MEET THE TEAM
Justin Erickson, PRESIDENT
With over 25 years of leadership experience with a wide variety of organizations including law-enforcement, corporations, small business, athletic, military, and scholastic, and even faith communities, Justin brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the complexities and challenges that face every person and provides strategies that get the right people doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, and for the right reason. Justin earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree from the Master's University (1998) and a Master's of Divinity from the Master's Seminary (2001). He is licensed as a SuperUser of the Core Values Index assessment and certified to coach and consult using the most accurate and practical psychometric on the planet. He is also a pastor of Desert Bible Church in Scottsdale, AZ, as well as a coach, speaker, and now the author of the book, The Seven Friendships Every Man Needs.
With nearly 30 years of corporate experience as a Project Design Management Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering (ret), Paul developed and managed large multi-national Architectural and Engineering teams for the development arm of the Walt Disney Company that dreams up, designs, engineers and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, cruise ships, real estate developments and regional entertainment venues worldwide. His most well-known accomplishments include leadership on the first projects to be delivered via BIM/IPD and overseeing complete project life-cycle delivery from master planning/concept through construction over new resorts developed for Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Paul has also served as a deacon in his church, in leadership of Men’s Ministries and as overseeing launch coordinator for a church plant in Los Angeles.
Gordon Thiessen, CONSULTANT
COACHING/ATHLETICS
gordon@hardwiredcoaching.com
Phone: (308) 293-3891
With a multi-faceted background, Jack has excelled in nearly every field that requires expert coaching. He has served the greater Los Angeles area as a licensed attorney for over 20 years, and has expert knowledge of corporate, contractual, intellectual property, and family law. Simultaneously, Jack worked in Information Technology and quickly “rose through ranks” to be a Director of Systems in charge of a major portion of the City of Los Angeles’ I.T. Agency. Because of his presentation abilities and Spanish fluency, he became the Public Information Officer to the Spanish language media and has appeared at UCLA and Cal State Northridge as a teacher and lecturer. Jack joined the third largest software vendor in the world, Computer Associates, as a Senior Vice President, of the Pre/Post Sales organization in which he obtained/closed deals with a number of multi-million dollar contracts. Subsequently, Jack formed a highly successful Commercial Real Estate Brokerage firm principally operating out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Jack has also served his community through various volunteer efforts: a past Board Member of the Greater Los Angeles Area Boy Scout Council and also as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, LASD. For the LASD, he served in a wide variety of capacities; from patrol deputy to detective, undercover and surveillance operations, management, advanced officer trainer on law & management, and most recently assisting the LASD’s Constitutional Policing Office on departmental legal matters. He also contributed two chapters to a published book called “Talking Ethics with Cops: A Practical Guide”.
With over 30 years of coaching experience with sports teams and ministries, Gordon has spoken throughout the Midwest sharing his advice on perseverance, character, and faith with audiences of all ages and from all walks of life. He is a coach, speaker, author and certified trainer for 3Dimensional Coaching and Hardwired Coaching. Gordon has written Lessons from Nebraska Football and Cross Training Workout. He also co-wrote two series' of books: Team Studies on Character and Called to Compete.
Gordon served on staff with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for 28 years before co-founding Kingdom Sports with Ron Brown in 2018. He also founded Cross Training Publishing that has published more than 300 books and resources for athletes, coaches, and parents. Gordon played for the Nebraska football team in the ‘70s for Tom Osborne and later coached high school basketball and football for 25 years. He worked with Coach Tom Osborne to publish three books: On Sold Ground, Mentoring Matters, and Coaching Matters. He is married to his wife Terri and have four grown children with eight grandchildren that live in Omaha.
Daniel Woods, CONSULTANT
EDUCATION
daniel@hardwiredcoaching.com
Phone: (832) 703-9649
Daniel Woods has been a professional educator for 35 years. He has served in public and private Christian schools in Nebraska and Texas as a teacher, principal, director of international programs and superintendent. In 2001 he founded The Power of Principles Ministry in order to encourage, engage and equip today’s educators and the youth that they serve. He authored the book “Help! I’m Drowning, But Don’t Throw Me a Parachute."For six years he served as the Head of School at Northland Christian School in Houston, Texas where he created and developed a premier international student program. He has worked with businesses, schools, parents, and students in China, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan.
Mr. Woods earned his Bachelor’s degree in biology from Doane College (Nebraska), Master’s in Educational Leadership from Wayne State College (Nebraska) and an Educational Special degree (Ed. S.) in school administration from the University of Nebraska. Daniel has been married to his wife, Kimmarie for 33 years and they have three grown children, and eight grandchildren.
Calvin is the co-founder of The Transformation Project, an organization committed to raising up “elite” entrepreneurs in underserved communities and the low income workforce. His mission in life is to help people discover and live within the context of their designed framework to experience their best life. His unique ability to reveal hidden possibilities, unrealized potential, and undiscovered means is accomplished through a unique method of empowerment.
