"The man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears."
- Michel De Montaigne
Your guide for your experience is someone who was once just like you: A professional who realized there was more to life – and decided to reach for it.
Today, that guide is a professional retreat facilitator, a corporate consultant or an executive coach skilled in experiential event facilitation.
Hand-selected from across the United States, each Associate is an entrepreneur, executive counselor or seasoned consultant. Each is skilled in presenting a compelling experience and eliciting the best the participants have to offer.
We are former members of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), and as such, we regularly team up to facilitate retreats for YPO Forums, World Presidents Organization (WPO) Forums and Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO) Forums, as well as spouse forums and other small groups.
Our skills reach beyond small group retreat facilitation. We offer life transformational retreats and follow-on coaching to individuals and couples who are navigating difficult transitions. We also work with organizations, like companies, non-profits and ministries, for example, that are seeking to bring greater authenticity and energy into their internal interactions, planning process and implementation of their missions.
In business and philanthropy, James A. "Al" Merritt has built a reputation as a successful entrepreneur, leader and facilitator.
Al graduated with a BA in Marketing from the University of Cincinnati in 1983, including business intern assignments in Denmark and Spain. After working in the U.S. and Latin America for Welch Allyn (a medical device manufacturer) he founded MD International Inc. (MDI) in 1987, based in Miami, Florida.
MDI soon became the leading manufacturers’ representative and independent distributor of medical equipment to doctor’s offices and hospitals in Latin America and the Caribbean, with distribution companies established throughout the region. As president and CEO of MDI, Al established lasting relationships with hundreds of business executives worldwide, from Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurial businesses.
Al and his team built MDI to a $50 million company with a strong branded reputation, unique in the medical device distribution business in Latin America. In 2009 he orchestrated a successful sale of MD to Welch Allyn. The management team recruited, trained and coached by Al continues to provide success to Welch Allyn.
Al is also active in the development of residential and commercial real estate in Cincinnati.
Al Merritt’s most important core value is mentoring. He has sponsored, organized, facilitated or served as a featured speaker at many business conferences and seminars both in the US and internationally, always eager to assist others in advancing their professional and personal development.
Whether using his gifts inside MDI or bringing them to the larger community, Al is recognized as an inspirational and motivating coach/ mentor who leads with a big heart from working with business leaders to startup expertise to young entrepreneurs as well as leading inner-city boys into primitive camping adventures.
Since 1996, Al has been an active member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) serving as an officer, champion, moderator and founding member of two new chapters. Al currently is a member of WPO. Al has been in his YPO Forum for 15 years. During this time, Al has participated in and facilitated numerous YPO and executive team retreats.
Al continues to hone his skills with professional training in workshops, seminars and university programs.
Al, and his wife, Patsy support several non-profit organizations, including: The Big City Mountaineers, YMCA, Camp Ernst Summer Camp Program, The Tribal Outreach Medical Association (TOMA) Foundation, The Boy Scouts of America and their own Port Antonio Project in Jamaica supporting the Methodist Church outreach in that community.
Al, Patsy and their three children live in Pinecrest, FL.