ChairWaves

Working as a Vistage Chair can be a humbling experience. According to Cincinnati, Ohio Chair Peg Moertl, forming her Chief Executive (CE) group ranks only below child rearing on the difficulty scale. As a former CEO and longtime economic business development specialist, Peg was used to getting way more yeses than nos. But doing anything worthwhile means doing it right, and today Peg’s group has bonded together through their diversity–leaning on their differences to provide strength for each other and fill in the gaps. Her desire to put together a group of people that contribute to improving performance not only helps their businesses but their communities as a whole. Retired from corporate life after 45 years, you won’t catch her resting on her laurels. Besides chairing her CE group, Peg serves on three non-profit boards, and in her own words, likes to go “full tilt boogie” much of the time. 

If you would like to contact Peg, she can be reached through her Vistage email [email protected] or message her on LinkedIn. 

Colorado native Catherine Wicklund is the type of person that people want to know and work with. So it’s not surprising that several members of her Vistage group fly in from out-of-state every month to attend her meetings. Based in Colorado Springs, CO, Catherine is a veteran in the world of leadership development and executive coaching, having both the experience and the certifications to back it up. Not only do her members benefit from her knowledge in leadership development, but what they learn in the group becomes a “pay it forward” situation within their own companies. 

If you’d like to talk with Catherine, contact her by email, [email protected] 

Chuck Alvey is a man of many talents, from having a successful career in broadcast media that spanned three decades to saving lives as a part time EMT to being the CEO of a non profit organization focused on economic development. Despite that, he claims he still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. Luckily for Vistage, and the multiple groups that he chairs in the Reno, NV area, he is still trying to figure it out. Whether he’s working with CEOs, Advancing Leaders or anyone in between, Chuck sees a lot of commonalities between the groups and believes in “letting the group do the work”, affectionately referring to his members as his “co-chairs.” 

If you’d like to contact Chuck, the easiest way to reach him is through email at [email protected] or through text at 775-232-4825.

If knowledge is power then Ozzie Gontang is one powerful man. From the lessons of Socrates to modern Nobel Prize winners and everything in between, Ozzie — a peer group facilitator since 1986 — uses his knowledge to help others become better leaders and better human beings. No longer chairing groups of his own, he now is a leading resource for all Vistage Chairs who are looking to learn and grow in their own roles. A few gems from this week’s podcast include, “leading from the back of the room, not the front,” “hidden in the word listen is the word silent,” and a little something he likes to call “preferment.” Run, don’t walk, to this episode of ChairWaves! You’ll be glad you did. 

If you would like a chance to connect with Ozzie, you can reach out to him through email or his website.

Vistage members aren’t the only ones learning and growing from their time in peer groups. Some of the biggest changes happen with those leading the groups, that is, if they have the patience to stick it out. St. Louis, MO Chair, Jeff Hindman has been leading groups since 2009, and is the true definition of perseverance and determination. Starting his first group during the Great Recession was not ideal, but it didn’t stop Jeff, and both he and his members have thrived since then. Now leading four groups, Jeff says that what he’s learned from his members has made him a much better coach and leader. 

If you’d like to contact Jeff, you can reach out to him on LinkedIn–just don’t call him Jeffrey (a mistake I made right off the bat), or he might delete you as spam. Thanks Jeff for sticking it out with me for this episode of ChairWaves!

Let’s admit it, some of us are just inherently more interesting than the rest of us. Such is the case with my most recent guest on ChairWaves, former advertising and public relations professional, Artie Isaac. Besides the fact that he chairs the most diverse array of groups, from a Chief Executive Group, to a Small Business Group, to an Insidel Group, and several others, he is also a deep thinker, poet, and according to his website, an accomplished bowler as well. An individual with a unique style to chairing, Artie is doing exciting things with his groups in Central Ohio, and it was a pleasure to hear all that he has to say.

If you would like to connect with Artie, he invites you to visit his website, and “Ask Anything”.

Did you know that being part of a dynamic peer group can extend your life? Ok, it hasn’t been statistically proven, yet. But, according to longtime Vistage Chair, Norma Rosenberg, it certainly has had a positive impact on the quality of her life, leading to what she believes is a longer, healthier, happier life. Growing up in Baltimore, she had a front row seat to neighborhood and community integration and that inspired her to be a change agent for diversity among peer groups for business owners and CEOs. After 25 years as a Vistage Chair in New York, Norma says the best way to serve the members of her group is by listening–to hear the things that aren’t being said. She credits her success to bringing together leaders whose strengths are often different from each other so they can learn to see things from a different perspective–the things that aren’t usually seen in their normal environments. 

Get in touch with Norma on LinkedIn. 

Summer Dixon Goldman is doing big things in Louisville, KY with her newly minted Vistage Small Business Group. Don’t let the name “Small Business Group" fool you, her members are motivated entrepreneurs making waves in their respective industries. As a former CEO she understands how lonely it can be when you don’t have others around you who understand the challenges those in leadership positions face. Summer’s group, just formed in 2024, is off and running, and it’s a credit to her great passion for helping others. 

You can connect with Summer on LinkedIn.  

Brenda Lawrence knows what she’s doing. Not just because she has multiple coaching credentials and years of experience working both nationally and globally in service, but because she understands that helping others fulfil their potential as leaders is her true calling, her “why.” Brenda believes that the work she does with her Vistage groups empowers her members to create a strong foundation for both facing challenges and leaning in to new opportunities to grow their businesses. Her message to prospective additions to her groups…”If you’re on the fence, waiting, why not lean in? What if this is the best experience of your life?” 

If you have questions or would like to connect with Brenda, you can contact her via email at

A.R. Smith comes from a family of entrepreneurs. She understands what it takes for business owners to persevere, even in times of adversity. So it’s no surprise that she became a Vistage Chair in 2020, during the pandemic. As business owners were increasingly feeling isolated, A.R. sought to build a space for them to connect, and in some cases develop some of the best friendships of their lives. Her background as a founding member of a start-up bank in the early 2000s is a comfort to those in her group who are working through serious financial issues, and often a starting point for deeper conversations. A.R. is invested in the growth and overall success of her members–walking the journey with her members so they know that burdens are easier carried when you have a good support network. 

You can connect with A.R. on LinkedIn.