About This Event
About This Event
Your Business Success: Growth & Stability in Every Economy
***NEW Detroit Venue: Red Run Golf Club, Royal Oak***
For the 13th year, join us for a half-day event with an array of speakers, breakfast, meaningful networking, and dynamic discussion. Check out our full list of confirmed speakers below. Registration and hospitality open at 7:15 AM. Tickets available now!
Speakers:
Basil Denno, Founder/Executive Coach at Vertical Empowerment
Linda Kleist, Partner at Identity Creative
Chris Bihn, His Saving Grains
Chris Young, President at The Good Place Institute
Tim Morton, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Speaker Details:
Basil Denno, Founder/Executive Coach at Vertical Empowerment:
Basil Denno is a seasoned executive leadership coach with 23 years of Fortune 500 experience and a proven record of developing successful leaders. His career has been shaped by a deep, faith-centered approach to leadership, purpose, and service. Beginning as a Sales Representative with Novo Nordisk, Inc., Basil advanced through multiple leadership roles, including National Director of Sales for Canada. He later served as Area Vice President in the U.S., leading a 1,000-person division responsible for $2 billion in revenue—11% of Novo Nordisk’s global sales. Recognized for driving performance and cultivating strong organizational culture, Basil is known as an authentic, strategic leader who builds people, strengthens teams, and executes with excellence. His leadership is consistently grounded in values shaped by his faith.
Beyond the corporate arena, Basil serves as an Elder at Kensington Church. He previously directed the church’s Discipleship efforts and founded the Faith@Work initiative, equipping professionals to integrate faith and leadership in transformative ways. Whether in business or ministry, Basil is passionate about aligning values, purpose, and influence. He is known for building meaningful relationships and creating environments where individuals and teams thrive.
Born and raised in Detroit, Basil holds a B.A. in Communication from Wayne State University and an M.B.A. in Marketing from Michigan State University. He and his wife, Mervat, have been married since 1994 and have three daughters—Hannah, Grace, and Faith. They reside in Rochester Hills, MI, and enjoy traveling and the outdoors together.
In essence, Basil Denno is a leadership coach and community leader—equipped to help people grow, think, and lead beyond their roles to create lasting impact.
VerticalEmpowerment.com basil@vertical-empowerment.com
Chris Young, President of The Good Place Institute
Chris is a leader and innovator in faith-based organizational leadership, design, and development, serving as the President of The Good Place Institute (a Good Place Holdings company). He is also Chief Curator of the Good Place Operating System - the why, what, and how of building and stewarding Good Place organizations) and co-author of the book, The Good Place Organization: A Leader’s Guide to Stewarding Good Place Organizations. Chris has spent over twenty-five years researching and developing Biblically-based approaches, methods, and resources while leading and helping others build and steward for-profit and non-profit organizations where the organization thrives, individuals flourish, communities prosper, and the world becomes a better place, where organizations achieve success from a Biblical worldview through valuing and developing people, building up Good Places in the communities where we live and work, and being good stewards of our economic resources.
Throughout his career, Chris has served on senior leadership teams and in management leadership roles domestically and internationally, from start-up businesses and regional consulting firms to a $60 million service and manufacturing company and on boards of several non-profit organizations.
In addition to his most current roles, he has served in recent roles including:
· Director of Business Services of Good Place Holdings (leading Strategic Planning, Business Systems and Analytics, Human Resources, Information Technology, Talent Development teams)
· Director of Business Services of SD Myers (a 57-year-old electric power reliability services business)
· Director of The Myers Institute (internal and external training business)
· Director of Strategy and Systems
· Director of Strategic Solutions and Knowledge Services
· General Manager of SD Myers Morocco
Chris graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Canisius University in Buffalo, NY, and Cum Laude with a Master of Arts in Religion from Trinity International University (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) in Deerfield, IL.
