Ten years ago, I began a journey to help other CEOs and owners engage in a very unique community that would help them avoid some of the stupid (and expensive) mistakes I made and minefields I stepped in as a CEO. Part advisory
board. Part mastermind. Part band-of-brothers. Part leadership development. Part iron-sharpening-iron. A gritty-rat-pack of experienced, seasoned, fellow entrepreneurs who had each other’s back and best interest in mind and shared a
handful of key, core life-values.

What started as one team, one Growth Catalyst (what we call facilitators), and twelve CEOs and owners, is now 9 teams, 7 Growth Catalysts, 2 Regions (Kansas City and Denver/Front Range) and nearly 100 CEOs and Owners. It’s been quite a
ride.

Approximately six years ago, version 2.0 of this was launched…that being ACUMEN as we know it today. Cause for celebration (oh yeah!). So many great humans have been and become a part of what continues to grow and expand we certainly are grateful for the immense privilege we are granted by those we serve to help sharpen, inspire, and challenge them to grow and have an exponential impact!

A great quote from David Steindl-Rast that I have tucked away for easy and quick access in my journal is this…

“The root of joy is gratefulness… For it is not joy that makes
us grateful; it’s gratitude that makes us joyful.”

Let that sink and soak into your soul for a minute. GRATITUDE! Gratitude is the root of joy… not material possession; not wealth accumulation; not power and greed; not position, title or stature; not elaborate travel or vacationing; not all the
things that the world tells us to chase after that are fleeting and virtually impossible to ever attain. Rather, it’s gratitude.

And it’s with great gratitude that I also mentioned celebrating 10 years of serving alongside some of the region’s top entrepreneurs and business owners this past
decade. I’m blown away, flattered and grateful for the tremendous privilege to serve.

It’s also with genuine gratitude that I have had the good fortune of having a strong partnership. Dave Ramsey’s has a famous quote we love… “what ship always sinks? …A partnership.” I have my fair share of partnership scars as does
my business partner, Dan Cooper. Together we have tilled the soil of business owners, written a book, and expanded our reach. Not only have Dan and I developed an effective working relationship, but he has continued to demonstrate tremendous capacity and passion for the work we are engaged in.

To that end, it’s with great pleasure that I, and the rest of our Acumen organization, announce his transition to the role of CEO. This has been in the plans and in the works for months and months. It’s part of our natural succession
progression and frankly represents a deep source of gratitude for me personally. My role will continue as Founder & Chairman. I’ll be supporting Dan with continued insight, counsel, connection, and wisdom to our growing community
and expanding organization. I’ll also continue to lead one of our advisory teams and remain active in community events as well.

Please join me in welcoming Dan Cooper as CEO. I can think of no individual that is more capable of providing the passionate high-capacity leadership required to “sharpen, challenge and inspire entrepreneurs and business owners to a higher
standard of influence, impact, and performance!”