CCI CONSULTING TEAM

Evangeline Caridas

Evangeline Caridas helps organizations achieve sales results by unleashing the commitment, enthusiasm and creative power of their people. She has over fifteen years of management and consulting experience. She published the groundbreaking results from her study, “Flow and Optimal Performance In the Workplace,” in Rediscovering the Soul of Business, an anthology that included business futurist Charles Handy. Her latest contribution is to the business anthology Futures that Work. She also contributed to The New Bottom Line by Ken Blanchard and Tom Peters. She has demonstrated the effectiveness of her methodology to corporations that wish to lead in their industry.

Clients

Over the past 25+ years she has worked with Prudential, Conoco, Xerox, Exxon, QuietFlex Manufacturing, Linbeck Construction Company, The City of Houston, Austin Independent School District, MHMRA of Harris County, Aspiring Youth, Noble Affiliates, Alpha Montessori, Columbia Healthcare Systems, General Electric Aero, Goodyear, Houston Cellular, Madison Benefits Group, Missouri City, Talent Tree, Tejano Center, United Behavioral Health, Legacy Development Construction Management, Child Advocates, Inc., Walker-Hale Plumbing & Hardware, University of Texas, Alliance for Community Media, Houston Media Source, Palos 118 Independent School District and Perkins & Will, AXS Bolivia.

Recent Projects

• Led a sales process improvement initiative of a national real estate firm. Company revenues grew by 25% and 80%, within six and 12 months, respectively. Helped management design and implement their strategic plan. Assisted agents in creating individual development plans which linked to strategic plan.
• Conducted a sales planning conference which resulted in a 20% increase in company profits. Strategic implementation sessions for a national benefits firm resulted in the adoption of a new technology program, enhanced communications among employees, a stronger internal work environment, improved customer service, and a more skilled sales force.
• Facilitated turnaround of a large manufacturing firm which was facing internal strife and union activity. Improved performance of executive team, sales and customer service, manufacturing line, and shipping/receiving. Results: (6 months) preferred industry provider, 60% productivity increase, waste reduction from 10% to .2% and employees did not join the union.
• Conducted customer service training for large mobile telecommunications company which was bought out. Increased retention and improved internal communications resulted in increased customer satisfaction (18%) within 3 months.

Prior Experience

Prior to founding Caridas Consulting International, Evangeline possessed over fifteen years of management experience. She served as senior manager with the Performance Improvement Group of a Big Six management consulting firm, general manager for a major international consulting firm in the Midwest, nd senior sales executive with the Xerox Corporation in the Southwest and Midwest.

She is an adjunct professor at the University of Houston in the Department of Human Development & Consumer Sciences.

Credentials, Education, & Lectures

Evangeline holds a Bachelor’s degree in Retailing, Merchandising and Consumer Sciences from the University of Houston and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Development from Chicago’s Loyola University.



She has conducted numerous workshops, speaking engagements on management techniques such as performance improvement, sales, motivation, strategic thinking, and innovative leadership strategies. Venues include meetings and conferences of NEOCON (national and international), World Futures Society, Xerox National Sales, and the City of Houston, Conoco Women’s Group and WBEA.

Pamela E. Cavanaugh

Pam Cavanaugh is President of Cavanaugh Leahy & Company, a consulting firm specializing in leadership and organizational effectiveness. Pam has over 20 years of management consulting and senior executive coaching experience. She has led change initiatives and coached senior leaders in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, communications, energy, financial services, retail, food service and manufacturing industries both in the U.S. and internationally.

Prior to founding Cavanaugh Leahy & Company, Pam served for five years as General Manager of a national consulting firm specializing in organizational change, executive development and career transition. Earlier positions include: SVP of Operations for a consulting firm which offered executive coaching and workplace programs; Director of TWA’s Special Health Services; Administrative Director, Smithers Alcoholism Treatment & Training Center, where she developed consultation services for the NY Mets; and Administrative Management positions in two New York City teaching hospitals.

Pam holds a B.A. in Communications and Psychology from Mercy College; studied Search Conferences and Participative Design at New Mexico State University; attended Rutgers School of Alcohol Studies and a year long Executive Excellence Program at the Center for Management Design. She has also attended many graduate-level programs, seminars and workshops. Pam is a past Board Member of The Center for Human Resource Management Studies, Fairleigh Dickinson University and has served as a Special Consultant to the Occupational Branch of the NIAAA.

