Meet Our Global Team
Brad Sugars - Chairman and Founder
Email BradBrad Sugars returned to the position of CEO for ActionCOACH in August 2007. As CEO, he is responsible for deciding the vision and strategy of ActionCOACH worldwide and setting the direction on how to get there. He is also responsible for the company’s culture – enrolling and inspiring the entire ActionCOACH team to live and abide by our 14 Points of Culture, an integral element that sets ActionCOACH apart and truly makes it the world's leading business coaching firm.
Regional CEO’S
Jodie Shaw - USA and Canada
Email JodieAs the CEO of USA and Canada, Jodie seeks to continually improve ActionCOACH's competitive position via the profitable marketing of the company’s products and services.
Prior to joining ActionCOACH, Jodie worked in both strategic and creative roles in direct marketing, advertising and management, and as a copywriter and journalist. She is currently pursuing her MBA through Open Learning Australia.
Vic Ciuffetelli - Asia Pacific
Email VicVic has over 21 years experience within every aspect of the franchising and licensing industry, from being a multi-site franchisee to franchise manager and global director of fast growing franchise networks. As the CEO of ActionCOACH Asia/Pacific region, Vic's wide range of experience, innate knowledge of franchising and how to grow a successful international business will boost the growth, expansion and success of ActionCOACH. Having spent over eight years within the coaching franchise industry, Vic has demonstrated his ability to grow franchises to massive worldwide success and he has experience selling into every continent in the world. Vic is passionate about Success ,Business and ongoing education and his passion is ……
Vic’s priority will be to continue the introduction of the ActionCOACH franchise into the fast growing economies of Asia. He will work closely with ActionCOACH Master Licensees to implement effective systems that will see them develop to their full potential and create their own massively successful business and team of coaches. The growth of the network within the region, will further increase the power of the brand and the ultimate success of everyone associated with it.
Dave Holland - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Email DaveDave’s early career involved playing with guns and rockets for the military, work as a professional drummer and helping build businesses for other people in sectors ranging from packaging and logistics to clothing and aviation. After starting his own business, Dave decided to become a Business Coach and soon become one of ActionCOACH’s top coaches in the region. Married to the girl he met at school, he has two inspiring sons – Jonathan and Richard. Dave’s friends and colleagues call him "Dutch."
Alejandro De Gyves - Joint Venture Partner - Latin America
Email AlejandroAlejandro is an experience business builder and Business Coach, with a range of corporate experience in the areas of process engineering, plant operation and technology commercialization.
After a 25 year career in Grupo Alfa, and after managing projects in countries including India, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany and Venezuela, Alejandro teamed up with ActionCOACH in 2000, and won the Master Franchise award in 2002 and again in 2006.
In addition, helped develop a coaching networking Mexico’s major cities, comprised of more than 60 franchisees. In 2008, he decided to expand ActionCOACH to the whole of Latin America, and in just a few months, made a presence in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela and Costa Rica.
Alejandro’s mission as a businessman is to make every business (both his and his clients’) a constant wealth generator and that supports its community … a vision supported by the ActionCOACH model and its practices
Administration
Jane Moharich - Personal Assistant Brad Sugars
Email JaneJane brings over 10 years experience in Event and Office Management, as well as being a qualified International Travel Consultant, coordinating the Regional and Global conferences for ActionCOACH. She is passionate about the role she plays in uniting teams from around the world at these events. Jane also supports ActionCOACH founder and CEO Brad Sugars as his personal assistant.
Jay Bevington – Human Resources/Office Manager of Global Office USA
Email JayJay Bevington joined with ActionCOACH in July 2008 as the Executive Administrative Assistant. In January 2009, she took on the role of Human Resources and Office Management for Global Office, where she oversees all areas of Administration including human resources, benefits and payroll.
Jay comes to ActionCOACH with over 10 years of administrative and marketing experience, including a production and product development positions with Mattel, Inc.
