“The Spark Plug’s” upbeat attitude, positive outlook on life, charismatic personality, and boundless energy have all contributed to his success in every sales arena. In 1984, while working for one of the nation’s leading sporting goods organizations, the president, John Smith, was so impressed with his sales ability, energy and enthusiasm that he bestowed upon him the nickname, “Spark Plug.”  It was a perfect match for his personality because another definition for spark plug is “a person who inspires or energizes”-- and the rest is Spark Plug history.  “The Spark Plug” has sold everything from pots and pans from the trunk of his car to advertising space in business directories. His many sales experiences gave him an opportunity to embrace, appreciate and connect with people from all walks of life. ACDelco, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of spark plugs even crowned him as their “human spark plug” and hired him to speak to their sales force and make personal appearances on their behalf.

“The Spark Plug” is a world traveler.  Not only has he visited Buckingham Palace in London, he’s been mesmerized by the beauty of the Grand Canyon, skied the French Alps, admired the leaning tower of Pisa in Italy, walked through the Coliseum in Rome, flown over the Eiffel Tower in Paris, rode the Maid of the Mist to the base of Niagara Falls in Canada, cruised through the Suez Canal and Straits of Gibraltar, snorkeled in the Caribbean, swam with the dolphins in Bermuda, stood at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, attended a wedding in Jamaica, and celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary in the Bahamas. 

Along with over 20 years of sales experience, “The Spark Plug” is a distinguished 2002 graduate of Mercer University’s cutting edge leadership program with a bachelor’s degree in Organization Leadership and a graduate of Duke University’s world class Innovative Leadership Program.  He is a volunteer for the American Lung Association, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, and the recipient of Atlanta’s Phoenix Award, the city’s most prestigious award for community service. The Mayor of Flint, Michigan, Woodrow Stanley, proclaimed May 14, 1997, as Spark Plug Day, in honor of his work with local high school students.  He’s also a humanitarian, entrepreneur, U.S. Navy veteran, tennis player, author, publisher, snow skier, biking enthusiast, real estate investor, art collector, photographer, and soon to be independent filmmaker!

Spark Plug International, Inc. was founded in 1995 as a professional keynote speaking business, focusing on personal development.  Today, “The Spark Plug” speaks on motivation, diversity and effective leadership practices for the 21st Century.  He has inspired thousands of people around the country and abroad with his messages of hope, inspiration and encouragement.  His most popular keynote presentations are, You Can Add a Spark to Whatever You Do, and The Motivating Power of Leadership.  His latest book is entitled, Grow Through It & Lead, which has received glowing endorsements from best-selling author, Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., MD, world renown neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, and legendary University of Georgia Head Football Coach, Vince Dooley, among others.

“The Spark Plug” does keynote presentations for many of the world’s Fortune 500 companies.  He is the speaker of choice for leadership conferences, women’s groups, managers’ meetings, corporate retreats, sales meetings, schools, and government agencies where he is known as the U.S. Government’s official morale booster.  His insightful presentations, which focus on leadership, diversity and motivation are filled with personal stories as well as proven leadership strategies.  “The Spark Plug” is guaranteed to be informative, exciting, entertaining and unforgettable. He is often heralded as the highlight of the meeting or conference. When your group needs a high-energy presenter to speak passionately and informatively about customer service, leadership, motivation or diversity, book “The Spark Plug!” (See testimonials.)