Nancy Cebula

Nancy Cebula is the owner and principle consultant of People in Charge, LLC. People in Charge works with organizations and communities in the public and private sectors, helping them maximize their effectiveness through the participation of their people. The focus of her work is to help groups of people work together to build strong and vibrant organizations through participative planning, work design and organizational learning. This results in an organization that has a clear picture of its future; values true participation by all employees; encourages learning and development; and places responsibility for control and coordination of work at the level where the work is done, leading to increased quality, customer service, staff satisfaction, and productivity. Ms. Cebula is a co-author of the book Futures that Work: Using the Search Conference to Revitalize Companies, Communities, and Organizations. She is a contributing author in the book People in Charge: Creating Self Managing Workplaces by Robert Rehm, Hawthorn Press, 1999. The video, “Team Based Management” by Blue Sky Productions, is about her work with the Federal Judicial Center.

Nancy has been working as a change agent since the 1970’s, from her early work as a juvenile probation officer to large systems work as an organization development consultant. She has worked with clients in both the public and private sectors including Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, the Land Bank of South Africa, United Airlines, the National Institute of Corrections, DuPont, The Prudential Assurance Company (UK), U. S. Forest Service, U. S. Court System, the Federal Aviation Administration, Valparaiso University, the University of Colorado at Denver, the Royal Mail (United Kingdom), various states and communities. She has worked in Canada, South Africa, Russia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom with leaders in public service, education, health and human services, finance, alternative energy, communications, advertising, retail, and manufacturing.



Nancy holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, and is certified in mediation and conflict resolution, the Organization Workshop, and various other management programs. She speaks conversational Spanish and has worked with simultaneous translation in Russian, Africaans and Xhosa.

Larry D’Andrea

Larry D’Andrea is President of D’Andrea Consulting Inc., a management-consulting firm with over 23 years’ experience in advising clients on how to develop and implement major change projects successfully. Larry has worked with clients ranging in size from $5 million to $8 billion and has combined his operational expertise with change management tools and techniques to create sustainable and successful change. Larry has conducted business in a number of countries including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Italy, Czech Republic, Japan, Singapore and China. He has worked on projects across a wide range of industries including automotive, food and beverage, consumer electronics, semiconductor, aerospace, and transportation and logistics.

Larry’s experience as a speaker/presenter at conferences includes presentations to the American Society for Quality, Association for Manufacturing Excellence, Society of Automotive Engineers, and Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario.

Previously, he was a Partner with Ernst & Young and Grant Thornton, where he held several management positions including National Leader – Mergers & Acquisitions, National Leader – Manufacturing Practice, and Member of the International Mergers & Acquisitions Committee. While at Ernst & Young, he was an internal resource for Change Management across North America. He also co-founded Alluence Capital Advisors Inc., a boutique investment bank.



Larry earned a B.A.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.A.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).

Maximo A. Benavides

As a professor physician scientist, Maximo A. Benavides is leading a research consulting company in the field of the education and health. After earning a diploma as a physician and surgeon, he worked as a doctor in the remote Andes and the jungles of South America, assisting in developing immunization and nutrition programs as well as the education of new health professionals. He subsequently completed a residency in oncological surgery. Research has allowed him to influence the underlying mechanisms of diseases and work directly towards the development of strategies and therapies for the prevention and treatment, so he can identify and solve problems in administration, education and health arenas.

Maximo’s interest in investigation drew him to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (U.A.B.) as a fellow in surgical oncology, the Fox Chase Cancer Center (F.C.C.C.), and the University of Illinois at Chicago (U.I.C.). Following these research experiences, he worked as an invited professor at the University of Sao Paulo-Ribeirao Preto-Brazil in the departments of Gynecology and Surgery. I recently earned his Master of Science (Biotechnology) degree at Johns Hopkins University.



Maximo is honest, optimistic and hard-working, and has worked comfortably in different countries with distinct languages, cultures and customs. He is a confident professor-physician-scientist with a passion for his work.

Mark Hammer

Mark Hammer works with companies to improve their overall performance. He has worked for twenty-two years as a psychotherapist, with expertise in Addictions, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. He is currently co-authoring a book with Evangeline Caridas called “Flow in the Workplace“, to be published this year. His business coaching expertise focuses on turnarounds utilizing high performance strategies. He is currently specializing in the development of thriving environments, effective communication & conflict resolution skills, and sustainable profitable strategies that enable company success.