Christine Tometich – Front Desk Assistant
Email ChristineAs the Front Desk Assistant, Christine strives to provide an excellent first impression for ActionCOACH, coordinates the Global Office Discovery Day and assists all departments with various responsibilities.
Born and raised in Boone, Iowa. Christine ventured off to College at the University of South Carolina. She graduated with a degree in Sport and Entertainment Management. During her time as a Gamecock, she took on the exciting opportunities of internships with the Milwaukee Brewers, Major League Baseball team and the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
Christine’s family comes first and she loves to spend time in Iowa. Wherever she lives, she enjoys her free time participating in outdoor recreation and has a great passion for animals.
Danijela Jankovic - Sales Assistant
Email DanijelaDanijela Jankovic is Sales Assistant and also handles ML Compliance Reporting. Danijela primarily provides support to our CEO for USA and Canada, Jodie Shaw, while also assisting other CEOs in international (open country) sales tasks. Danijela’s additional role in overseeing Compliance Reporting means she maintains regular contact with our Master Licensees globally.
Danijela comes to ActionCOACH with more than a decade of experience in categories that include finance, HR and fundraising management.
Born and raised in Sarajevo, Danijela is bi-lingual, and also enjoys skiing, ice skating and writing.
Legal
Jason Cooksey - General Counsel
Email JasonJason is responsible for all legal aspects of the ActionCOACH’s operations throughout the world. This includes corporate legal strategy; legal compliance; protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights; maintenance of global registers and brand protection in each jurisdiction in which the company operates. He holds a double degree in Law and International Business, and he is also admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and High Court of Australia. Jason enjoys the challenges of working with the World’s Number #1 Business Coaching Firm, and is committed to expanding the company into new and emerging markets.
Laura Wilson - Paralegal
Email LauraLaura is a paralegal for ActionCOACH and has over nine years of franchise experience. Laura is responsible for assisting ActionCOACH’s General Counsel with all franchise and corporate matters including compliance issues, research, drafting and reviewing documents and maintaining corporate records.
Prior to ActionCOACH, Laura had 23 years of experience working for various corporations in franchising, corporate, contract administration and intellectual property. Laura received her paralegal certification in 1985 and is also a licensed Notary. She has been a resident of Las Vegas since 2004 and enjoys traveling and jazz.
Finance and Operations
Nick Gott - Management Accountant
Email NickNick Gott joined the ActionCOACH team in London, and relocated to the Las Vegas office in April 2007. In his role, he manages and oversees all international accounts and finances in the United Kingdom and Europe, including territories throughout the Asia Pacific region. He works closely with many of ActionCOACH’s Master Licensees and Business Coaches, most recently announced his engagement to be married this September.
Eveline Valle - Global Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
Email EvelineEveline specializes in global accounts payables and receivables ActionCOACH. Originally based in Jakarta, Indonesia, Eveline previously headed Finance and Accounting at a property management firm with holdings throughout the Asia Pacific region. A graduate of Atmajaya Catholic University in Jakarta, she has made Las Vegas her home since May of 2007. A world traveler, she resides with her husband and daughter, Caroline.
Robert Ramsland – North America Staff Accountant
Email RobertAs North America Staff Accountant, Robert is responsible for North American Accounts Receivables, Payables, Special show billing, and state tax returns. He also coordinates with outside accounting firms for ongoing projects, annual audits and tax issues, and brings more than twelve years of experience to the company in all levels of accounting.
Prior to joining ActionCOACH, he held multiple staff accountant and materials management positions with non-profits, trade show companies, state agencies, and most recently, a dot-com company. Robert holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from the College of Staten Island New York. He also served with the Unites States Army in a light infantry airborne unit for 22 years, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Special Forces officers’ course.
Information Technology
Gerard Portacio – Manager of IT and Systems
Email GerardAs Manager of IT and Systems, Gerard is responsible for managing the team that drives ActionCOACH’s internal and external systems.
Gerard has nearly a decade of experience in software development, systems and web design. Prior to joining the company, he worked as an IT consultant, specializing in providing technical and design solutions for companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, including Aetna, Chase Manhattan and BMW.
