George Ritcheske

Vita

 TrueLeaderCoach, Inc. 2002-Present
CoachWorks Leadership Group 1997-2001
HR Partners 1993-1998

Executive Coaching, Leadership Team Development, Strategic Plan Execution, Organization Development

George works with leaders to enhance individual, team and organizational effectiveness. His unique background in economics and organizational behavior, experience in public accounting firms addressing professional development, succession planning and merger integration regionally, and managing his own business, enable him to take concepts and ideas and translate them into practical actions for leaders. His usual coaching client is dealing with a change (new strategy, merger/acquisition, new leadership role, from functional to general management) and wants to achieve higher levels of effectiveness. George utilizes 360 degree processes, assessments, structured off-sites and facilitated problem resolution meetings with leadership groups to accelerate their growth into high performance teams. He partners with organizations to accelerate the execution of the strategic plan through organization-wide communication processes, significantly increasing the commitment of people at all levels to the strategic direction. George combines the wisdom of OD with a coach’s intuition to accelerate individual and corporate change while ensuring alignment of both with the strategic plan. Major projects include:

• Merger Integration/Strategic Plan Execution – three year project with the combined leadership team of publicly held real estate development/management company addressing company values, guiding principles, and strategic plan execution. Also coached top executives individually. 
   
• Strategic Plan Alignment – key member of consulting team for a three year large-scale change project for a financial services company. Included working with the top 150 executives of this international company. 
   
• OD/Executive Development – served as key consultant with company President following its acquisition by a high tech manufacturing company. He became a key player in the parent company while his team led explosive growth within the division.
  
  
• Leadership Development – selected by high tech manufacturer to facilitate advanced leadership workshops within the U.S. Add-on projects included facilitating offsites (including for the global manufacturing technology leadership team), presenting a coaching program in Taipei, Taiwan to representatives of company’s Asian/Pacific business units, and developing multiple courses, including “Leading Your Own Development” and a series on ethics, values, and guiding principles. 
   
• Establishing a Coaching Culture – engaged by international restaurant company COO to develop “Coaching Leaders”, a seminar for top operational leaders designed to incorporate the company’s leadership/operating models plus the corporate “How We Work Together” principles. Co-facilitated pilot program with COO.
  
  
• High Potential Development – engaged by U.S. division of international building supplies company to enhance the development process for 75 top managers to accelerate their progress from managing to leading. Project includes both individual coaching and workshop facilitation.

As HR Director:

Deloitte & Touche Dallas Group 1989-1993

Executive searched by Firm to move to Dallas to upgrade their field HR function. Immersed in merger integration for three years. Implemented an upward evaluation process for partners and managers. Created an employment network for alumni and clients.

Coopers & Lybrand Midwest Region 1975-1989

Reported directly to Regional Managing Partner.
Advanced to become the Regional HR Director in nine years and was the youngest in the firm. Unlike most HR professionals in public accounting, did not start in recruiting. Began as an assistant manager of professional development and succeeded boss, a partner in the firm, after just three and a half years. Functioned as internal consultant to 12 business units.

Education

George earned his B.A. in Economics in 1973 at Dartmouth College, where he also played varsity football, and graduated third in his MBA class in 1975 from the University of Michigan. His graduate studies emphasized Organizational Behavior and provided him with insight into the importance of corporate culture, succession planning, career paths, professional development, and reward structures for organizational effectiveness.

Professional and Community

George has been a member of professional associations at various times throughout his career including the International Coach Federation, Organization Development Network, National Speakers Association, Society for Human Resource Management, and American Society for Training and Development. He has been actively involved in community organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary International, and his school district’s Education Foundation.