Hilda Lunderstedt

November 2, 2016November 2, 2016 / Marquis Who's Who / Leave a comment

Director
Lunderstedt Group
Roodepoort, South Africa
hilda@meethilda.com
http://meethilda.com
Industry: Business Services
Field: Business Strategy, Marketing and Branding

Hilda Lunderstedt has three years of experience as a director of Lunderstedt Group, an entrepreneurship that provides strategic management, branding and marketing. On a daily basis, she is responsible for setting and steering the vision and future of the group, reviewing business opportunities, networking and overseeing all operations of the company, including marketing, business strategy, branding and negotiation. In 2001, Ms Lunderstedt started NutriLida Healthcare, which was recognized as one of the most innovative and successful nutraceutical companies. She grew it into a nine-figure turnover business within a few years. NutriLida Healthcare was later sold to a major South African pharmaceutical company, which paved the way for Hilda’s expansion into the international arena as a serial entrepreneur.

Over the years, Ms. Lunderstedt has established herself as an expert in business strategy, innovation, marketing and branding of businesses, products and services. As shareholder in several entities, she plays a key role in guiding these companies with future planning and growth strategies, including marketing, business strategies, branding and negotiation.

Ms. Lunderstedt is also a children’s ambassador for Tekkie Tax Day, an annual fundraising campaign in South Africa, which raises millions in aid of welfare organizations across South Africa. Through her philanthropy, she hopes to bring positive change to the lives of the millions of underprivileged South African children. In years to come, Ms. Lunderstedt aims for continued growth in her career. She wants to make a positive impact on the world.

Norman Solovay

October 6, 2016October 6, 2016 / Marquis Who's Who / Leave a comment

Partner
The Solovay Practice
New York, NY 10016 USA
nsolovay@solovaypractice.com
http://www.solovaypractice.com
Industry: Law
Field: Alternative Dispute Resolution

Mr. Solovay initially resisted following in his lawyer-father’s footsteps, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cornell University. Called to duty as a lieutenant in the Korean War by virtue of his ROTC service at Cornell, he was posted to the Psychological Warfare Center at Fort Bragg. However, when his family history caused him to be assigned as its legal officer, he surrendered and, after his services in the Army, he attended Columbia Law School. There he served as an editor of the Columbia Law Review and graduated with top honors. Joining the Rosenman Colin firm as a litigation associate right out of school, Mr. Solovay left after several years to get more hands on litigation experience.

After serving as a law secretary to then Justice Charles D. Breitel, Mr. Solovay formed, and for the largest part of his career, headed the litigation department of a then 15 lawyer firm with a unique practice for its size. As general counsel to Allen & Company and many of its corporate clients, as well as to the Onassis interests and others, Mr. Solovay’s litigation practice was an unusually diverse. The firm’s senior partner was chair of the American Arbitration Association, and it handled many important arbitrations. One precedent setting uniquely long running and expensive international arbitration resulted in an invitation to him to author the first of his three alternative dispute resolution books.

Mr. Solovay’s firm eventually grew to 45 lawyers and his litigation department held 15, but it finally imploded by virtue of being too small for its big firm practice. He continued to litigate and remained on the National Trial Lawyers list of 100 best New York litigators for some time. But, he now far more highly values his election to membership in the selective National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. It was based on his still growing reputation for resolving domestic and international disputes out of court by mediation where appropriate, but also by other increasingly popular settlement techniques discussed in his third ADR book, “The Internet and Dispute Resolution: Untangling the Web,” including collaborative law, med-arb, and online dispute resolution.

Mr. Solovay’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) reputation led to accepting an invitation to chair the ADR practice of a well-known firm. However, possible conflicts led him to form his present ADR firm. There, he is still able to handle virtually all matters as in the past, but he now heads a unique specialized mediation organization as well as an international collaborative law organization and the U.S. branch of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.

Conversation with Norman Solovay

Worldwide Publishing: On what topic(s) do you consider yourself to be an expert?

Norman Solovay: Following a long litigation career, I have come to regard my present expertise as being in alternative dispute resolution, where in addition to achieving recognition as a mediator, I have become known for promoting med-arb (a combination of mediation and arbitration) and collaborative law.

What characteristics help to separate you from your competitors?

My broad litigation background permits me to appreciate more than many the advantages of settling rather than having a long, drawn-out litigation. I have covered many areas as a litigation practitioner; that has given me knowledge in a somewhat larger number of areas in addition to mediation and arbitration. I have special credentials in newly popular techniques such as med-arb and online dispute resolution.

