It was Kevin's "personal energy field" that I first found compelling. My original Vistage peer group was breaking up due to the departure of the coach and I had to quickly make up my mind between invitations to join another group.
Kevin impressed me with his focus, drive, ability to relate and it was actually a clear cut decision to accept his invitation. Now several months into my membership in one of his two groups, my decision has only been reinforced as being correct. Kevin is precise, dynamic, exacting yet compassionate. He has high expectations of accountability, and yet his high emotional intelligence quotient allows him to key in quickly to what's going on with an individual and/or to the dynamic of his group--and he always leaves room for a departure from the planned trajectory of events when necessary.
Every 1-to-1 engagement I've had with Kevin leads to some kind of breakthrough in thinking, either personally or professionally. He has a laser-beam style of questioning that helps you as a leader really get down to "the real issue" with which you're wrestling--even if you came through the door thinking something entirely different was your challenge. Kevin wraps up every encounter with an action plan: "What are you going to do? By when will you do it? What are the steps to your goal?" I really welcome this concrete and logistical approach. Kevin's guidance and assistance toward "getting to the better me", both personally and professionally, have already made an immeasurable difference to my quality of worklife.
Caryn G. Mathes
Kevin found me in a ready state for Vistage and I am glad he did. If you are as well he will find you and it will just feel right. Kevin brings real world experiences to the chair role, cares deeply about the groups he puts together and knows how to move us all forward, together. Personal health and growth is as important to Kevin as the professional realm and that has made me a better CEO and person. He is always pushing the team to dive into our real issues and brings speakers in for exactly who we are and where we need to go - thank you Kevin for being a powerful Vistage chair!
Abani Heller
Kevin possess a rare combination of down to earth advice combined with strategic vision. He has a passion about helping those around him be better in their lives and businesses. His focus on growth for people and organizations is key to driving all those around him. He has helped me focus on the right goals for the business and be more strategic minded.
As a Vistage chair Kevin has collected an amazing group of individuals, speakers, and organizations that I am proud to be a part of. The team he has assembled each bring a unique prospective that I have greatly benefited from. I recommend him to all those looking to grow themselves and their companies.
Adam Cecchetti
I'm fairly new to Kevin and the Vistage Program but I have to say that both have had in immediate impact on myself as a person and a professional. Kevin is very dedicated to the success of the group and to my personal development. He is a good listener and gives sound and logical advise. I admire the group and the dynamics of our group that he has built. Every individual is dedicated and truly cares about the team. I highly recommend working with Kevin.
Richard Romero
From our initial meeting, Kevin has challenged me to be better CEO and person. Nothing resonated with me as much as the fact that I spent my recent years “working in my business, and not on it.” I had felt this way for some time, but had struggled to find the resources on a consistent basis to gain momentum in fulfilling my role as a CEO and I allowed this to spill over into my personal life as well.
Since joining Kevin’s Vistage group I’ve been able to focus more on our purpose and Strategic Plan rather than focusing on the day-to-day that can stunt growth and business goals. I’ve been in contact with great people since joining and none better than the peer advisory group that Kevin has assembled.
He has coordinated great speakers and incredible content, but most impressive is the manner in which Kevin has engaged our group both personally and professionally. We learn from one another, challenge each other and provide support when necessary and I have Kevin to thank for opening up new doors for me.
Zack Hill
Kevin McKeown is the perennial coach, leader, mentor and friendly challenger to great leaders and CEO's. Kevin's done an amazing job of recruiting the right CEO's to join his Vistage group, and has shown himself to be an expert facilitator, providing great value to each of the members of the group. I'm grateful for his persistence and guidance, as joining Vistage has been one of the best choices I've made for my business in recent past.
Kevin Gemeroy
With 5 years of experience as a Vistage member, I can confidently say that Kevin is an excellent chair. Having been so kindly invited to participate in one of his CE groups, I returned to Detroit having learned that in Seattle, Kevin runs things a little different. Sharing my experience has motivated my group to consider some of what I saw. Some examples of this are:
-Shared and assigned responsibility of members: Kevin's members volunteer at the start of the meeting to hold specific roles that enhance the meeting. These include things such as energize the group, record amazing quotes, remind or notice when the group needs a break. All of these things enhance overall engagement and therefore productivity.
