Daniel D. Vassel

The Vassel Consulting Group

An inspirational and motivational presenter, Daniel Vassel will help you maximize your leadership performance in both personal and professional environments. Captivating stories, practical applications, entertaining audience interaction, and nonstop energy will:

• ENCOURAGE you

• ENGAGE you

• ACTIVATE you

• INSPIRE you

Daniel Vassel’s highly effective programs on leadership, teambuilding, communication and motivation have received rave reviews from leaders and aspiring leaders in many walks of life. As a certified and accomplished facilitator, Daniel shares proven techniques from his many successful years in government, economic development and public service. He will motivate your group to not only learn, but also practice the leadership skills he teaches. From his workshops, you can expect to learn:

• Leadership skills

• Problem solving skills

• What everyone “really” wants

• Keys for staying motivated

• How to pull your team together and quickly reach your goals

• How to communicate with amazing results

His down-to-earth, practical approach to real, everyday issues is brought to life by practical applications and real-life examples.

As the featured speaker at hundreds of conferences, leadership seminars, and company meetings over the last 20 years, Daniel's customized presentations will always provide focus, action steps, and receive top ratings. He has spoken to groups from five to five hundred people and still renders the superior delivery and passion he has become known for.

Are you searching for an outstanding presenter or speaker? Then your search is over! Daniel Vassel will be well worth your time and resources.

Dr. Valerie Williams

Williams is a seasoned professional with a passion for advancing Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the state of Mississippi. As the Director of Career and Technical Education for the Mississippi Community College Board, she is at the forefront of shaping the future of career and technical education. Her role encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities, all geared towards enhancing the quality and accessibility of CTE programs. She orchestrates the coordination of postsecondary CTE initiatives, ensuring that all students have access to the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today's dynamic workforce.

Valeria's commitment to excellence extends to compliance and monitoring of programs, where she assists with programmatic and civil rights compliance reviews. Her dedication to maintaining high standards in education ensures that aspiring students receive topnotch training, ultimately benefiting the well-being of Mississippians. Her leadership, expertise, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of CTE programs contribute significantly to the growth and success of students and the state's workforce. Valeria is a true advocate for education that empowers individuals to achieve their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

Valeria holds a Bachelor's and Master of Business Administration degree from Delta State University, underpinning her strong foundation in business and management principles. Her educational journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development from the University of Southern Mississippi, reflecting her dedication to understanding and improving the human resources aspect of education.

Dr. Lisa Cooley

Lisa Cooley, MBA, Ph.D., is the Interim Assistant Dean and an Assistant Marketing Professor for the College of Business and Aviation at Delta State University. Cooley teaches the following:

• Social Media Marketing
• Sports Marketing
• Marketing Strategy

She has also taught many other marketing courses at DSU. Her primary areas of research include entrepreneurial ecosystems and confirmation bias. Cooley came to DSU after a nearly two-decade career in marketing and community development. She joined the DSU faculty part-time in 2013 and became a full-time faculty member in 2017. She serves as President of the Cleveland Development Foundation and the Operations Management and Entrepreneurship Association and serves on the Board of Directors for the Cleveland Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce.

Christie Sledge - Social Media

Christie Sledge an Instructor of Marketing for the College of Business and Aviation at Delta State University.

Sledge teaches the following:

• Marketing Principles
• International Marketing
• Retail Marketing 
• Many Management Courses

She came to DSU after a decade of working with industry while employed for Mississippi Development Authority, the Small Business Development Center, and BDO Seidman, LLP.  Sledge serves on the Board of Directors for the Cleveland Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce and several university committees.  

Dr. Latoya Sterling - Professional ethics

LaToya Rembert Sterling is a Curriculum Specialist at the Mississippi Community College Board. Dr. Sterling holds a Mississippi educator license as well as an administrator license. She previously held an NCCER Master Trainer certification. She has more than 18 years of experience in education. She has worked in curriculum in the K-12 sector as well as the community college sector for a combined twelve years. Currently, Dr. Sterling serves as the Assistant Director for Training and Professional Development for Career Technical Education. Beyond education, Dr. Sterling has worked in the business sector as a licensed insurance agent, policy analyst, and marketing specialist for two major insurance companies. 