Chris has also completed the following continuing education and certificate courses:
· MIT Executive Leadership Education – Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World
· Case Western Reserve University – Strategic Decision Making & Execution
· Case Western Reserve University – Creating Strategic Alliances
· Case Western Reserve University – Expanding the Total Corporate Contribution
· Case Western Reserve University – Innovation & Process Improvement
· He is certified several sales methodologies, negotiating for value, and sales coaching including Dimensions of Professional Selling and Coaching through Carew International
Chris has been married to his extraordinary wife, Erin, for over 26 years. They have two sons, Carson (22) and Tyler (20), and reside in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Chris has led a house church for over 6 years and has also served on several non-profit boards including private school, church, and city-movement organizations. He has also coached at the high school level for Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA) Boys Lacrosse and Boys Basketball, and guest teacher and advisor for CVCA School of Business and Entrepreneurship. Chris played Division 1 basketball at both The University of Akron and Canisius University on full athletic scholarships. In his college career, he was a GTE CoSIDA District 1 Academic All-American, Canisius College Presidential Student-Athlete of the Year, and on Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Academic Teams.
Tim Morton, Multi-Area Director Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Southeast Michigan
Tim Morton is the Multi-Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Southeast Michigan. FCA is the world's largest sports ministry. The mission of FCA is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. He has been full time with the ministry since November 2018. He and his staff of 12 currently serve over 50 collegiate, high school and middle school campuses. Before this, he was a teacher/coach at Avondale High School for 22 years. Tim is also a graduate of Avondale and that is where he met Vickie, his wife of 36 years. They have two daughters, Kaitlyn (Michael) and Lyndsay, and a goldendoodle Fern.
Chris Bihn: Founder, His Saving Grains
Chris taught for 28 years in public school and coached for 30 years.
His Saving Grains is a family business based on crushing grains instead of grinding. This process results in no shelf-life restrictions on the food product, so there is no need for preservatives or synthetics. The concept is based 100% God’s plan for nutrition instead of a man-made synthetic nutrition. Chris’ mission is to feed both people and animals, helping people see that God’s nutrition will help with many/most health issues, providing one answer to aid in the fight against Chronic Disease.
Chris has been married for 37 years and has 8 kids – 4 boys and 4 girls. Six are married, two are engaged. As of this writing, he has 20 grandchildren and three on the way!
This event is brought to you by these generous sponsors:
STRUCTURETEC | Building Envelope & Roof Consultant
About This Event
About This Event
Your Business Success: Growth & Stability in Every Economy
***NEW Detroit Venue: Red Run Golf Club, Royal Oak***
For the 13th year, join us for a half-day event with an array of speakers, breakfast, meaningful networking, and dynamic discussion. Check out our full list of confirmed speakers below. Registration and hospitality open at 7:15 AM. Tickets available now!
Speakers:
Basil Denno, Founder/Executive Coach at Vertical Empowerment
Linda Kleist, Partner at Identity Creative
Chris Bihn, His Saving Grains
Chris Young, President at The Good Place Institute
Tim Morton, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Speaker Details:
Basil Denno, Founder/Executive Coach at Vertical Empowerment:
Basil Denno is a seasoned executive leadership coach with 23 years of Fortune 500 experience and a proven record of developing successful leaders. His career has been shaped by a deep, faith-centered approach to leadership, purpose, and service. Beginning as a Sales Representative with Novo Nordisk, Inc., Basil advanced through multiple leadership roles, including National Director of Sales for Canada. He later served as Area Vice President in the U.S., leading a 1,000-person division responsible for $2 billion in revenue—11% of Novo Nordisk’s global sales. Recognized for driving performance and cultivating strong organizational culture, Basil is known as an authentic, strategic leader who builds people, strengthens teams, and executes with excellence. His leadership is consistently grounded in values shaped by his faith.
Beyond the corporate arena, Basil serves as an Elder at Kensington Church. He previously directed the church’s Discipleship efforts and founded the Faith@Work initiative, equipping professionals to integrate faith and leadership in transformative ways. Whether in business or ministry, Basil is passionate about aligning values, purpose, and influence. He is known for building meaningful relationships and creating environments where individuals and teams thrive.
Born and raised in Detroit, Basil holds a B.A. in Communication from Wayne State University and an M.B.A. in Marketing from Michigan State University. He and his wife, Mervat, have been married since 1994 and have three daughters—Hannah, Grace, and Faith. They reside in Rochester Hills, MI, and enjoy traveling and the outdoors together.
