Management Team

Rich Ford, President

Prior to joining The Sage Group, Rich Ford was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a 600,000-member association representing small business. Prior to that, he was Chairman and CEO of Willis Administrative Services, a division of Willis, the world's third largest insurance brokerage firm. Ford was with Willis for more than 18 years and in the insurance industry for more than 30 years.

Ford received his B.A. at the University of Washington and M.B.A. studies at Seattle University. He is past chair of The United Way of Middle Tennessee, Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Leadership Nashville and the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. Ford is also a senior advisor with Galen Capital Group, LLC, a merchant banking firm serving middle market companies primarily in the healthcare industry.

Sandy Wilson - VP and CLO

Sandy Wilson has more than 20 years experience in the corporate education arena. She joined the Sage Group as Director of Product Development and assumed the additional role of Chief Learning Officer in December 2007. In her position Sandy guides the college credit review process of Sage Group courses through National PONSI, an educational advisory service. She also serves as relationship manager for the Sage Group with Nashville State Community College and has worked to develop a college degree pathway for Sage clients.

Prior to joining the Sage Group, Sandy served in a variety of positions in the corporate education field including Director of National Product Design and Development and VP of Client Services. Her contributions in these roles resulted in several awards, including the General Manager's Award for Excellence and the Pace Values Award.

Sandy holds a master's degree in English with an emphasis in analytical writing. She also has earned several professional development certifications including Certified Professional Development Trainer and Instructional Analysis and Design Certification.

Steve Collins - Managing Director

Steve has worked in the financial services industry in various sales and management positions. Steve currently oversees many of the operational details of The Sage Group. Steve holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration majoring in Finance.

SALES STAFF

Dave Grow

Dave retired from BellSouth in August 2003. His responsibility is the BellSouth/AT&T accounts in the Southeast and the Union liaison for the Sage Group.

Dave was a member of the IBEW Local 827 in NJ for eight years before transferring to BellSouth in 1976. He joined CWA Local 3802 and was a member there for twenty-seven years. Technical positions held by Dave include Service Tech. Outside Plant Tech. and Facility Tech. He was Vice President of Local 3802 for twelve years and President for seven. While President of Local 3802 Dave served four years on the BellSouth/AT&T Partnership Board representing the nine BellSouth/ AT&T states for CWA.

Tom Hardin

Tom has been in sales and management for over 25 years working with a broad range of clients throughout the U.S. in a variety of product and service industries including the apparel industry, the information technology field, restaurant and club management, and most recently, educational consulting. He is currently an Account Executive for The Sage Group. Tom works with CWA members employed by AT&T, Verizon, Windstream, and Centurytel throughout the Southwest region of the United States.

Herb Harlen

Herb spent 25 years with Hallmark Cards in various sales, training and sales management assignments. He spent 3 years as Regional Director at Jani King of Nashville, before joining the Sage Group. Herb covers Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Nebraska.

Jon Miller

Jon has worked in the education, training & development industry for over 25 years, including CWA District 7 locals in the west. He has consulted and taught inside both labor & management with clients like US West (now Qwest Communications), AT&T, United Airlines, Union Pacific Railroad, and many other major groups - in the USA and abroad. A Vietnam veteran and former Colorado Sheriff's deputy, Jon brings a wealth of unusual experience to help Sage Group clients with education coaching to build solid careers and financial success.

Katrina Nidiffer

Katrina has worked in Sales and Account Management roles in the financial services industry working with Banks, Trust Companies, and Investment Management firms throughout the northeast. Most recently, Katrina has served as an educational consultant for The Sage Group working with CWA and IBEW members primarily in the Northeast. Katrina has been successful in both fields because her strength lies in building relationships and understanding her clients to best meet their needs and provide the best possible service to help contribute to their personal and financial success. Katrina earned her BS in Marketing from the University of Tennessee.

Lisa Obiedo

Lisa has been in sales and marketing for over 23 years, fifteen of those years with AT&T. She has been with The Sage Group for over 8 years. She is responsible for managing the AT&T account for the State of California and Reno, Nevada areas. Lisa has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing.