Product Manager
Several of my positions in Church employment included product management, which is the process of creating and managing products, including development, business justification, planning, verification, forecasting, pricing, product launch, and marketing of a product or products at all stages of the product lifecycle. Over the years, I went to several classes and seminars. On July 9, 2008, I sat for and passed the following accreditation exams from the Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM): Certified Product Manager and Certified Product Marketing Manager.
I was one of the founding members of the Church Product Management Association (CPMA), and internal office of best practices among Church employees. It began within Information and Communication Services (ICS), and in late 2007, we extended invitations to product managers in all departments. Because of other heavy assignments, I withdrew from the CPMA at the end of 2008.
Springs Leadership (1990–1995)
A coworker at the Church (Gregg Johnson from the Church Educational System) worked part-time for Rue Lawrence, president of Springs Development Systems, Inc. He introduced me to Rue, on Monday, July 16, 1990. I worked part-time for Springs until 1995 in the following two positions:
- Director of product development. I managed the editing, design, and printing of brochures, manuals, marketing materials, business cards, and letterhead. I developed a company logo and visual identity plan.
- Executive coach and leadership trainer. I consulted with CEOs, vice-presidents, and managers at several companies on leadership and management, including First Security Information Technology, Inc.; King Bee, Inc.; and Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.