Research shows that 83% of the time, people can effectively manage relationships and tasks. However, in those 17% moments – when interactions become more challenging and work becomes more difficult – people discover the hard truth of whether or not they are able to continue to operate at their full potential. This truth is at the heart of emotional intelligence and leadership.

Steve Gutzler is a dynamic speaker who engages audiences everywhere on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. He has an exceptional ability to communicate clear leadership and business solutions with humor, clarity, and insight. Most importantly, Steve provides strategies on how to self-manage those 17% moments in business and life.

Through his programs, Steve inspires greatness for individuals at every level. He believes every keynote presentation should transform a life and inspire leadership, and he presents with passion and conviction.

His clients include Microsoft, Seattle Seahawks, LinkedIn, Pandora Radio, Starbucks, and Ritz Carlton. Steve is also an executive coach to many CEOs, business executives, and leading entrepreneurs.

Alan Stein, Jr. teaches proven strategies to create winning mindsets, rituals, and routines during the unseen hours. As a successful business owner and veteran basketball performance coach, Alan spent 15+ years working with the highest-performing athletes on the planet (including NBA superstar Kevin Durant). He now transfers that vast experience to help businesses and organizations develop championship-level performance, cohesion, and accountability.

Alan is a dynamic storyteller who delivers practical lessons that can be implemented immediately, and his programs reveal how to utilize the same approaches in business that elite athletes use to perform at a world-class level.

Against all odds on a gridiron in South Bend, Indiana, Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger in twenty-seven seconds, carved his name into history books as perhaps the most famous graduate of the University of Notre Dame. The son of an oil refinery worker and third of 14 children, Rudy rose from valleys of discouragement and despair to the pinnacles of success. Today, he is one of the most popular motivational speakers in the United States. It took years of fierce determination to overcome obstacles and criticisms, yet Rudy achieved his first dream - to attend Notre Dame and play football for the Fighting Irish. As fans cheered RU-DY, RU-DY, he sacked the quarterback in the last 27 seconds of the only play in the only game of his college football career. He is the only player in the school's history to be carried off the field on his teammates' shoulders. In 1993, TRISTAR Productions immortalized his life story with the blockbuster film, RUDY. Written and produced by Angelo Pizzo and David Anspaugh, the award-winning team who brought us HOOSIERS, the critically acclaimed RUDY received "Two Thumbs Up" from Siskel and Ebert and continues to inspire millions worldwide.

Today, a highly sought after motivational speaker, Rudy entertains international corporate audiences with a unique, passionate, and heartfelt style of communicating. He reaches school children, university students, and professional athletes with the same enthusiasm, portraying the human spirit that comes from his personal experiences of adversity and triumph. His captivating personality and powerful message of "YES I CAN" stays with his audiences forever. Rudy's opening remarks receive thunderous applause and standing ovations from audiences of 200 to 20,000 people who emotionally chant RU-DY, RU-DY!

Rudy has appeared on various high profile nationally televised talk shows and radio shows across the country, is featured in national magazine publications, and has been honored with the key to many cities in the United States with special proclamations for his inspiration, commitment, and human spirit. Rudy received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Our Lady of Holy Cross College, the Distinguished American Award, A Proclamation from the Governor of Nevada granting an Official Rudy Award Day, was inducted into the Speakers Hall of Fame, and spoke at the White House during the presidencies of George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

In addition to his motivational speaking, Rudy has co-authored several books, including: RUDY'S INSIGHTS FOR WINNING IN LIFE, RUDY'S LESSONS FOR YOUNG CHAMPIONS, RUDY & FRIENDS, THE RUDY IN YOU, and RUDY: MY STORY. He co-founded the RUDY FOUNDATION, whose mission is to strengthen communities by offering scholarships in education, sports, and the performing arts. The Rudy Foundation makes a positive impact by bringing people together. The Rudy Foundation develops and supports programs that positively impact the lives of children cognitively, emotionally, physically and spiritually. The RUDY AWARDS TM Program was created by the Rudy Ruettiger Foundation to recognize children who make an outstanding, exceptional effort to do their personal best everyday, overcome obstacles, set goals, stay on track to reach their Dreams and build the qualities of Character, Courage, Contribution, and Commitment into their lives everyday. The RUDY AWARDS TM is about a child's heart, will to change, and desire for self-improvement. Rudy has two awesome children; Jessica Noel Ruettiger and Daniel Joseph Ruettiger.

When famed high school basketball coach Ken Carter literally locked his undefeated, state play-off bound team out of the gym and forced them to hit the books and stop counting on athletic potential as the only ticket out of a tough, inner city life, he sent a powerful message. The film, Coach Carter, based on the lock-out and starring Samuel L. Jackson as the Coach, is just one more testimony to the strength of his convictions. At the podium, Coach Carter scores with hard-hitting advice about accountability, integrity, teamwork and leadership to succeed both on and off the basketball court.