What motivates you?

The bonds I form with my clients.

What lessons have you learned as a professional in your field?

The importance of settlements.

What is the most difficult obstacle or challenge you have faced in pursuit of your goals?

The most recent difficult obstacle was coming to a firm to head its dispute resolution practice, but finding that its litigators, like so many others, were far more interested in first following customary discovery and other procedures (coincidentally, of course, far more profitable than mediation).

How did you end up working in your current field?

My father was a lawyer and he assumed that I would follow in his footsteps. However, when I left college, I was sure that I wasn’t going to be a lawyer. I studied psychology and after college, having enrolled in ROTC, I was called into the service. I was assigned to the Psychological Warfare Center. When I got there as a lieutenant, they made me legal officer for the center because my father was a lawyer and they were in need of one. I held that job for more than a year and found it to be such an interesting introduction to law.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your profession?

When my client is happy and I receive a good result for him or her.

What advice can you offer fellow members or others aspiring to work in your industry?

I wish I had known that being a tough litigator was not as satisfying as being a good settler.

Who have been your mentors or people who have greatly influenced you?

Justice Charles Breitel.

Gilberto Rodrigues

October 6, 2016 / Marquis Who's Who / Leave a comment

Chief Executive Officer
Mota-Engil
Sandton, South Africa
gilbertor100@gmail.com
http://www.gilbertorodrigues.net
Industry: Energy
Field: Negotiations

As the chief executive officer of Mota-Engil, Gilberto Rodrigues has extensive experience in working with African companies. He has already achieved great growth and success, and has a proven track record of success in the tasks that he has undertaken. At the start of his career, Mr. Rodrigues noted that Africa was technologically behind the rest of the world. Now, companies such as Mota-Engil have begun to take notice of the continuing changes within the continent and are investing heavily in its developing nations. This being the case, professionals with established histories working with African companies are in high demand, and Mr. Rodrigues eagerly puts his years of experience to work for Mota-Engil.

To achieve consistent success in an ever-changing market, Mr. Rodrigues adopts a policy of continuous evolution to meet consumer needs. Never one to rest upon his laurels, Mr. Rodrigues reinvents his business on a regular basis, bringing new concepts and ideas to life. Using this technique, he hopes to double the business of Mota-Engil by 2017 and achieve a greater market share, becoming a world-recognized brand.

Throughout his career, Mr. Rodrigues has found that the most difficult aspect of business is combating people’s preconceived notions about his company. Success, he feels, is achieved when he is able to break through these perceptions with proven results and eventually establish himself to the point where the company’s reputation is sterling and unquestioned by clients.

Looking ahead, Mr. Rodrigues’ long-term plans see him becoming a mentor to help the next generation of professionals. He would also like to pass on his values and shape others to be difference makers. “I have 15,300 people working for me,” says Mr. Rodrigues, “and I have changed each of their lives, as well as the lives of their families and their communities.” He hopes that other young professionals will take on leadership roles and change their communities for the better. Continue reading →

Maria-Elena Ochoa, MBA

October 6, 2016 / Marquis Who's Who / Leave a comment

Chief Executive Officer
MEO & Associates
Apache Junction, AZ, United States
MEOchoa@cox.net
Industry: Nonprofit
Field: Health Services

With nearly 40 years of experience in the health care sector, Maria-Elena Ochoa, MBA is a pioneer in mental health and substance abuse services. As the chief executive officer of MEO & Associates, she focuses the nonprofit work on assisting underserved communities. Her daily responsibilities include integrating primary care into behavioral mental health substance abuse services, facilitating collaboration among state agencies and community-based organizations, negotiating contracts, and representing the governor at community events and presentations. She also oversees the division for women in The Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families, where she coordinates and staffs the governor’s commission to prevent violence against women, grants management and statewide outreach.

Ms. Ochoa laid the foundation for her successful career by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University. Subsequently, she received an MBA in health care administration from the University of Phoenix. “I became involved in my profession because I wanted to make a difference for underserved populations on a statewide level,” she states.

As the recipient of the Gamma Alpha Omega Latina Excellence Award for Science and Medicine, Ms. Ochoa has undoubtedly cemented a strong presence in the field. She believes she has found success throughout her career due to her genuine passion for assisting others. Additionally, she relies on a strong work ethic, education and resilience to establish long-lasting relationships with those in her field. “There are a lot of people who always think inside the box. I am very much the opposite; I’m always an outside of the box person,” she states.

