Category Archives: Introductions

Introducing Global Fortune 500 Speaker Craig Whelden

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Major General Craig B. Whelden, U.S. Army (retired)

“Global Fortune 500” Speaker

Multiple Award-winning, #1 International Best-selling Author

Craig’s leadership journey started when he became an Eagle Scout at age 14.  Thirty years later, he was one of the youngest Generals in the United States Army.  

Combined with another nine years as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) with the U.S. Marine Corps, he has over 17 years at the highest levels of the U.S. military, leading thousands of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and civilians, while serving 10 years in Europe and another 12 in the Pacific.  

Approaching retirement, he was asked “What do you want to do next?” He responded simply: 


“I want to give back decades of leadership and life lessons to the next generation.”  


Now a Global Fortune 500 Speaker and Multiple Award-winning, #1 International Best-selling Author, he is among the world’s foremost experts on:

  • Inspirational Leadership
  • Effective Communications
  • Crisis Management
  • Working in Uncertain Times
  • Goal-setting and Life Balance

A Master storyteller, he uses the lessons from his life to convey takeaways on improving a host of life, work, leadership, and interpersonal habits.  Here’s some feedback from his presentations:

“He kept us all spellbound” – Joanne M.

“Now that I’ve heard you speak, I’m even more motivated to read your book!” – Karen M

“The three people I most enjoy listening to and learning from are Tony Robbins, Stephen Covey, and Craig Whelden” – Roger C.

Amazing speaker!  Made so many points that really hit home.  Would love to hear him speak again.” – John F.

“I could listen to his stories for hours!” – Jake D.

Light at the End of the Tunnel was one of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever heard.” – Larry A.

His book and his presentations have energized thousands around the world to be their very best!

Myrtle Beach Husband and Wife Both to Compete in World Food Championships

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Walter “Rick” Geise has won a spot in the World Open Chili Championship.

He is a machinist and tool maker by trade and originally learned to cook by helping his grandmother around the kitchen. His cooking skills were also greatly influenced by his wife Andreann and her family who were in the restaurant business.

Rick met his wife in 1984 while they were both still in high school. They shared a love of fishing, the outdoors and food. Andreann’s love of food and her father started her exciting journey in foodsport. She convinced Rick  to enter his first recipe contest, in which he took judges choice. He won a cash prize, a box of assorted cheeses and bragging rights since he beat out his wife for that win. Was it beginner’s luck? He is about to prove to her it was cooking skill and not luck that won him that prize. He competes for the first time in the World Food Championships (WFC) this year. She suggested he enter Taste of America, the contest that won him his Golden Ticket to WFC.

Chef Andreann Geise will be competing in sandwich.  This year’s competition marks the fourth time that she has competed at WFC. Her best finish came in 2016 when she placed fifth with her Bacon, Shrimp & Tomato Salad on Garlic Bacon Toast in the signature round of the Bacon category.

About the World Food Championships

The World Food Championships (WFC) is the highest stakes food competition in the world. This multi-day, live-event culinary competition showcases some of the world’s best cooking masters competing for food, fame and fortune in ten categories: Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Chili, Dessert, Recipe, Sandwich, Seafood and Steak. In 2018, over 1,500 contestants on nearly 500 official teams from 42 American states and 12 countries competed. More than 20 million people have attended WFC or have seen it on national TV over the past seven years. The 2019 Main Event will be held in Dallas, Texas at Reunion Tower Lawn, Oct. 16-20, 2019.

Myrtle Beach Chef to Compete in World Food Championship

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Andreann Geise, local Myrtle Beach chef and food sport competitor, is accepting sponsors for her upcoming participation in the World food Championship in Dallas in October.  She will compete for the World Sandwich Championship, and category winners then compete for overall championship. She was a judge for the chili category at the championship in 2015 and has competed for the past three years. 

Sponsors are invited to contribute any dollar amount or product related to the competition.  Sponsors receive immediate recognition on social media, continuing weekly mention until the event and daily coverage during the competition. Included for the sponsor are photos or links to the product or service. A food item or related product may be considered for use during the actual event. A patch on the chef jacket or apron also may be supplied with the top level of sponsorship.

Geise began her food sport with her win on the hometown favorite episode of Ultimate Recipe Showdown on the Food Network and has since appeared on the Cooking Channel, Fox Sports South, the Sportsman Table, A & E Network and Discovery Network. She has shared the stage with celebrity chefs including Guy Fieri, Aaron McCargo, Jr. and Fabio Viviani. She is a South Carolina Barbecue Association ambassador, a senior judge and novice instructor.

Her dishes have been served at large events such as NYC Fashion Week and Bon Appetit Supper club, and she has had many recipes published in multiple magazines. She has cooked for Cal Ripken Jr., Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr, Elise Testone, Mac Arnold, The Bronx Wanderers, Ken Lavigne, The Movin Out Band and Manhattan transfer as well as for many private parties.

The eighth annual championship event is the largest food sport tournament hosting hundreds of competitors throughout 10 categories and awarding  more than one million dollars in total prize money.  Television coverage and social media reaches many countries in addition to the United States.

Contact Geise via Facebook or andreanngeise@gmail.com to discuss sponsorship details.