A successful businessman when he accepted the head basketball coach position at Richmond High School (Richmond, CA) in 1997, Carter had a monumental task at hand. The students were failing academically at an alarming rate, and the athletic programs were in a pathetic state. Within two years, he had virtually single-handedly turned around the school, physically cleaning up (trash, graffiti, drug dealers), and also mentally cleaning house as well. A contract which each player and his parents signed spelled out crucial rules of conduct: treat others with respect; shun drugs and alcohol; sit in the front of class and participate; wear suit and tie on game day; and maintain a minimum of a 2.3 GPA. And when not all of the players lived up to these obligations, the play-off bound, undefeated Richmond Oilers (13-0) including Carter’s own son, Damien—were locked out of the gym and pulled from any basketball-related activities to learn how to “…rise as a team.” Academically solid players tutored weaker ones, and the whole team improved their GPAs. Most importantly, these inner city students ultimately returned not just to the court, but to a new standard of winning, one which transcended the hoop dreams of high school, to college educations and futures they might never have imagined for themselves.

In addition to coaching SlamBall’s champion team, The Rumble, Carter is owner/operator of Prime Time Publishing, Prime Time Sports, and is an author. He is also founder and chairman of the Coach Ken Carter Foundation, a non profit organization which develops, promotes and provides education, training and mentoring programs for minority youths. In 2002, he was selected to carry the Olympic torch for the San Francisco Bay Area/Richmond California.

Jay Rifenbary, a Saratoga Springs, NY resident, is president of Rifenbary Training & Development, and author of the International Best-Seller, “No Excuse! – Incorporating Core Values, Accountability and Balance into Your Life and Career”, awarded “Book of the Year” by the North American Book Dealers Exchange, His most recent releases include “True to Your Core – Common Sense Values for Living Life to its Fullest” & “Return To Your Core – Principles For a Purposeful and Respected Life”

Jay is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant; and for over 20 years has provided his expertise in the areas of core value personal & professional development, servant leadership, and communication training to organizations, associations and schools across North America, Europe and Asia.

Jay received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, with a concentration in Nuclear Physics.

From being a former qualified Airborne/Ranger, Military Commander, Sales Professional, Corporate Manager and Entrepreneur, Jay brings a unique background of interpersonal skills and business experience to each of his training and speaking engagements.

Within his community, Jay has been a member of the Saratoga Springs City School District Board of Education, a member of the 19th Congressional District Service Academy Selection Committee, a member of the board of directors for Patriot Hills of NY, and a columnist for the Saratogian newspaper.

He and his wife, Noni, have two adult children Nicole 34 and Jared 30.

Jack Canfield, Best Selling Author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul”, said of “No Excuse!” that, Jay has given the world a most generous gift. Anyone who applies the “No Excuse!” philosophy can create the life they want and make a difference.

Veteran broadcaster Jim Hunter, returns for his 23nd season as a member of the Orioles broadcast team and will call a majority of games on the Orioles Radio Network this season. He will also call games on MASN for the 16th straight season

Hunter’s extensive 41-year broadcasting career includes seven MLB postseasons, 12 Super Bowls, and two Winter Olympic Games, including 1992 in Albertville, France and 1994 in Lillehammer, Norway. He has worked alongside Hall of Fame Players Johnny Bench, Jerry Coleman and Jim Palmer, as well as legendary Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell.

Hunter, 60, began his broadcasting career in 1978 at WJLK Radio in Asbury Park, N.J. before moving to CBS Sports Radio in 1982. While with CBS Sports Radio, he served as the anchor on several shows, including “Sports Central USA,” “Sports Break” and “Inside Pitch”. He was also a member of the network’s MLB “Game of the Week” announcing team for 10 years, as well as a host for NFL Preview and NFL pre-game and halftime reports.

An active parishioner at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church and a 3rd degree member of the Knights Of Columbus, Hunter is involved in numerous charitable projects within the Archdiocese of Baltimore including helping the Little Sisters of the Poor. During the offseason, he also makes appearances in the community on behalf of the Orioles.

A native of Hazlet, N.J., Hunter is a 1977 graduate of St. John Vianney High School, and was inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame for football and baseball in 1994. He attended Brookdale Community College and was inducted into the Brookdale Hall Of Fame in 2018. He graduated from Seton Hall University with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts in 1982.

In 2002, Hunter was named Maryland Sportscaster of the Year by The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. He also received the prestigious Radio/TV Media Excellence Award from the New Jersey Sportswriters Association in 1998.

Hunter resides in Fallston, Md. with his wife, Bonnie. They have three adult children – Jimmy, Jeff, and Allie.