Though now a successful CEO of her own company, Ms. Ochoa has a stable background of successful experiences. She was part of the executive leadership team at Valle Del Sol from 2003 to 2007. Starting off as the vice president of prevention and family services, she was later promoted to chief operating officer. In addition, she worked at Marc Center for more than 24 years, where she served as the director of behavioral health services.

Wholeheartedly dedicated to her community, Ms. Ochoa spends her spare time with various charitable organizations. She is affiliated with the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, the Arizona Women’s Heritage Trail and the Arizona Council of Human Service Providers, among many others. Continue reading →

Marilyn A. Bennett, MA, MS, Ed.D.

June 27, 2016June 27, 2016 / Marquis Who's Who / Leave a comment

Owner, Consultant
Next Step Global Consulting
Arcata, CA, USA
gmclyn@gmail.com
Industry: Business Services
Field: Educational Consulting

When looking up the word “diverse” in the dictionary, it’s easy to envision the name Marilyn A. Bennett front and center. With expertise in education, mediation, and community learning, Dr. Bennett has been going strong in her career for nearly four decades. During this time, she has traveled extensively to different places, and while her interaction with different cultures has undoubtedly made her a better educator, she believes that her experiences have also made her a better person. As the owner of Next Step Global Consulting, providing consulting services for recreation, disaster preparedness, life coaching, and organizational leadership for parents and children, Dr. Bennett wears a variety of hats. She draws upon her broad-based research and development skills as she works with county officers, teaches special education, organizes physical education programs for children, and oversees the development of manuals.

In her position of overseeing Next Step Global Consulting, Dr. Bennett feels the most satisfaction when she is working with students and helping to solve their problems. When embarking on the journey that has landed her where she is today, Dr. Bennett became a persistent seeker of higher education. In 1973, she earned a bachelor’s degree in health, recreation and physical education, and motor development from Humboldt State University, which she followed three short years later with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the same institution. Additionally, Dr. Bennett holds a master’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in kinesiology, both from Humboldt State University, along with a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne. A licensed counseling psychologist, she also earned certification in preschool, elementary and secondary education teaching in 1974 and became a certified mediator in 1998.

Dr. Bennett volunteers her time to several nonprofit organizations, including a local blood bank, The American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Special Olympics. She also serves as a facilitator at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, Calif. In recognition of her services, she was named Volunteer of the Year by the American Heart Association in1998 and was given the Eudora Welty Memorial Award by The American Red Cross in 2003. A member of IBC and ABI, she feels fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as an Ambassador Representative of the United States for the World Forum, a gathering she looks forward to attending each year. As the years progress, Dr. Bennett hopes to continue providing consulting services and making presentations on mediation. Continue reading →

Saundra Paschal

June 27, 2016 / Marquis Who's Who / Leave a comment

Mathematics Teacher
Lake View High School
San Angelo Independent School District
San Angelo, TX, USA
saundra.paschal@saisd.org
Industry: Education
Field: Algebra and Precalculus Education

As a mathematics teacher at Lake View High School, Saundra Paschal spends her career working with America’s youth to develop their skill with numbers. As a specialist in algebra and pre-calculus, she develops comprehensive lesson plans designed to prepare students for standardized testing and provide them with mathematical skills that see use on a daily basis outside of the classroom. Too often, students are disillusioned with the role that mathematics plays in the world around us. As a result, these students tend to gravitate away from studying the field when given the choice of electives. Ms. Paschal believes this has led to an overall lessening of mathematics skills among high school and college students compared to years past. “Part of the challenge of being an educator in modern times is working to correct this problem and get students back on track,” she says.

The most satisfying aspect of Ms. Paschal’s career is seeing that students truly understand the concepts that she puts forth. This is common to many teachers, who feel a deep sense of gratification at seeing their students succeed. What sets her apart is her great passion for her work, as well as her exemplary work ethic. Such is her commitment that she was able to fulfill her calling even during one of the most difficult periods of her life. Following the deaths of both her parents within a period of one year, Ms. Paschal was asked by one of her former students to teach a calculus class. Rising above her personal grief, Ms. Paschal was able to pull through for her students and teach the class, showing remarkable resilience in the face of tragedy.