Recent Projects

Conducted Leadership Development for a manufacturing company which included communication, assertiveness and conflict resolution skills. Results showed a reduction in stress and conflicts amongst upper and lower management with their employees. This effort proved to be instrumental in preventing the union implementing its strategies and brought stability to the corporate environment. Provided ongoing coaching for this team.

Coaching a Senior Director in a major energy firm in the area of career development, communication skills and conflict resolution. Helped identify and correct problem areas within her management team. The result was that she continues to thrive and is promoted within her organization.

Facilitated community Search Conference method on Community Issues within State of Colorado. The focus targeted high risk behaviors amongst adolescence. The outcome led to all related agencies centralizing their efforts, joint research, and a gradual reduction of these problem areas

Education and Speaking Engagements

Prior to joining Caridas Consulting International, Mark obtained over twenty-two years of management experience. As an owner and director of counseling centers, he gained first-hand experience with administration and the problems that face management. In addition, he was the owner and designer of employee assistance programs for Productivity, Inc. In addition, Mark works with companies assisting them in funding acquisition.



Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in Drug/Alcohol Counseling from Metropolitan State College. He is a certified Integral Hypno-therapist-Advanced. He has presented numerous workshops on Basic Listening Skills, Assertiveness Skills, Conflict Resolution Skills, Drug/Alcohol Issues in the Workplace and Family Dynamics.

Clients

Over the past 25 years he has worked with Prudential, QuietFlex Manufacturing, The City of Houston, Aspiring Youth, Noble Affiliates, Alpha Montessori, Columbia Healthcare Systems, Goodyear, Houston Cellular, United Behavioral Health, Child Advocates, Inc., Walker-Hale Plumbing & Hardware, University of Texas, Houston Media Source, Palos 118 Independent School District and Perkins & Will, MHMRA of Harris County, AXS Bolivia.

Mary Harlan

Contrary to popular assumption, Mary Harlan asserts that people do not resist change; they resist being changed by someone else!   Mary’s signature work with Action Learning Teams leverages executive vision and employee engagement to generate customized solutions and capture critical opportunities.

Intercultural Effectiveness

Mary has supported an international joint venture between Norwegian and Japanese engineering and construction companies. She worked with BP Amoco’s new venture teams developing the culture sensitivity for teams in China, Russia, Egypt, Trinidad, Brazil, and Mexico.

Credentials, Education, & Lectures

Mary is an ICF certified executive coach and certified to use the Intercultural Development Inventory® and the BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory®. Mary holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Boston University and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Houston.

Mary lectures at the University of Houston and she is a frequent speaker at national conferences including Women in Federal Law Enforcement, Linkage Diversity Summit, the National Organizational Development Conference, the SHRM Gulf Coast Symposium, and George Mason University.

Business Affiliations

Mary founded Harlan Consulting Services, Inc in 1993 with the mission to engage people in deliberate change that supports business success and provides individual fulfillment.

Harlan Consulting was awarded its GSA Schedule in 2006 and as such is an approved vendor to the U.S. Federal Government.

Mary has been an affiliate of Caridas Consulting International since 2003. Mary’s experience with participative design allows her to support Evangeline on projects.

Clients include Aker Solutions, BP Amoco, Duke Energy, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Knowledge Universe Corp., Shell Oil, Spectra Energy, US Cellular, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Secret Service, and Wells Fargo

Rodney Hill

Professor Rodney Hill holds his graduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley, where he taught the first course in Future Studies. He has the Adams Professorship in Interdisciplinary Collaboration and the Professorship in Teaching Excellence at Texas A&M University. He is on the Board of the Institute for Applied Creativity.

Professor Hill received the 2006 Champion of Creativity Award at the American Creativity Association International Conference. He has received college, university, state and national teaching awards including the TSA Romieniec Architectural Education Award. In 2008, Professor Hill received two awards: the University Honors Scholar/Research Award and the Wells Fargo Honors Mentor Award. In 2009, Professor Hill received his fifth university teaching award. In 2010, Professor Hill was awarded the Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology at the 21st International Conference on College Teaching and Learning. His students win national innovation competitions and regularly file for patents.



