Deborah King, AICI CIP, CPC, CPECP
Founding Partner of Global PEC Academy

Deborah King is an internationally recognized civility and etiquette expert. She is founder and CEO of Final Touch, a company specializing in social behavior training since 1989. With nearly 40 years of experience, Deborah is a sought-after speaker, corporate trainer, consultant, television personality, and author. A civility pioneer, Deborah developed unique social behavior curriculum focused on relationship building that culminates in a single question: How do you want to be remembered?™

Deborah’s passion is to equip people from all walks of life with the skills necessary to cultivate social capital. Her clients confidently evaluate and respond to business and social environments—whether formal or informal—with grace and ease. Deborah designs and delivers courses on topics such as civility, etiquette, communication, personal branding, and impression management. Through customized programs, one-on-one consulting, and keynote speaking, Deborah partners with individuals and organizations across the country and around the world. Her classes instill confidence, enabling professionals to better represent themselves and their organizations.

Deborah was mentored by the legendary Letitia Baldrige, who was social secretary to the American ambassadors in Paris and Rome, and Chief of Staff for Jacqueline Kennedy. Deborah is a Certified Protocol, Etiquette and Civility Professional (CPECP), a Certified Professional Coach (CPC), and one of only 86 Certified Image Professionals in the world (AICI CIP).

As a Founding Director for the Institute of Image Training and Testing International (IITTI), Deborah partnered with six of the world’s top etiquette and image experts to create the first-ever global standardized certification on soft skills. Deborah also co-founded the Global Protocol, Etiquette & Civility Academy (GPEC), and is a Founding Member of the Association of Image Consultants International Civility Counts Project, which established May as Global Civility Awareness Month on Chase’s Calendar of Events.

Deborah is a reliable resource to the media, author of Modern Manners for Youth and More Than Lipstick, and a co-author of Image Power, Executive Etiquette Power, and The Power of Civility. Her speaking style is warm and engaging. Deborah’s clients describe her as a “dynamic” and “inspiring” speaker that has a “genuine desire to educate,” and whose knowledge “helps us all to remember [that] how we act and how we dress will leave a lasting impression with everyone we meet.”

A Seattle native, Deborah currently lives on a farm near Dallas, Texas with her husband. When she is not teaching, you can find Deborah cooking, traveling, and spending time with her granddaughters.

Colleen Rickenbacher, CMP, CSEP, CPC, CTA, CPECP

Founding Partner of Global PEC Academy

Colleen is the author of Be On Your Best Cultural Behavior, Be On Your Best Business Behavior, Be On Your Best Teenage Behavior and co-author of The Big Book of People Skills Games, that is now in two languages. Colleen has over 40 years in customer service and creating events which gives her the edge to understand your company and the business world. She started her own company in 2001 after 20 years with VisitDallas to focus on her presentations and writing.

Rickenbacher’s speaking engagements include a seminar for the Certified Meeting Professional program in Florence, Italy and Singapore, a guest lecture at Cornell University School for Hotel Administration in New York, and a customer service presentation to 150 government officials in Zimbabwe.

Rickenbacher has served on many Boards of Directors including the Events Industry Council, Meeting Professionals International, Religious Conference Management Association and both the Dallas Chapter and on the international board of The International Live Events Association and Meeting Professionals International.

Colleen has achieved numerous certifications and awards, but her highest achievement is the induction into the prestigious Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders. This award is considered the highest honor in all the hospitality industry. She was awarded the Meeting Professional International Rise Award for the top Meeting Industry Leadership award and one of the top 30 Dallas Women in Business Award from the Dallas Business Journal and top five Women in Tourism. She is also one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in the Meeting Industry by Meeting News Magazine, inducted into the Hall of Fame and awarded the Lifetime Achievement designation by Texas Meetings & Events magazine and the induction into the MPI Dallas/Fort Chapter Hall of Honor.

Colleen can also be seen and heard regularly on national radio and television including the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on CMT’s longest running reality show, “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.”

“Whether presented in person or in her new book, Colleen Rickenbacher’s message is universal. Her ideas are adaptable from an everyday business dinner to a meeting with a four-star general. Colleen’s material has been not only informative and educational for our cheerleaders but also fun! We love her enthusiasm and zeal for her topics and her interactive presentations."

~ Kelli McGonagill Finglass Director, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

Michael D. Lynn, CEM, CME, CMM, CMP, CPC, CPECP
Founding Partner of Global PEC Academy

Michael is an Award-Winning Exhibition & Event Director, Protocol & Etiquette Professional, Security Consultant / Trainer / Speaker and Author, Who Delivers a Mix of Entertaining and Inspirational Speeches that Ignite Personal and Professional Positivity.

Michael, is Co-Founder of Global Protocol, Etiquette & Civility Academy and Co-Founder of Professional Tradeshow Resources.

Michael is retired Corporate Director Exhibitions, Events, & Protocol for a major Defense Company where he was responsible for the development and coordination of over 100 yearly worldwide special events, security, risk and crisis management, tradeshow/exhibitions, meetings, conventions, and VIP/protocol functions.

Michael has over 30 years of industry experience and has travel to 150+ countries.

Known as “The Ambassador of Certifications” he currently holds Exhibition, Event and Protocol accreditations as a: CEM, CME, CMM, CMP, CPC, CPECP, and has held positions in over 12 professional and community associations and has served on the E2MA, IAEE, TSEA, CMP, Hero Portraits, Board of Directors and as Chair - International Center Exhibition & Event Marketing (ICEEM) board.

Retired from the United States Air Force where his distinguished 21 years military career was highlighted when honored to serve 10 years, flying the U.S. President, Vice President, Cabinet and Foreign Leaders.

Mike has qualified on seven different aircraft types, with over
12,000 hour’s flight time.

He is a Co-Author, of the Chapter on International Protocol for the Convention Industry Council (CIC) International Manual, 1st, 8th, and 9th Editions.

Michael was selected as a Consultant for the movie "Air Force One", with Harrison Ford.

He received dual Master’s degrees in Management and Science and his Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle University, Florida.

His numerous awards include:

• “Top 40 over 40” Event Professionals –
  Senior Professional Industry Network (SPIN)
  
• “Protocol Professional of the Year”
  Protocol Diplomancy International - Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA)
• “Exhibit Marketer/Manager Year” – EXPO Group & E2MA
• “Top 5 Exhibit & Event Managers Worldwide” – Exhibitor Magazine