A Taste of Gullah Web Series

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"A Taste of Gullah: a Web Series from Down South" produced by Dr. Janice
Marie Collins, captures the enriching spirit of the good "folk" who come
from good "stock" on the Sea Islands. Be sure to watch to the end of each
episode to find contact information for the individuals in the series,  so
that you, too, can experience, "A Taste of Gullah."

A Taste of Gullah

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"A Taste of Gullah," produced by Dr. Janice Marie Collins. From Anita
Singleton Prather as Aunt Pearlie Sue, to Oshi Green at The Gullah Grub, to
Jery Taylor and her sweet grass baskets and so many more exciting people
AND stories from the Sea Islands are captured in this 1-hour television
program that aired on WEIU-TV on PBS. https://youtu.be/EHV43AIwJQo

Journey to My Mother’s Land: Extending the Gates’ Effect into Africa

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From the Gullah coast to the West Coast of Africa, Dr. Janice Marie
Collins explores the REAL Wakanda by heading BACK to Sierra Leone, West
Africa and the Mende Tribe, her land and her people. "Journey to My
Mother's Land: Extending the Gates' Effect into Africa." For 6 weeks,
Collins immerses herself into the culture to see if the "knowing" really
matters. From the food, to religion, to female cutting, to meeting her
"cousins" and standing on the soil of Bunce Island, to the beautiful
beaches, you see all of the emotional, spiritual, challenges AND victories
As They Happen! There is no other autoehtnography like this...and it's one
you definitely want to see. "Journey to My Mother's Land: Extending the
Gates' Effect into Africa."
A journey of freedom!

Want to Know about Tiny House Living?

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Guest post by Joel Allen, featured on Speakers International for topics including tiny houses, media training and other communications.

joelYou’ve heard about the tiny house movement. Maybe you’ve seen TV shows like Tiny House Nation or Tiny House Hunters. You’re no doubt aware that the traditional American dream of a roomy, multi-bedroom home is not as attractive (or affordable) to Millennials as it was to previous generations. But you probably haven’t heard how local and state governments around the country are (belatedly) responding to the revolution in downsized living by altering zoning laws and building codes. Or how aging Baby Boomers are waking up to the advantages of tiny house living in retirement. Or how some activists see the smaller house trend as a potential solution to homelessness.

I’m Joel Allen, a seasoned broadcast journalist who’s done more than just research and report on the tiny house movement. I’m living it. My wife and I made the transition from 2,000 square feet, three bedrooms and a two-car garage to less than 400 square feet, one miniature bedroom and no garage. And we love it.

We’ve learned a few things about the pros and cons of tiny house living and we’re not saying it’s entirely easy. But I’d be happy to share with your group or company some of what we now know about the ins and outs of a downsized life and maybe I can help open your eyes to the huge benefits of a tiny house.

Great Speaker Still Available for Black History Month

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International guest speaker, celebrated author and  Philanthropy Consultant,  Rooney International Scholar, TEDx Speaker and Wellington, New Zealand Rotary Member – Getrude Matshe

Watch the TEDx Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzIyOtusDxE

Read her Huffington Post articles http://www.huffingtonpost.com/getrude-matshe/

 Getrude Matshe is an inspirational speaker who has been described as a vibrant bundle of African energy whose zest and passion for life inspires everyone she meets. She is passionate about helping people achieve their full potential and find their individual life purpose. She is passionate about individuals’ success. This makes her an energetic, inspirational and enlightening speaker. Getrude has written several books and is now a book writing coach.

About Getrude Matshe

Her speaking career started in Norway 1989 and for 12 years she has worked in the IT industry as a Systems Analyst, Systems Support Manager and Project Manager. Getrude immigrated to New Zealand in 2001 with nothing and is now the Director of three successful companies.

 

  • She started Medical Recruiters of New Zealand Ltd
  • GM Global Investments Ltd (Property)
  • As an owner she formed Simzisani Ltd, a talent agency catering for the film and advertising industry and has been instrumental in supplying ethnic extras for prominent movies such as Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” and James Cameron’s Avatar
  • She is the founder and CEO of the Africa Alive Education Foundation, an organization that supports HIV orphans in Zimbabwe
  • She formed Walk on the Wild Side Tours – a symbiotic tourism company that takes tourist to Zimbabwe to work with HIV and Aids orphans
  • She became a Rooney International Scholar in 2012 and worked at Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
  • She is married and the mother of three children and a well known African Storyteller, poet, artist and published author.
  • She is a script writer and an Independent film maker
  • She writes for CNN iReport – http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-946671?ref=email
  • Getrude blogs for the Huffington Post – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/getrude-matshe/
  • Actress in the movie “Cry Freedom” with Denzel Washington in 1987
  • 15th March 2014 Getrude was a speaker at the UN Annual Summit on the Status of Women
  • Getrude supports and volunteers for :-
    • The John Fawcett foundation in Bali Indonesia
    • Mustard Seed Orphanage in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    • The Ubuntu Africa foundation in Cape Town, South Africa
    • Ujamaa Children’s Home in Arusha, Tanzania
    • Global Camps Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa

Getrude is a dynamic entrepreneur who has started life in a new country and who has proved that anything is possible if you have a purpose.