Calvin is an alumni of the Colorado Springs premier inaugural executive leadership program at the Center for Creative Leadership. He has been and continues to be a strategic community leader in cutting edge initiatives such as PACT – Police and Clergy Together, the NET – Clergy and Ministry Initiative to develop and improve relationships within the Colorado Springs community. He is a former board member of the Colorado Springs YMCA Colorado Springs USO.
Calvin’s life experience includes 28 years of pastoring; 14 years of retail management; national and international conference speaker and leadership trainer; radio weekly bible teacher; local television program host; and visiting guest business and leadership lecturer at Pikes Peak Community College, DeVry Graduate School of Management, & Colorado Christian University. He has an Associate Degree in Business from Pikes Peak Community College
Calvin serves as a personal development consultant to collegiate athletes, NBA players, Scouts, and coaches. He also serves as a spiritual advisor to executive leaders.
He is the founder of the organization ValueLife with a vision to create a worldwide movement that recalibrates humanity to value life.
Calvin is currently serving as the south campus pastor of Emmanuel in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Mr. Baker is Co-Founder and President of Strategos International founded in 2002. His professional experiences include 25 years of patrol, investigations, and special operations assignments. He has also served as a member of his agency’s SWAT team for over13 years. He has trained tens of thousands of school, healthcare, government, faith based, law enforcement and military professionals from around the world over the past 2 1/2 decades on various safety, security, law enforcement, military and tactical related topics. Additionally he has developed curriculum related to active threat intruder response, armed robbery response, corporate/school and faith based security, behavior pattern recognition for predictive violence, personal awareness and safety and numerous other safety and security related topics.
He is the author and co-author of two books:
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The Church Security Handbook:A Practical Guide for Protecting Your Congregation in Uncertain Times!
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Active Threat:Workplace 911:An Expert Guide to Preventing, Preparing for and Prevailing Over Attacks at Work, School and Church
Strategos International has trained, consulted and protected over 250,000 government, corporate, school, faith-based, law enforcement, military, church, and security professionals since 2002. Strategos is considered the leading authority on the active threat and church security topics based on their years of research, experience and practical testing of principles taught. Strategos has trained, consulted and protected clients in 15 countries around the world since their founding.
With over 20 years of education and school development experience all over the USA and abroad, John brings a wealth of innovative solutions to training, personnel development, and onboarding. He has served as an educational consultant exploring gap analysis and systems refinement for elite school systems in Australia, England, Japan, and Korea.
He has served as an onboarding and professional development specialist for several global online schools. Additionally, John has co-developed an innovative talent development tool allowing organizations to identify, refine, and enhance both their current work force and refine selection for future growth.
In addition, John is certified in online professional development training and support. Using digital platforms that feature an array of training programs and services, John creates online communities that are capable of on-boarding and empowering all business stakeholders or school stakeholders for continued professional growth. His experience in business, education, online learning, user journey mapping, and user experience (UX) strategy contribute to high-level training course builds and support.
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Lisa Roark, CONSULTANT
EDUCATION
Lisa@hardwiredcoaching.com
Phone: 719.464.1193
Lisa Roark has worked in the mental health and education field for over 25 years. She graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Science Education and a Master of Education Degree in Guidance and Counseling.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Lisa has extensive experience as a school career and college guidance counselor and as an educational consultant. In addition, she is an Adjunct Instructor in the Psychology Department at LeTourneau University.
Lisa is passionate about helping others understand themselves in order to reach their God-given potential. You can learn more about Lisa's coaching deliverables at: hardwiredlearning.com
Jon Benzinger, CONSULTANT
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Email: jon@redeemeraz.org
Phone: 480.926.8230
Jon has over 20 years of experience in athletic, educational, non-profit, and ministry work. Starting in junior high, he knew he wanted to help people with his life, a desire that ultimately led to pastoral ministry and training at Vanguard University, Trinity Law and Graduate School, and The Master’s Seminary. He has been the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Bible Church since 2015, one of the fastest-growing churches in Arizona. He loves coaching pastors as the Founder of HelpingPastors.org, helping them improve in their preaching, get their lives and ministries "unstuck," and advancing in God's will. He and his wife Katie have four kids.
Aaron Pendleton, CONSULTANT
BUSINESS AND CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Aaron@hardwiredcoaching.com
Phone: 719.464.1193
Aaron loves training, mentoring, and leading others toward reaching their potential. He wants to help empower others to make a significant impact through their life. His greatest desire is to build a platform for others and champion them as they discover their purpose and destiny!
He has spent the last 25 years in non-profit organizations and churches, creating a people-first culture of developing leaders, creating efficiencies to help organizations scale to the next level, and being a catalyst to guide people through change. He has coached pastors, ministry leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs to lean into their strengths and leverage the team around them. He spent several years leading international mission teams around the globe.
Aaron is currently serving as an associate pastor and a fractional executive for a non-profit that provides IT support to faith-based organizations. He is a Colorado native who enjoys hiking in the mountains with his wife, Angela, and three children!