Conference Session:16 Characteristics of Greatness

A 1984 graduate of Ball State University with degrees in both journalism and history, Yaeger began his career as a newspaper reporter and then became an author. His first book was published in 1990. He has since gone on to write 16 other sports-related books (four of them New York Times bestsellers). After several years of freelancing for Sports Illustrated, Don joined the magazine’s staff full-time in July 1996. Two years later he was promoted to Associate Editor, where his work was to cover not only sporting events but the legal issues, controversial happenings and wrongdoings which affect the world of sports.

Don has had a front-row seat with some of the greatest winners in athletics, such as Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Dot Richardson, John Wooden, Shaquille O’Neal and Jimmy Connors, to name a few. Using rich, personal accounts gathered from more than 20 years of interviews with many of today’s sports legends and business leaders, Don has distilled Sixteen Consistent Characteristics of Greatness. He will share these characteristics - in how they think, how they prepare, how they work and how they live – that truly make the great ones great. Then he’ll explain how every CPUG attendees can apply these characteristics to their personal and professional lives.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Yaeger has traveled extensively. The Dominican Republic, Honduras, Japan and Great Britain can be counted among the countries in which he has resided. Currently living in Tallahassee, FL, Yaeger spends much of his time sharing the lessons he’s learned throughout his career with audiences across the country. He is also an entrepreneur and recognized business leader. He owns a political consulting business and a public relations firm.

Conference Session: A New Look at Leading and Managing Payroll

Dr. Martin Armstrong is the Senior Director of Payroll Shared Services for Time Warner Cable, the second-largest cable operator in the United States. Time Warner Cable serves more than 14 million customers in 37 states, has 36 operating divisions, and pays more than 50,000 employees.

He has 26 years of accounting experience and has held positions as a Senior Accountant, Internal Auditor, Tax Manager, Payroll Manager, and Payroll Director. He also has extensive training in management, benchmarking, process improvement, change management, best practices, strategic tax planning, and mergers & acquisitions.

Dr. Armstrong has been a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) since 1990, holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, a MBA degree from the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from Argosy University.

He is a Vice President of the American Payroll Association (APA) and a member of the APA’s National Speakers Bureau.

He is author of an Institute of Management and Administration (IOMA) seminar book entitled “Leading and Managing Payroll” and has been featured in the APA’s PAYTECH magazine, BNA’s Payroll Administration Guide Newsletter, Human Resource Executive, Accountant’s World, and Business Finance.

Conference Session: Running a Clean Program – ethical decision making and internal controls

Chuck Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer for a national private company and former Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing for a public company, is an author, and professional speaker from humble beginnings. From being raised by a single parent in "the projects" to leading a multi-million dollar sales region with hundreds of sales representatives, Gallagher understands the power of choice and how to create success. Today, Gallagher actively helps employees improve their choices, their performance and increase their sales results and skills while realizing the ramifications of their ethical choices. Through his own choices, Chuck learned these lessons the hard way.

At 26, Gallagher became the youngest tax partner in a Southeastern CPA firm. He has authored numerous articles for national publications and developed several continuing professional education (CPE) seminars, taught in over 30 states.

In the middle of a rising career, Gallagher lost everything because he made some bad choices. He has since rebuilt his career and his life back to immense success. With more vulnerability than the average keynoter, Gallagher shares with his audiences his life journey, the consequences of his unethical choices, and how life gives you second chances when you make the right choices.

Having captured the attention of audiences from coast to coast, Chuck is a business executive and an inspirational motivational speaker with a dynamic choices, success and ethics message. Reported on in Business Week Magazine and featured on CNN, CBS and NPR radio, Chuck understands the business and ethical challenges facing organizations today, whether corporate, government or association.