Steve LeFever, Chairman and Founder

Steve LeFever, part comedian, part financial manager, former commercial banker, current entrepreneur - and 100% world-class presenter. Steve drives home his message with a no-nonsense, laugh-out-loud approach that makes him the top-rated presenter at virtually every conference he attends. 
 
Driving financial discipline and initiating change in diverse types of organizations (distribution networks, trade associations or franchise groups to name a few) can be a big challenge – and in this area, Steve LeFever can do it like no one else. The thousands who hear him speak every year applaud his distinct “tell it like it is” perspective on independent business, financial management, and commercial banking. But it’s his interaction and  connection with his audiences that brings his message home.

Whether your goal is to hit a ‘home run’ with a keynote convention presentation, to introduce BRS’ trademarked Fiscal Physical^® process to your network or inspire your corporate staff to build stronger relationships with your members or customers – Steve will do the job.

Carl Forssen, Senior Vice President

Carl Forssen is no ordinary instructor. Combining 21 years of commercial banking experience and 13 years at BRS, he brings an in-depth understanding of the financial challenges that confront business owners large and small. He attributes his past and current success to working side by side with the business community. 

A University of Washington graduate, Carl has instructed and advised small businesses through SBA classes, vocational-education institutions, and professional associations. He continues to lead the way at BRS in training new instructors and facilitating peer performance groups - in both live and online formats.

As Senior Vice President of Business Resource Services, Carl has been a featured speaker for clients such as: Ace Hardware, Anheuser-Busch, Bank of America, the Independent Electrical Contractors Association, Burger King Franchisee Association, FastSigns, Little Caesars Pizza, Kwik Kopy Printing, and numerous other franchises, trade organizations, and banks throughout North America, Australia and Great Britain. 

Rod Bristol, Vice President, Business Development

Rod Bristol is the Vice President of Business Development for Business Resource Services (BRS) headquartered in Seattle, WA. He was part of the development team that created BRS's Profit Mastery on DVD financial education curriculum, including editing the Facilitators Guide and Participants Guide and creating the teaching materials and methods for Facilitator Certification for utilization of the video-based curriculum. 

Rod is responsible for client development and the national expansion of the Profit Mastery on DVD financial performance training program and for Facilitator Certification training, both nationally and internationally. He has taught over 100 Certified Facilitators in 15 states and is actively involved in the expansion of the Profit Mastery on DVD program to Small Business Development Centers and other business networks throughout the country.

Rod has a BA from the University of Washington, studies towards a Masters in Christian Ministry and has participated in and taught numerous professional development programs in his 30-year business career. 

Prior to joining BRS, from 1984 to 2007, Rod owned Sudden Printing, the largest independent quick printing company in the state of Washington. At the peak of Sudden Printing’s expansion the company employed a staff of over 60, had sales of $5 million and served the greater Puget Sound area with offset printing and digital imaging services. Rod was very active in the National Association of Quick Printers for over 20 years and served in virtually every area of NAQP. He was awarded the Honorary Lifetime Member award in 2007.

In addition to his role as an Instructor at Business Resource Services, David is president of Edutainment LLC, a private organizational consulting and training firm based in Seattle, specializing in financial and sales management training. Prior to Edutainment, LLC, Ashcraft was managing director for a private consulting firm that assisted owners to prepare and proceed with the sale of their businesses.

Ashcraft has been a highly-rated faculty member at the Graduate School of Banking, Colorado and Southwestern Graduate School of Banking. He received his BA from Washington State University and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School where he later served as an associate director.

Among his satisfied clients are JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, Cal Portland, Cushman and Wakefield, and the Mechanical Contractors of Western Washington.

Louise Hurtubise, Associate Instructor

Louise Hurtubise has been a member of the BRS team since June 1994. She has translated and delivered BRS programs in the French language throughout Canada. Louise is a seasoned professional with over 20 years experience in privately held business - both as an owner and a consultant. Her consulting experience includes four years with the international consulting firm of Peat Marwick and Partners. In September 1991, Louise started her own company M.O.T. Strategy located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Louise specializes in strategic planning, communications and training programs that lead to positive change. She is credited with the turnaround of several floundering corporate divisions. Her work as coach and adviser to industry associations and members groups challenged with adapting to a new environment keeps her in the know.

Louise’s client base is extremely varied and includes small businesses, professional practices, trade and member associations, large corporations, para-governmental and governmental agencies. She works at all levels within an organization - for its employees, for its customers, and for its board.