-Accountability: Kevin's members volunteer to be an "accountability partner" and to follow up with a member who is working on a specific challenge. Upon completion of a discussion in Kevin's meeting, the member commits to 30 days actions and one of the other members commits to follow up direct. This slight bit of added accountability can go a long way.
-Efficient Issue Processing: Kevin is masterful at coming up with creative ways to process different types of issues. This keeps all members engaged and is super efficient.
As I told Kevin after the meeting, we Vistage folks love 0-5 scales....Kevin is a 5 in terms of leadership and facilitation and I highly recommend him as a chair, mentor or friend.
Michael Loria
Kevin is an incredible person. I was fortunate to be a small part on his journey to build his first group. There were many hurdles that were placed in front of him, including my inability to get to his event, due to Houston Floods. He showed remarkable calmness and focus, inspite of last minute debacles. I am really fortunate to have worked with him. I am positive that every member has seen multifold "Growth" , whatever that growth means to them. When I am a CEO, my first call to see if I can join a group...will be to Kevin.
MK- Murthy Kalkura
Kevin is a decisive and impactful influencer. His outgoing nature paired with his dedication for success, Kevin made our time together more enjoyable. He was consistent in executing requests, open to feedback, expressed his creative ideas, and shared his expertise as a Vistage Chair. Kevin is a true leader and is a valuable partner to have in any business endeavor.
Hannah Cates
Kevin invited me in to his Vistage groups to share my perspectives on "Intention to Action" for business leaders. I addressed CEO/business owner desires and goals and how those can systematically be transformed into strategy execution. Kevin provided great advice and coaching on providing maximum value to his group members. This helped me in understanding how to package and present the information. I recommend Kevin as a true pro in chairing his groups and in partnering with me as a professional advisor.
Doug Hall
Advisor. Coach. Strategist. Leader. These labels are often indiscriminately thrown around...or even self-ascribed. But Kevin has earned each one. My personal experience -- as a client, a collaborator and an observer of his work over time -- support this fact. His resume underscores his breadth of expertise. But beyond experience and knowledge, he brings strong character and an innate concern for others to every effort in which I've seen him engage. His counsel is thoughtful, and his voice is authentic. He is on my short list of personal and professional advisors, and I am pleased to recommend him, without reservation.
Eric Fletcher
Kevin is a great thought partner and business advisor. I appreciated his insight, commitment and energetic engagement during our work together.
Cynthia Pladziewicz
I learned a great deal from Kevin McKeown during my time as an Account Manager and continue to learn from him to this day. He approaches leadership, strategy, conflict, client relations and business development from multiple viewpoints and utilizes his emotional intelligence to the utmost.
He leads by empowering others and holding them to the highest standard with direct communication, gathering opinions and attaining buy-in from all levels of an organization, creates a focus around a shared mission, capitalizes on each person’s unique strengths and more all while challenging the status quo for the betterment of all. He has dogged determination and his capacity to lead with emotional intelligence in the workplace is something that I greatly admire as it’s often said, but rarely done.
Sarah D. Fischer
I was very lucky to have crossed paths with Kevin McKeown. During my time with him at Lexblog, he was nothing but an inspirational leader and great motivator. He empowers the people who work with him, helps you learn from your mistakes and always has your best interests in mind. You can’t help but look up to a person like that, and I consider him to be a great friend and mentor.
John McCallum
I have been fortunate to have been a hire by Kevin. Kevin holds a very high bar and level of prestige with his business and leadership acumen. Innovative technologies and cutting edge products is the area where Kevin thrives and has the ability to build teams and internal infrastructure operations to build companies to exceed in the market place and exceed revenue measures. Kevin’s ability to organize company structures and hire professionals that match “niche” A-player roles is invaluable to any business owner or established company looking to innovate!
Also, on a personal note Kevin has been a great mentor and has an open door policy to provide feedback and professional grooming. All around Kevin is an interesting person whom you can value to have a relationship with professionally and over time like I have for 17 years.
Ella Steere