About Our Principal Associates

 

We’re a team of experts specializing in:

• Business development, branding, marketing, and product positioning
• E-learning, classroom training design, and organizational improvement
• Coaching, group facilitation, and leadership development
• Web design, presentation design, and multimedia production
• System architecture and programming
• Project and administrative support

In addition to Adele Sommers, Ph.D., our core business development and online learning design experts include:

• Linda Waldon - Training management consultant and technology training trailblazer
• Tim Maxwell - Systems analyst, architect, and designer of open systems, Web, and mobile applications
• Christopher Dilts - Technological innovator, business consultant,
  and e-learning entrepreneur
• Lisa Lockhart - Strategic communications, branding, integrated marketing, and sales expert

Linda Waldon

With 20+ years of experience in the training industry, Linda thrives in forward-moving environments where she showcases her ability to transform problems into solutions and deliver excellent training.

Linda infuses every business atmosphere with her own commitment to personal and professional achievement, welcoming the opportunity to pioneer new capabilities.

For example, Linda's experiences include designing first-ever certification programs in fields that include speech recognition, Internet, IT, software, and green technology for companies such as:

• Nuance Communications, where she developed the first speech recognition training and certification program
• USWeb, where she developed the first Internet training and certification program
• Claris Corporation, where she launched the first FileMaker Developer Seminars, and
• TechRepublic, where she designed an e-learning campus for IT professionals

Linda has managed and personally performed every aspect of:

• Conducting needs assessments and task analyses
• Managing training staffs and outsource teams
• Directing training operations and managing budgets
• Cultivating partnerships and formulating business contracts, and
• Executing marketing programs

Tim Maxwell

Tim's 25-year background in software development, systems engineering, and database administration at companies such as GM Hughes, Lockheed-Martin, and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) provided countless reasons to embrace a philosophy of elegance, robustness, reliability, and maintainability.

Many of Tim's corporate projects involved company-wide, mission-critical, data-driven systems that operated on multiple platforms, such as Unix, Windows, and Macintosh. With core operations at stake, Tim continually emphasized the need for a systematic, risk-averse approach to designing, developing, testing, releasing, and maintaining complex applications.

Today, as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Business Performance Inc., Tim applies his "elegant-robust-reliable-maintainable" philosophy to all projects. He uses his well-honed skills in structured systems analysis, specification development, data modeling, architectural design (primarily using open systems), interface design, usability, and quality testing to achieve the best possible results.

Tim also specializes in iOS mobile app development, recently releasing an extensively researched tour of registered historic sites in San Luis Obispo County. The app is available through the iTunes AppStore.

Christopher Dilts

Christopher is a successful entrepreneur and innovator in the field of computer technology. His technology career began when he was recruited from computer science school for TRW's Space Systems Division. After founding four software companies, Christopher led them from start-ups to business ventures that were acquired or licensed by leading companies.

Christopher created more than 30 successful software products that were licensed or sold to major corporations such as IBM, Unisys and Motorola. He has also planned and led over 100 executive seminars co-sponsored by IBM and other Fortune 500 corporations.

Christopher has produced sophisticated data collection, analysis, reporting and data warehousing systems that work alongside their companion online communities. These systems have been used by clients including Harvard University, American Express, U.S. Treasury Department, Defense Logistics Agency, and the U.S. Army Chaplaincy Corps.

Christopher's consulting and technology systems clients also include IBM, Unisys, TRW, Kimberly-Clark, Johnson & Johnson, Eastman Kodak, Eli Lilly & Company, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. He combines visionary concepts with emerging technologies to meets the needs of the marketplace. Previous technology projects include:

• An Online Dispute Resolution System, recognized for excellence by Colin Rule, head of eBay's Trust and Safety Division
• An Online Trust Community, rated 4 stars for its many advantages over leading eLearning systems by Ted Williams, IBM Senior eLearning Officer
• Online Trust Platform, lauded for ease of use and delivery of phenomenal results and quality feedback by American Express.

Lisa Lockhart

Lisa is an award-winning brand strategist, writer and producer with over 25 years’ experience in broadcast and media communications. From strategic planning, creative design, and content development through production management and execution. Lisa’s background spans a wide array of media and services, including:

• Marketing Communications Consulting and Strategy
• Branding/Positioning Consulting and Strategy
• Integrated Advertising/Marketing Campaigns
• Film and Video Production
• Television and Radio Commercials
• Interactive Media
• Print Media
• Direct Marketing
• Executive Presentation Development
• Major Meeting Production

Starting her career as a writer/producer for Cox Broadcasting, Lisa quickly advanced to become the youngest professional in the company’s history to supervise in-house production for a major affiliate AM/FM TV station. She came to the Atlanta market as an independent writer/producer, working with a variety of production companies and Fortune 500 corporate clients, including The Coca-Cola Company, Kimberly-Clark, Delta Airlines, IBM and BellSouth Mobility.

In 1985, Lisa established Lockhart & Associates Creative Resources, later incorporated as Lockhart & Associates Media Productions, Inc. — a full-service company specializing in the strategic development and production of media and marketing communications.

In 2000, Lisa shifted the focus of Lockhart & Associates from advertising and marcom production to providing strategy, branding and creative services to corporations, non-profits and creative agencies.

Lisa now travels between offices on the East Coast and West Coast, providing services through Lockhart & Associates to a variety of corporations, agencies and non-profit clients.