Leadership Team

Norman Behar — CEO & Managing Director
Norman Behar is a proven sales leader with over 25 years of CEO and senior sales management experience. Previously, Norman served as President and CEO of Catapult, Inc., a leading provider of personal computer training services, where he oversaw the Company’s operations and managed its growth and expansion into more than 20 major markets across the United States. Under Norman’s leadership, revenues increased significantly and the company was sold to IBM. Earlier in his career, Norman was Senior Vice President of Corporate and Government Sales with Egghead Software. As founder of this business unit of Egghead Software, Norman built and managed a national direct sales organization responsible for over $300 million in annual revenues. Norman received his B.A. from the University of Washington, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.

David Jacoby — Managing Director
David Jacoby has extensive experience developing and implementing innovative sales training and sales leadership development solutions for clients. David is a thought leader in instructional design and the use of innovative technologies to deliver industry leading online sales training programs. Previously, David was a Principal at Linear Partners, a sales consulting firm focused on providing sales effectiveness and development solutions to emerging growth companies. In the past, David has served as Vice President of Business Affairs of Xylo, Inc., where he was responsible for the Company's business development, sales operations, legal affairs and financing activities. Before joining Xlyo, David was a corporate attorney with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where he practiced in the firm's mergers & acquisitions group. David received his J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and received his B.A. from the University of Washington, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Ray Makela – Managing Director
Ray Makela is a proven business and sales leader with over 20 years of management, consulting, and sales experience. Ray served as Chief Customer Officer (CCO) at Codesic Consulting where he was responsible for business development, managing customer relationships, and the development and implementation of Codesic's sales training initiatives. Prior to joining Codesic, Ray held management positions at Accenture and Claremont Technology Group were he was a management consultant and trainer in the Change Management practice. Ray also served as an officer in the United States Navy and an assistant Professor of Naval Science at University of Southern California. Ray earned his B.A in Speech Communications from the University of Washington and an M.P.A. in Public Administration and Information Systems Management from the University of Southern California.

Marlaina Capes — Director of Client Services
Marlaina brings over 20 years of passion and expertise helping organizations improve performance in the areas of sales skills and leadership development. Marlaina spent eight years with Microsoft, where she served as a Sales Trainer, Sales Training Manager, Program Manager and Instructional Designer. In addition, Marlaina delivered sales training to hundreds of Microsoft Solutions Providers. Marlaina also served as the Manager of Sales Development at GiftCertificates. com where she was responsible for the professional development of GiftCertificates. com’s account executives, inside sales team and account managers. As a principal of Sound Leadership, a leadership development firm, Marlaina has worked with thought leading clients including Amgen, ESCO Corporation, Microsoft, MicroTouch, MSNBC, Onyx Software, Primus Knowledge Systems, QAD Inc., Raymond Corporation, and The Effectiveness Institute.

Ellen Cressey — Director of Instructional Design & Development
Ellen Cressey has over 25 years of experience in instructional design, development and facilitation with sales and marketing professionals, technical staff and customer service representatives. During her extensive career in the technology industry she developed and taught a wide array of classes and seminars designed to enhance sales product knowledge, sales skills and effective communication. Ellen spent over 10 years in management roles with Microsoft, PacTel InfoSystems and Aldus Corporation. Prior to joining the Sales Readiness Group, Ellen helped create and served as founding board president for Eastside Prep - an innovative independent school serving grades 6-12 in Kirkland, Washington. Ellen graduated from San Diego State University with her B.A. in social sciences and her secondary education teaching certificate.

Debbi Conger - Instructional Design & Development Manager
Debbi Conger has over 25 years of experience in instructional design and development of customized training program for sales professionals, marketing organizations, and technical teams. Debbi spent over 12 years at Microsoft where she developed and taught a wide selection of courses covering product knowledge, partner programs, and selling skills. She also was responsible for Microsoft’s world-wide new hire sales onboarding program. Earlier in her career, Debbi worked as an account representative in Microsoft’s Federal Government sales organization. Debbi graduated from Florida State University with her M.S. in Education.

Steve Braverman - Director of Sales & Marketing Programs
Steve Braverman is a proven sales and marketing executive with more than ten years of combined experience in sales, account management, public relations, and marketing positions. He also has a strong educational background with five years of classroom instruction experience prior to pursuing a career in sales and marketing. Before joining SRG, Steve spent four years managing successful e-marketing projects and campaigns for NexCura, an online healthcare and patient education company whose clients included Fortune 500 companies such as Genentech and Novartis. Steve is passionate about working with clients to develop training solutions that align with their goals and produce sustainable results. Steve received his M.A. in Teaching from the University of Puget Sound, and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Washington.

Kim Wilcox - Training Operations Manager
Kim is a results-driven professional with over 20 years of Human Resources and project management experience. She is skilled at developing and executing targeted business initiatives that drive customer growth, achieve business/sales objectives, and enhance bottom-line profits. Kim worked for over 5 years at Microsoft, where she was a HR Manager, Recruiter and Project Manager. She currently manages training operations and client program implementations for SRG Kim graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Pat Hansen – Program Design Manager
Pat Hansen has over twenty years of experience with print and online brand development. She specializes in bringing clarity to complex information – using both logic and creativity. Pat was the founding President of the Seattle Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), and has taught graphic design at the University of Washington and Syracuse University. She served on the AIGA National Board of Directors and was selected by Graphic Design USA Magazine as one of the top 10 Women Designers in the United States. Pat earned her B.F.A. at the University of Washington, and then studied at the Kunst Gewerbeschule in Basel, Switzerland.

Aaron Weaver - Lead Designer
Aaron Weaver has over 20 years of experience in graphic communications – specializing in customized webinar and eLearning materials, interactive quizzes for LMS systems, print collateral and a variety of other online applications. During his career in the design industry he worked extensively with Microsoft, Halliburton, and on a PBS series with Julia Childs. Aaron attended the Art Institute of Houston.

Stuart Kaufman - Senior Sales Training Consultant
Stuart Kaufman has over 25 years of sales, sales management, facilitation, and coaching experience. He has a proven track record of helping clients achieve their growth objectives, and has overseen numerous training and leadership development initiatives. Stuart has extensive experience helping sale professionals improve presentation, negotiation, motivation, and project management skills. Stuart also has extensive experience in pharmaceutical and healthcare sales having previously worked for PacfiCare Health Systems, Group Health Cooperative, Hollister Inc., and Searle Pharmaceuticals. Stuart earned an MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management (honors), a Master of Science from Oregon State University, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota (honors).

Ed Manley – Senior Sales Training Consultant
Ed Manley has over 25 years of experience in instructional design, development and facilitation with sales and marketing professionals, customer service representatives and finance professionals. During his career in the technology industry he developed and taught a wide array of classes and seminars designed to enhance sales skills, management skills, effective communication and financial competencies. Ed spent over 10 years in education roles with Microsoft and PacTel InfoSystems. Earlier in his career, Ed was a sales representative for several Northwest regional and national high tech companies. Ed graduated from Illinois State University with his B.S. and M.S. in Special Education.

Cindy Swanson – Senior Sales Training Consultant
Cindy Swanson has over 25 years of experience in the training industry, including instructional design, facilitation and sales. Cindy has extensive experience working in the financial services arena and has developed and implemented training programs for companies such as Bank of America, Chase, Bank of the West, PNC, US Bank and Wells Fargo and Standard Insurance. Cindy also served as Director of Employee Development for KinderCare Learning Centers and Training Manager for Nike. Cindy graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida and is a Masters candidate with Fielding University in Santa Barbara, CA.

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