 Dr. Sterling has served in serval educational capacities, which include, instructor, teacher mentor, academic strategist, after-school site coordinator, education consultant, curriculum team leader, and curriculum specialist. In these roles, she has been afforded the opportunity to provide her leadership skills to promote academic excellence in both academic and career and technical education. Dr. Sterling has had the opportunity to attend several leadership academies, which include the Mississippi Association of Educators Leadership Program, Mississippi Community College Board Leadership Academy and Mississippi Community College Board Leadership Academy.  

 Dr. Sterling has presented at local, state, and national conferences. Her research and presentations include Issues of Single Parents in the University Settings, Best Practices in Academic Advising, Best Practices in Teaching, Work Place Culture, Online versus Distance Learning, and Curriculum Design. Her most recent national presentation was in Orlando, FL at the National Career Pathways Conference where she discussed curriculum design. Dr. Sterling has published research additionally; she is the author of the children's book Jazz the Snazz illustrated by her then eleven-year-old daughter. 

 In Dr. Sterling’s leisure time, she enjoys her book club, spending time with her family and church family but her most prized time is spent enjoying her daughter, supporting, and volunteering in her daughter’s extra-curricular activities. 

Dr. Christa Wilhite - Social Media 

Christa Wilhite is the Instructional Design Specialist for the Division of eLearning and Instructional Technology at the Mississippi Community College Board.  She is a graduate of the University of Alabama and holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology.  Professionally, Dr. Wilhite is focused on integrating technology into instructional practices to create learning experiences that are cohesive and accessible across modes of delivery.  In her personal life, she enjoys applying learning and motivational constructs when working with dogs in a training environment, SCUBA, and being a foodie. 

Dr. Arianna Stokes - Interviewing Like a Pro

Arianna Stokes is the Professional Development Specialist for the Division of eLearning and Instructional Technology at the Mississippi Community College Board.  She is a two-time graduate of Jackson State University and holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education.  Professionally, Dr. Stokes is focused on technology enhanced learning environment, accessibility, and new and emerging trends in Higher Education. In her personal life, she enjoys traveling, fashion, and writing. 

Jeff Good - Keynote Speaker

Jeff Good is the owner of Mangia Bene Restaurant Management Group; comprised of BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar, Broad Street Baking Company, and Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint.

Jeff moved to Jackson from Salt Lake City, Utah in the summer of 1980. He completed his senior year of high school in Jackson Public Schools attending Murrah High School and then attended Millsaps College and graduated in May of 1986 with a degree in Business Administration. The summer after graduation, Jeff married his college sweetheart, Debbie McGregor, and started a career as a computer salesman for the NCR Corporation. In 1994, Jeff and Dan Blumenthal, his best friend from high school, opened their first restaurant, BRAVO!. In December 1998, they opened Broad Street, and in April 2007, Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint was opened. Collectively, the restaurants operate a full-service catering business, Mangia Bene Catering, with partnerships in dozens of venues throughout the Metro Jackson area. Sal & Mookie’s also has a licensed location in Madison Mississippi operated by two former employees.

In March 2023, Jeff bought out his former partner and is now the sole owner of BRAVO!, Broad Street & Sal & Mookie’s.

Jeff is a founding board member of the Refill Jackson Initiative; a non-profit workforce development program located on the Jackson State University Parkway. Refill Jackson’s mission is to empower young adults, ages 18 to 24, so that they are more confident, better equipped, and motivated to enter, navigate, and stay in the workforce.

Jeff's wife Debbie is a retired High School Latin teacher and is currently employed as the volunteer coordinator for the USA International Ballet Competition. Debbie and Jeff are proud parents of twin daughters, Alexandra (Alex) a 1st grade teacher in Tacoma Washington, and Caroline (Carly) who works in Human Resources with Atmos Energy in Flowood.