In essence, Basil Denno is a leadership coach and community leader—equipped to help people grow, think, and lead beyond their roles to create lasting impact.
VerticalEmpowerment.com basil@vertical-empowerment.com
Chris Young, President of The Good Place Institute
Chris is a leader and innovator in faith-based organizational leadership, design, and development, serving as the President of The Good Place Institute (a Good Place Holdings company). He is also Chief Curator of the Good Place Operating System - the why, what, and how of building and stewarding Good Place organizations) and co-author of the book, The Good Place Organization: A Leader’s Guide to Stewarding Good Place Organizations. Chris has spent over twenty-five years researching and developing Biblically-based approaches, methods, and resources while leading and helping others build and steward for-profit and non-profit organizations where the organization thrives, individuals flourish, communities prosper, and the world becomes a better place, where organizations achieve success from a Biblical worldview through valuing and developing people, building up Good Places in the communities where we live and work, and being good stewards of our economic resources.
Throughout his career, Chris has served on senior leadership teams and in management leadership roles domestically and internationally, from start-up businesses and regional consulting firms to a $60 million service and manufacturing company and on boards of several non-profit organizations.
In addition to his most current roles, he has served in recent roles including:
· Director of Business Services of Good Place Holdings (leading Strategic Planning, Business Systems and Analytics, Human Resources, Information Technology, Talent Development teams)
· Director of Business Services of SD Myers (a 57-year-old electric power reliability services business)
· Director of The Myers Institute (internal and external training business)
· Director of Strategy and Systems
· Director of Strategic Solutions and Knowledge Services
· General Manager of SD Myers Morocco
Chris graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Canisius University in Buffalo, NY, and Cum Laude with a Master of Arts in Religion from Trinity International University (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) in Deerfield, IL.
Chris has also completed the following continuing education and certificate courses:
· MIT Executive Leadership Education – Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World
· Case Western Reserve University – Strategic Decision Making & Execution
· Case Western Reserve University – Creating Strategic Alliances
· Case Western Reserve University – Expanding the Total Corporate Contribution
· Case Western Reserve University – Innovation & Process Improvement
· He is certified several sales methodologies, negotiating for value, and sales coaching including Dimensions of Professional Selling and Coaching through Carew International
Chris has been married to his extraordinary wife, Erin, for over 26 years. They have two sons, Carson (22) and Tyler (20), and reside in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Chris has led a house church for over 6 years and has also served on several non-profit boards including private school, church, and city-movement organizations. He has also coached at the high school level for Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA) Boys Lacrosse and Boys Basketball, and guest teacher and advisor for CVCA School of Business and Entrepreneurship. Chris played Division 1 basketball at both The University of Akron and Canisius University on full athletic scholarships. In his college career, he was a GTE CoSIDA District 1 Academic All-American, Canisius College Presidential Student-Athlete of the Year, and on Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Academic Teams.
Tim Morton, Multi-Area Director Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Southeast Michigan
Tim Morton is the Multi-Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Southeast Michigan. FCA is the world's largest sports ministry. The mission of FCA is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. He has been full time with the ministry since November 2018. He and his staff of 12 currently serve over 50 collegiate, high school and middle school campuses. Before this, he was a teacher/coach at Avondale High School for 22 years. Tim is also a graduate of Avondale and that is where he met Vickie, his wife of 36 years. They have two daughters, Kaitlyn (Michael) and Lyndsay, and a goldendoodle Fern.
Chris Bihn: Founder, His Saving Grains
Chris taught for 28 years in public school and coached for 30 years.
His Saving Grains is a family business based on crushing grains instead of grinding. This process results in no shelf-life restrictions on the food product, so there is no need for preservatives or synthetics. The concept is based 100% God’s plan for nutrition instead of a man-made synthetic nutrition. Chris’ mission is to feed both people and animals, helping people see that God’s nutrition will help with many/most health issues, providing one answer to aid in the fight against Chronic Disease.
Chris has been married for 37 years and has 8 kids – 4 boys and 4 girls. Six are married, two are engaged. As of this writing, he has 20 grandchildren and three on the way!
This event is brought to you by these generous sponsors:
STRUCTURETEC | Building Envelope & Roof Consultant