Sales and Marketing
Michael Kiick - Director of Franchise Development
Email MichaelMichael is currently Director of Franchise Development. He has spent the last thirty years growing franchise companies in the food, automotive, and service industries. Michael is also a past franchisee, so he understands both sides of franchise development. His primary area of discipline is building relationships with the franchise community. Michael has long been active with a variety of franchise consultants, and has for many years been part of the guest speaking program with the International Franchise Association (IFA).
Design
Michael Horvath - Copywriter
Email MichaelMichael Horvath has more than a decade of brand marketing experience on the corporate, public relations and advertising agency sides of the industry. He has led and helped build successful campaigns for hundreds of companies in a variety of categories, including Harrah’s, Gold’s Gym, Sprint PCS, Volkswagen and Chevrolet. He has also helped dozens of small businesses leverage modest budgets for great results based on the "big agency" strategies he implemented for them.
Geetika Sahni - Public Relations Coordinator
Email GeetikaAs the Public Relations Coordinator, Geetika pilots the Public Relations program for ActionCOACH, and helps with online content development. She is responsible for constantly producing news-worthy press releases and also works on some of the creative conceptualizing and copywriting aspects in the marketing department, including postcards, ecards and direct mail campaigns.
Prior to joining ActionCOACH, she was past PR and Content Manager for a Luxury condo-conversion company in Las Vegas, and also led the marketing and PR efforts for Gaylord India Restaurant. She started her career in the publishing industry with a fashion magazine as Senior Features Writer, and harbors a love for the written word.
She has successfully completed the coveted Honors program in Advertising and Sales Promotion from HR College of Commerce and Economics and holds a Masters Degree in Commerce from the University of Bombay.
Ron Mathewson - Web Developer/S.E.O.
Email RonAs a Web Developer, Ron is responsible for in-house coding and web development for the ActionCOACH and ActionMEMBERS web sites. Prior to ActionCOACH, Ron worked in similar positions at companies including Wynn Resorts, Shearson Home Loans, Purchase Pro.com and NEXX, and has a background in programming and graphic design. Ron holds a degree in communications electronics and a native of Buffalo, New York. His interests include psychology, math, quantum physics, electronics and technology.
Stephanie Sims - Content Writer.
Email Stephanie SimsStephanie Sims is the primary Content Writer for ActionCOACH. Not only does she help build ActionCOACH’s online presence through search engine optimization, her additional duties include updating and creating new website content, maintaining the company’s blogs and writing press releases and the community newsletters, ActionSTEPS and In2Action.
Prior to joining ActionCOACH, Stephanie was a Content Writer for Zappos.com, and she has freelanced for a number of websites and publications, including Time Out Chicago magazine, The Budget Fashionista and Vegas Chatter.
A native of Chicago, she is a Cubs fan and plays a self-described “mean” game of tennis.
Yvonne Hillier - Marketing Assistant
Email Yvonne HillierYvonne Hillier serves as a Marketing Assistant for ActionCOACH Global Marketing Department and support for the Global Marketing Team.
Yvonne comes to ActionCOACH with many years of experience in the hospitality industry. Most recently, she held positions at the Riviera Hotel & Casino where she was involved in advertising, special events, and property communications, along with supervision of all filming and still photography projects on the property.
When away from the office, she spends time with her family and enjoys trap shooting.
Training and Support
Sirena Gallios – Training and Operations Support Assistant
Email SirenaSirena Gallios started with ActionCOACH in December 2008 as the Front Office Assistant. In August 2009 she was promoted to Training and Operations Support Assistant. In her current role, she maintains MasterCOACH data, handles rebates/commission with key venders, organizes the recording and distribution of CD/Book of the month and sends out all feedback forms after training.
Prior to joining ActionCOACH Sirena was the Front Office Assistant for American Kiosk Management (Proactiv Solutions corporate office). Currently, she is working on her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services at University of Phoenix.