Professor Hill has presented all over the globe at conferences on Futures, Creativity and Innovation. He has presented at the World Future Conference several times, the American Creativity Association, the European Creativity Association, the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance, and the Engineering and Construction Contracting Association.

Diana Petrochelli

Diana Petrochelli is an interculturalist, permaculturist and corporate responsibility consultant. Her abilities are based on extensive post-graduate studies of human behavior and communication. They were also gained through firsthand, in-depth experience of a variety of cultures during her travels, when she lived and worked throughout the U.S., Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Africa. This experience enables her to foster understanding between people from diverse cultures, backgrounds and economic interests.

Diana’s earlier company, WORLD BRIDGE GROUP – PUENTE AL MUNDO, specialized in intercultural relations worldwide for a number of years. Diana, who is fluent in Spanish, graduated in Córdoba, Argentina, earning a B.A. degree in Education. She is licensed to deliver Berlitz Cultural Consulting programs. She earned certification as a “Permaculture Designer” from the Permaculture Institute – USA and completed her post-graduate training in Advanced Permaculture with David Holmgren at the Argentinean Institute of Permaculture. She also was a consulting expert for the book, “Attracting Perfect Customers – The Power of Synchronicity,” authored by Stacey Hall and Jan Brogniez.



Also a public speaker, Diana’s latest engagements were as guest on Living Smart’s Houston PBS Channel 8, where she discussed individual and corporate responsibility in creating a sustainable planet through Permaculture and other environmentally friendly systems. In Argentina, she leads a monthly educational public meeting, “Citizens Who Would Like to Remember their Love for Nature,” which is broadcast by the area’s local TV station.

George A. Giagtzis

George Giagtzis is founder/managing partner of Axea Group & Co, LLC a global corporate finance and private equity advisory firm. Concurrently, he is a Director of EM Capital and Sr. Advisor of Access America Investments and Fund. Previously, he held the positions of Director of Finance for Sprint International/Global One – Americas; marketing and finance positions at IBM Credit Corporation; and operations and accounting at Saudi Aramco and Exxon Corporation. George earned a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Houston, an M.B.A. in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) and a Certificate of International Business Management (C.I.B.M.) from the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, Washington D.C.



George has lived and traveled extensively in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. He speaks fluent Spanish and Greek as well as conversational Arabic and basic Portuguese. As an advisor and interim Chief Financial Officer to several technology startups, an Inter-American Development Bank project and a NASDAQ traded entity, he holds several minority equity interests and continues to support and finance early stage and middle size emerging market project finance activities principally in the U.S., Latin America and the Middle East.

Alice Adams

Alice Adams has served in a number of Hospital CEO and COO positions. Her nursing background allowed for her in-depth understanding of clinical services. She successfully impacted patient, employee, and physician satisfaction levels in the three Houston area hospitals that she served in over the past 20 years. Alice opened profitable new product lines and grew margin and overall volume.

Prior Experience

Alice Hopkins Adams is currently serving as CEO at East Houston Regional Medical Center. Prior to arriving at EHRMC in 2011 she served as CEO at Texas Orthopedic Hospital from 2007 to 2011. She also served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer at Mainland Medical Center in Texas City between 1993 and 2007. Prior to working at HCA Gulf Coast Division facilities, Alice worked in other hospital settings as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, and Assistant Director of Nursing.

Credentials, Education, & Lectures

Alice holds a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

Experience

East Houston Regional Medical Center

• Initiated and maintained margin improvement plan:
• Supply expense down 4.2 percent over prior period and 8 percent salary reduction
• TJC top performer 2014
• Employee engagement moved from 2nd to top quartile within Press Ganey
• Physician engagement moved up 20 percentile points
• Launched new service lines:
• CHF clinic
• Vein ablation clinic
• Oncology services
• Breast center
• Industrial medicine

Texas Orthopedic Hospital

• Ranked number one in patient satisfaction among all HCA hospitals (145) and maintained for 8 quarters
• US News and world reports best hospital ranking top 50 hospitals for 3 consecutive years
• Physician engagement 90th percentile

Mainland Medical Center

• Improved patient satisfaction ranking from 86 to 13 within HCA
• Opened new service lines:
• Geriatric psychiatry
• Midwifery clinic
• Acute rehab
• Industrial medicine