Dr. Powell has a rare combination of high-level academic training in Speech Communication and 20 years of full-time corporate experience.

As Director of Executive Services for Reddy Communications, Inc., from 1978-1982, Ron developed and implemented training programs for electric utilities throughout the United States and Canada. From 1982 through 1990, Ron was Managing Director of Development Systems International, where he continued to create and conduct witness, media and presentation skills training for a variety of corporate clients in over 40 states before inaugurating The Powell Group in 1991.

Ron has assisted attorneys and witnesses in preparation for rate cases, public hearings, civil trials, and for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. In the media arena, he has helped clients prepare for hundreds of media interviews as well as appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and The Larry King Show. Moreover, over a thousand speakers-from members of Congress and presidential appointees to CEOs-have worked with Ron to enhance their presentation skills.

Ron's ability to provide non-threatening, results-oriented counsel and training spans a variety of levels within corporations. His consistently high marks on evaluations from executives to entry-level speaker bureau members attest to his ability to adjust to individual participant and company needs.

Ron received his Ph.D. in Speech Communication from Indiana University, where his wife, Frona, is an Associate Professor of Business Law. They have two children, Aaron and Alison.