When asked about what advice she would pass on to future educators, Ms. Paschal recommends the following: “Be patient with yourself, students and administration. Be flexible and accept constructive criticism.” Though it may be tedious at times to deal with red tape and regulations, Ms. Paschal believes that the struggle is worth it to see her students gain valuable skills and achieve success. Continue reading →

Ozzie Areu

June 7, 2016 / Marquis Who's Who / 7 Comments

President, Executive Producer
Atlanta, GA, USA
ozzie@tylerperrystudios.com
Industry: Media/Entertainment
Field: TV and Film Production

As a highly acclaimed professional in media and entertainment, Ozzie Areu has achieved success as the president of Tyler Perry Studios. In his roles as president and executive producer, Mr. Areu is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations of the company. His daily responsibilities also include working with crews, TV & film producers and talent managers, as well as managing all facets of the studio, including feature films, television shows and stage play productions. Throughout all of his professional endeavors, Mr. Areu maintains the Tyler Perry Studios vision: “A Place Where Even Dreams Believe,” intertwining worlds through storytelling and family-friendly entertainment while inspiring audiences with real life and thought-provoking issues.

Impressively, in addition to serving as the president of Tyler Perry Studios, Mr. Areu has produced numerous films and hit television shows for Tyler Perry. These films include, “For Colored Girls,” “Madea’s Big Happy Family,” “Good Deeds,” “Madea’s Witness Protection,” “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor,” “Peeples,” “Single Mom’s Club,” and “A Madea Christmas.” In addition, Mr. Areu executive produced the production of “Madea’s Tough Love,” which is his first foray into animated films.

Mr. Areu’s past credits in entertainment also include his role as an executive producer for numerous television shows for Mr. Perry, including, “Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse,” “Meet the Browns,” “The Tyler Perry Show,” and “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.” Currently, Mr. Areu is producing two dramatic series, titled “The Haves and the Have Nots,” and “If Loving You is Wrong,” as well as a situational comedy, “Love Thy Neighbor,” which all air on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Mr. Areu began his extensive career in 1995, when he started working at Warner Bros. In this capacity, he worked for Bright Kauffman Crane Productions on the sets of NBC Universal’s hit series, “Veronica’s Closet,” “Jessie,” and the Emmy Award-winning “Friends.” He was then provided with the opportunity of assisting actors Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt for five years during their work on such films as “Ocean’s Eleven,” and “The Good Girl.” After, Mr. Areu worked with Ellen DeGeneres before joining Tyler Perry Studios in 2006. He progressed to the role of president just two years later, in 2008.

Throughout the course of his remarkable career, Mr. Areu’s work has been consistently recognized for excellence. In 2012 and 2013, “House of Payne” received four NAACP Image Awards, including Best Comedy Series. Notably, “For Colored Girls” was named Best Picture at the 2011 BET Awards. Most recently, Mr. Areu received the Georgia Entertainment Gala’s Georgia Highlight Award, in recognition of his service to entertainment.

Featured by Variety Media, LLC, as the “right-hand man inside Perry’s empire,” Mr. Areu has produced a total of nine Perry films and currently oversees 300 employees within the studio, which spans 60 acres. Additionally, he manages 34^th Street Films, a film development and production company, also owned by Mr. Perry. A true asset to Mr. Perry and the studio as a whole, Mr. Areu aspires to continue to grow the company & brand on his behalf, creating intriguing family-friendly content. Continue reading →

Drina L. McCorkle, Broker, CRS

April 20, 2016 / Marquis Who's Who / Leave a comment

Certified Residential Specialist, Broker
John L. Scott, Anacortes
Anacortes, WA, USA
http://www.drinamccorkle.com
Industry: Real Estate
Field: Luxury Real Estate

As a certified residential specialist and broker of John L. Scott, Anacortes, Drina L. McCorkle has 29 years of real estate experience. Possessing a strong work ethic, Ms. McCorkle’s day begins at 7:30 a.m. every day, and ends when business is concluded, regardless of the hour. At the beginning of the real estate sale process, clients usually ask Ms. McCorkle what the value of their home is. She gathers the necessary data and gives clients a reasonable estimate of what they should expect to be offered. From there, she either continues with the sale process as per the clients’ preferences, or recommends that the client not sell at that particular time. She feels that honesty is truly the best policy, and she does her best to ensure that clients get the most value for their homes, even if it means they must sell at a different time than they had expected.

Ms. McCorkle considers the most rewarding aspect of her career to be the appreciation that clients show for her work. As an example, she recalls a house that was owned by an older couple, and after selling the house for them, she was able to take the original owners back to their former home later on to see how it looked renovated. The thrill that they experienced when they saw their home remains with Ms. McCorkle to this day.

