Hailing from the quaint town of Holyoke in northern Minnesota, my formative years were spent in Wrenshall, Minnesota, where I completed my elementary and high school education. Growing up as a closeted gay kid in a rural community was traumatic, not because it was rural but because we did not have anyone around us that had compassion and understanding for gay people. It is with immense pride that I share that I am the first member of my family to not only attain an undergraduate degree but also to achieve a master's degree.Achieving a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Development from the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, was a great thrill.With over 25 years of experience in corporate America, I have had the privilege of working at or consulting with esteemed organizations, including The Pillsbury Company, Accenture, Perficient, Faegre Baker Daniels, LifeTouch, UCare, C4 Technical Services, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, General Mills, SC Johnson, Kohler, and U-Line.The inception of CoreTactic, my start-up, marked the beginning of an exciting entrepreneurial adventure. Starting with just two managing members, my startup has flourished and now boasts a team of sixteen experts individuals. CoreTactic is a personal and professional coaching organization committed to guiding clients through various life and career transitions. Our team comprises of expert life and career coaches, adept business strategy specialists, business psychologists, personal brand experts, and efficient placement services.  Read more about this authorRead less about this author