About the Authors

Michael Cofield

Michael Cofield, PhD Dr. Cofield, ABPP, is a Diplomate in Psychology with the American Board of Professional Psychology and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Clinical Health Psychology. He is the Director of Behavioral Medicine for two of Banner Health’s hospitals in Arizona, and has been a leader in the field of Employee Assistance; a former adjunct research scientist in the area of Alzheimer’s disease and related neuropsychological disorders; and holds Associate Fellow status in Cognitive-Behavioral/Rational psychotherapy.

Dr. Cofield is a recognized author, speaker, and subject matter expert in the areas of family business, of which he is a former owner, and organizational effectiveness, with a special interest in the principles of evidence based psychotherapy and social influence. He is frequently utilized as a forensic expert with the Maricopa County Court System.

Dr. Cofield is an avid pilot and enjoys his free time traveling between homes in California and Arizona. Michael can be reached via email at [email protected].

James Olan Hutcheson

James Hutcheson is the Managing Partner and Founder of the family business consulting firm, ReGENERATION Partners. Mr. Hutcheson has more than thirty years of “hands-on” business management and family business consulting experience. As a consultant, Mr. Hutcheson offers the uncommon balance of experience in both the theoretical and practical applications of consulting.

ReGENERATION Partners is devoted exclusively to increasing shareholder value and improving communication in family enterprises. Since founding the firm, Jim has advised more than 140 families across a wide range of industries.

Jim’s family has owned and been actively involved in the daily management of two family businesses: Olan Mills, Inc., the world’s premier photographic company, and Peerless Woolen Mills, later a division of Burlington Industries.

Jim began his professional career with Olan Mills, Inc., in 1976 as a part-time telemarketer and resigned his position as President of Olan Mills Studios in 1995 to establish ReGENERATION Partners. During his eighteen-year career with Olan Mills, he developed and led the organization to over 15,000 employees and more than 1,000 locations throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. During his leadership tenure, the company grew at an annual rate exceeding 25 percent.

In addition to degrees in Psychology, Sociology, and an MBA, Jim has received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws. Jim belongs to the Family Firm Institute (FFI) where he has served on the board of directors and has been awarded Fellow status by his peers. Through FFI, Jim has been awarded the Richard Beckhard Practice Award, the highest recognition for practice within the field of Family Enterprise. Jim has been honored with the Outstanding Business Leader Award from Northwood University, where he also serves as a Trustee and Chairman of the Board of Governors. Jim and ReGENERATION Partners, have been awarded the Greater North Texas Business Ethics Award and were finalists for the North American Business Ethics Award. During his professional life, Jim has served on the board to more than thirty-five enterprises and as an interim CEO.

Jim is a frequent speaker and writes extensively on matters related to family enterprise success. Jim is the author of Portraits of Success: 9 Keys To Sustaining Value in Any Business and is a contributing author for the Family Business Publishers Handbook series.

Jim splits his time between Dallas, Texas, and Telluride, Colorado. Jim can be reached through email at [email protected].

Mary Ann Zimmerman

Mary Ann Zimmerman, MC, LPC, LISAC, is an award-winning business professional with more than nineteen years of consulting experience with a focus on emotional intelligence as it applies to family business, health care, and geriatrics.

Ms. Zimmerman is a Senior Consultant with ReGENERATION Partners and the Managing Director at Mindability. She is a skilled consultant/facilitator working with individuals and organizations to improve communication dynamics and operational efficacy. Mary Ann leads the strategic planning group for ReGENERATION Partners. Additionally, Mary Ann has been a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) surveyor, and has traveled throughout the U.S. to evaluate and accredit agencies that fall under state and federal review.

Ms. Zimmerman is the co-author of a number of articles and the first edition in the Road Map series, The Road Map to Peace of Mind, which has been used by thousands to overcome self-defeating emotional patterns and build psychological resiliency.

Mary Ann is a pilot and spends her free time traveling and flying to her homes in Phoenix, Sedona, and San Diego. Mary Ann may be reached at [email protected].