When asked about her mentors, Ms. McCorkle recalls Jim Colley, with whom she worked for six months. In their time together, Jim taught Ms. McCorkle that one can ever know everything, and she has always kept that in her mind. Jim taught her everything that she knows. Looking ahead, Ms. McCorkle plans to work for another three years until her adopted grandson graduates from high school. From there, she plans to continue working, as she has a great passion for real estate, and loves what she does. Continue reading →

Linda LaRue Austin

April 20, 2016 / Marquis Who's Who / Leave a comment

Fort Worth, TX, USA
Industry: Arts
Field: Freelance Writing

Linda LaRue Austin was always encouraged to pursue a career in writing. The daughter of quiet farmers, she took to reading early in life, a pastime easily enjoyed living in a serene and peaceful environment. Her paternal grandmother was a schoolteacher, so books were never hard to come by, and her interest in writing only increased as the years progressed. As a high school student, she was encouraged further by one of her English teachers, Thelma Newby, who praised her writing abilities.

In 1967, Ms. Austin completed a bachelor’s degree in theology and Christian education, with a minor in drama, at Northwest Christian College, an institution to which she received a scholarship. She became an ordained pastor in 1970, and earned a Master of Religious Studies from Lexington Theological Seminary the same year. She has since fulfilled her desire to serve as a minister through Stephen Ministries and the Disciples of Christ Church.

Ms. Austin is an honored member of Fort Worth Writers, and maintains affiliations with the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. and the Romance Writers of America. She is also a former member of the W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research, and considers herself to be an expert in various subjects, including several areas of history, archery and photography. She credits her successful career to having good friends, good fortune, a loving God, and being persistent.

Now retired from her career as a writing instructor and educator, Ms. Austin currently works as a freelance writer. She has produced several manuscripts, and her fantasy novel, “Midnight Amethyst,” is nearly complete. “You have to learn your craft,” she says. “If you know the craft, there’s just about anything you can do with it.” With that in mind, she intends to continue growing personally and professionally in the future. Continue reading →

Susan R. Kelley

April 20, 2016 / Marquis Who's Who / 2 Comments

Senior Engineer
Mechanical Integrity group
U.S. Operations division
Praxair, Inc.
Tonawanda, NY, USA
Industry: Manufacturing
Field: Equipment Design and Selection

Susan R. Kelley was born in Florida and grew up in North and South Georgia, finally settling into the Atlanta suburban area when she reached her teens. As a youth, Ms. Kelley always enjoyed her science classes, and in high school, she discovered a love of chemistry, but did not have much affection for labs and lab reports. When a family friend mentioned that engineering was a real-world application of science, she was intrigued and applied to Georgia Institute of Technology as a chemical engineering student. Graduating in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Ms. Kelley went on to gain 22 years of experience in her field. She currently serves as a senior engineer for the Mechanical Integrity group in the U.S. Operations division of the industrial gas and technology company, Praxair, Inc.

Ms. Kelley joined Praxair in 1992 as an operations management trainee in the Theodore, Ala., facility. She was promoted to plant engineer in 1993, and became responsible for handling small projects and day-to-day operations of the facility. She also helped to implement the ISO 9000 quality system at several facilities. In 1996, she was transferred to Praxair’s central engineering office in Tonawanda, N.Y., where she began specifying equipment for new cryogenic production facilities of various sizes. After several years, she was shifted from project work to revising global equipment standards, and, in 2001, she rejoined the U.S. operations team as a cost reduction engineer. In this role, she estimated, solicited funds for, and executed projects of varying complexity to reduce production costs, primarily focusing on reduced power consumption and increased equipment reliability. She also provided non-project technical support for the production facilities. After 10 years in that position, she transferred to her current position as a member of the mechanical integrity team.

Ms. Kelley has honed her expertise in equipment design and selection, and for the past three years, she has been involved with the Mechanical Integrity program for Praxair’s Process Safety Management (PSM) locations. She provides technical assistance to operating facilities and works in the division focusing on the refinement of atmospheric gases and CO₂. She also audits information for existing locations and closes gaps where necessary. She remains current with trends in her field through her affiliation with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Giving back to the community is important to Ms. Kelley, so she volunteers as a cantor and choir member at her church. She also participates in a local bicycle ride for charity, called Ride For Roswell, and contributes monetarily to many charitable organizations. Additionally, she previously participated in a visiting scientist program for a local elementary school that was sponsored by Praxair. She attributes her success to having good mentors and good problem solving skills. As her career progresses, Ms. Kelley intends to continue learning new skills and broadening her existing skills. Continue reading →

Top 101 Industry Experts

Insights and ideas to inspire you.