Here I am sitting in a recliner about 30 yards from the shoreline contemplating how I will spend my day. There are not many perks to being chapter advisor to a fraternity. Much time is spent helping the chapter set goals only to "set them aside" soon after the ink dries. And you are most needed when a member has done something stupid and he or the chapter is in seriously hot water. But today is different. Today I'm enjoying a beautiful sunrise as I wait for the American Leadership Academy to start their training.
The American Leadership Academy (ALA) is the brain child of two men, Jerry Nelson and Paul Wineman. Both are members of my national fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, and both are dedicated the to proposition that the future of America lies on the hands of our 18-21 year olds and someone needs to make sure they are prepared to lead us all forward.
Jerry has started over 40 companies in his life. Ticketmaster and Troon Golf may be the most notable. Four or five of those companies went bankrupt but the rest survived and made considerable money. One of my favorite "Jerry stories" is that he has built 132 golf courses in conjunction with such legends as Tom Weiskoff, and he HAS NEVER PLAYED GOLF!!
I first met Jerry about 14 years ago when he invited several of us to his house in Tahoe. We spent the weekend hearing about what it took to be successful in life and how to translate that message to today's youth. It was the first of two weekend sessions with Jerry and frankly, these weekends changed my life in a dramatic way. Jerry tends to do that to people, change their lives. He has had a profound impact on hundreds if not thousands of lives with his message of "Winners and Losers". An in your face presentation of the habits we all get into that lead us to success or failure in our lives. He is passionate about changing the world and puts his money where his mouth is, preaching to thousands of college students annually.
Paul Wineman is a saint. He was truly sent from God to be an angel to the students he meets. Paul is a former Army Colonel. He spent most of his life assigned to Lebanon, both in the military and as a civilian. He is devoted to change in the Middle East. So devoted in fact he was taken hostage in Lebanon and then returned after he was released. Paul talks to thousands about the Art of Negotiation. He is one of the world's authorities on the topic, serving now as a lead negotiator for Anheuser Busch and the American Dairy Council amongst others.
Paul and Jerry host six or eight weeks of the ALA in Cabo, Mexico. Jerry has a mansion on the beach where he hosts speakers and others like me who he invites to facilitate the program. Down the beach is a hotel where 150+ students are hosted each week during the spring breaks periods across the country.
The students get to stay for free, eat for free, but the must attend a 3 hour daily workshop, featuring guest speakers who have made and lost millions. They offer their secrets to success. Some speakers focus on life skills, some on setting big goals, some on how to find balance in your life. As for me, I get to sit back and listen and learn and enjoy life.
The students mostly listen intently. The majority come and take advantage of an amazing opportunity to network with an incredible group of speakers. Some just take in the night life in downtown Cabo and spend the three hours propped in place. And a few have life changing experiences, figuring out the first step to success and walk away with a plan to achieve it. I think Paul and Jerry live for those few. They have fun with the rest and do a great job of planting seeds that may or may not take root later, but it's the few who take root here they enjoy the most.
So I've got a full week. Great food, excellent company, beautiful accommodations and a good restful working vacation. Truly a perk worth having!
