John comes from a background of nuclear missile launch officer. Yes, he had his "finger on the button!" From there he made the logical transition to humor specialist. The seeds actually were planted during his military duty where he began to study and use humor as a coping tool for the daily pressures of the job. As a North Dakota native with Norwegian roots, this unlikely candidate for "Funny Guy" learned the humor business from square one. He comes from a unique perspective which enables him to teach the empowering skills of humor to others.

John sings barbershop harmony and plays racquetball-but not at the same time. He is an experienced speaker and performer, having studied acting and dance, although he doesn't sing and dance on stage (you'll be thankful for that). For the past eight years he has directed an improv comedy troupe which produces workshops and public performances. He competed as a semi-finalist in a statewide improv tournament.

Thousands of people, from Alaska and Canada to the Bahamas, have been amused, enlightened and motivated by John's innovative keynote presentations and workshops.

Awards and Credentials

• MBA, University of Missouri, Columbia
  
• BA, University of California, Berkeley
  
• Department of Defense: 15 years' experience as a classroom educator and curriculum developer.
  
• The 36th speaker worldwide to be accredited by Toastmasters International for Professionalism and Outstanding Achievements in Public Speaking.
  
• First runner-up for two consecutive years in a ten-state humorous speaking competition, representing the best of over 20,000 speakers.