Joint Annual Conference

Gutsy Leaders create Gutsy Teams that make Gutsy Moves. They’re proactive and create the future by summoning the courage to adapt and align. Drawing on her trailblazing career as a U.S. Marine combat helicopter pilot, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour unloads valuable lessons learned under the most stressful of circumstances ─ about leadership, teamwork, resilience, communication, execution, and building a culture of unshakable trust. Armour is America’s first Black female combat pilot; a former Marine and police officer, a business consultant and speaker, and the author of Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter. She helps individuals and organizations “Get Gutsy” and build a sustainable inner force and conviction that results in accomplishing significant goals.

Damon West

Damon West says, "The power to change is inside you." The world is a pot of boiling water; can you be the coffee bean? Discover what this means from West, an internationally known speaker, author, and former crime boss. He was a Division I quarterback when he suffered a career-ending injury and later became hooked on methamphetamines — and lives would forever be changed by the choices he made. During his incarceration, West had a spiritual awakening after a fateful discussion with a seasoned convict. He learned that he was capable of changing the environment around him, and West emerged from prison a changed man. On parole in Texas until 2073, his story is one of hope, redemption, grit, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Clint Swindall

Clint Swindall is an engagement specialist who helps people improve the way they lead themselves and those around them. He understands the critical role both leaders and employees play in building a culture of engagement, and how a focused effort by both can dramatically improve an organization. Swindall is President/CEO of Verbalocity, Inc., a personal development company with a focus on leadership enhancement. He travels the world speaking, entertaining, and inspiring on leadership development. Swindall is the author of three books on leadership and is founder and Chair of the First Chance Foundation, assisting abandoned, abused, and neglected children, and is Director Emeritus of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.