminars each year, serves as chairman of M. V. Hansen & Associates, Inc., is co-founder and chief visionary officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc. and is the president of One Minute Millionaire, LLC.

Mark Victor Hansen is an enthusiastic crusader of what's possible and is driven to make the world a better place. For more on Mark Victor Hansen, please visit www.markvictorhansen.com

Gerald B. Cramer
Advisor

A co-founder and Chairman of CRM LLC. Prior to co-founding the firm in 1973, Gerry was a Senior Partner at Oppenheimer & Company. He earned a BS from Syracuse and attended the University of Pennsylvania Wharton Graduate School of Finance. He also served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. Gerry serves on the Board of Teatown Lake Reservation as well as the Board of Trustees at Syracuse University and serves on its Investment Committee. He is a former trustee of St. Joseph's Medical Center.

William Mohlenbrock, M.D.
Chairman and Founder
Crossflo Systems, Inc.

Dr. Mohlenbrock has combined entrepreneurialism with a successful orthopaedic surgery practice for more than 25 years at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA. He has also served as assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Diego since 1973. In 1983, Dr. Mohlenbrock founded Iameter, Inc. and developed the Acuity Index Method, a clinical information system for monitoring and improving quality and cost-efficient inpatient care. Under his leadership, Iameter reached $10 million in sales in the late 1990's. Dr. Mohlenbrock's healthcare ventures relied, in part, on the ability to share data between different kinds of databases. Recognizing information sharing to be an even more compelling need throughout all levels of Homeland Security, he founded Crossflo Systems in 2002 to fulfill this national imperative.

Dr. Mohlenbrock served in the naval reserves from 1961 to 1966 at which time he began his active duty military service at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, FL. Upon completion of flight surgeon training he was transferred to NAS North Island in San Diego. In 1968 his squadrons were deployed on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown to the Sea of Japan during the North Korean, Pueblo Incident and then to the Tonkin Gulf off North Vietnam. The 8 month separation prompted his wife, Betty, to utilize her skills as a reading specialist to create the Family Literacy Foundation. The organization's mission is to facilitate the bonding between deployed parents and their children through an underway read-aloud program conducted on video tapes that are mailed home for the children's viewing. This simple but powerful activity eases their anxieties caused by the separation and instills in them the love of reading. The program is currently utilized by every ship in the Navy as well as many shore-based facilities in the Middle East.

Dr. Mohlenbrock received his BS degree from the University of Illinois and his MD from the St. Louis University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Medical Association and holds fellowships in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons and the American College of Physician Executives. He is also a noted international lecturer and has published numerous articles on measuring and improving the quality and cost efficiency of medical care.

Rufus Glasper

Rufus Glasper is Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges. His passion is to teach young people to believe in themselves as a means of achieving their dreams. Maricopa Community Colleges have distinguished themselves under his leadership, serving a quarter million students annually and partnering with over 1,000 businesses.

His strong history of community involvement includes an appointment by the governor to serve as a board member for the Arizona Health Facilities Authority. He is a long-standing member of the Phoenix Urban League and Chairman of the Board for Black Family Child Services. He also is a member of the Governmental Accounting Standards board's College and University Task Force. Included in his many awards are the Kellogg Foundation Fellowship in Community College Leadership and the Roy Wilkins Award through the Maricopa County Chapter of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Rufus earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Luther College, and a master's and advanced degrees in school business administration from Northern Illinois University. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy degree in higher education finance from the University of Arizona. He is both a certified public accountant and a certified government financial manager.

Our Board of Directors

Brian Stewart

Brian Stewart is the founder and Managing Director of Reignbow Media, an entertainment company offering a wide range of marketing, and promotion expertise. Reignbow Media focuses on creating enduring product and advertising campaigns and introduces to the market innovative products and fundraising ideas which have impacted the United States society in major way. He has worked with many of the largest media conglomerates in the world including Clear Channel, Lamar Outdoor, Google, Mapquest and Viacom securing multiple exposure and opportunities for his clients. He is managing director of Car Angel New Millennium Scholarship Fund which provides educational and subsistent support to over 11,000 third world residents.

Mr. Stewart is the former owner/founder of Abba's Acre of Antiques selected as "Best of Phoenix " and the past owner/founder of "The Egg Garden" a successful restaurant in Tucson Arizona. Brian has spent many years of his life as a traveling professional musician worked with members of Eric Clapton's Band, Michael Jackson's Band, and did keyboards on remixed for Led Zepplin's Robert Plant, Ru Paul, Backstreet Boys and a host of others. He scored several number one hits on the Billboard Dance Charts, Christian Music Charts and International Music Charts. He was recently the producer/host of the nationally televised SKY ANGEL DISH Network Cable show Rave America and has produced several original musicals including Light in the Darkness, Hunchback of Notre Dame and Gates of Hell.

Before forming Reignbow Media, he promoted city wide crusades at Anaheim Convention Center in California for Maranatha Music and Calvary Chapel and was the successful co-promoter of Knotts Berry Farm's Sold Out New Years Eve Celebration which featured over 40 Christian Bands.

Brian Stewart is the author of 10 novels with current printings in excess of one million copies. He is lauded by prison Chaplains nationwide and known as the jailhouse writer as many of his books such as his recent "Death Sentence" are geared towards prison rehabilitation.

On his mother's side he traces his roots back to Silas Talbot friend of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin revolutionary war hero, New York congressman at large and the first Commodore of the United States Navy and Captain of the "Old Ironsides." Through the charity he founded "Boat Angel" thousands of lives have been changed as they actively work to support Mercy Ships hospital ship programs. On his father's side he traces his roots back to Ireland where his family were cobblers, book publishers and an electrician on the famous White Star lines.

He is a graduate of University of Arizona where he received his BA in creative writing. He continued his studies at Dick Grove Jazz School and Sherman Oaks Recording College in Hollywood California.

Charles Preston III

Our Management

Jean Lockhart
Chief Financial Officer

Imal Wagner
Media Relations

Claudia M. Nelson
Director of Communications

Claudia Nelson has worked as the Senior Executive Administrator to the President and CEO of General Electric Medical Systems where from 1983 to 1997 she led six teams in cost-cutting and customer satisfaction efforts. More recently, she worked as Assistant to the Chairman and CEO of The Stanley Works from 1997 to 2004. In 2005, she started her own business, Personal Assistant, LLC (www.personalassistantllc.com).

Claudia received her B.A. in Legal Assistance in 1990, and B.A. in Management and Communications in 1991 from Concordia College-Wisconsin. She will graduate in 2006 with an M.B.A. in e-Business from the University of Phoenix.

With numerous professional articles published, she enjoys writing and some of her work has been showcased in two poetry anthologies entitled Reflections of Light and Songs on the Wind. She is currently ghostwriting a book with Michael Clifford.