Chris John Celebrates 15 years with Catalyzer
Lansing, Kansas – September 1, 2024: When Chris John was selling United Benefit Advisors, Catalyzer’s original founder approached him about starting up a leadership development organization. Since he had an abiding interest and a career’s worth of experience in that very field, he jumped at the opportunity. That was 15 years ago.
As with any startup, there were challenges at every turn, and at times he wondered whether he would ever recoup his initial investment.
For years, the organization provided important services to a variety of industries but not the sort of earthshaking change that John knew was possible – what he wanted to offer other organizations. Knowing that change starts within, he and the other board members moved to executive-level upgrades at LGL Leadership (as Catalyzer was formerly known). They sought someone who could create a more dynamic, focused culture.
“Enter Steve Ingalls – the best decision we ever made,” John said. He credits that single decision for much of the organization’s transformation. “Under Steve’s leadership we changed the name to Catalyzer, created production/management metrics, clarified our WHO, WHAT and HOW, established a web presence, and started GROWING,” John said. Ingalls is now Catalyzer’s President and CEO.
Despite all the hard work that goes into starting and running company with a nationwide presence, John’s memories focus overwhelmingly on the relationships he has built through his involvement. Foremost, he values “the great friends I have made through Catalyzer” and learning “just how good West Pointers are when it comes to leadership. It was been a wonderful part of my life, and it has touched the lives of Tina (my wife) and all of my children – Reena, Dorje and Tenzin.”
Among the Catalyzer memories that stand out for John are of course leadership development sessions, in particular with Boy Scout leaders when he was President of the Western Colorado Council. Another highlight was the Utility Trailer Manufacturing’s annual meeting in Washington, DC, which involved a trip to Arlington National Cemetery and a chance to meet Medal of Honor recipient US Navy Master Chief Ed Byers.
But not all work has been quite so serious. There were cigars and bourbon in San Diego, “figuring out how we were going to fix our big internal business challenges” and “seeing the Eagles play the All Blacks Rugby match in Chicago. I took my son Dorje on that trip.”
Even team-building experiences have been memorable, including learning to crew an 8-man racing shell in Austin as part of the annual BOD meeting, “trying to row together as a team (only sort of successful).”
John is not just optimistic but excited about the organization’s future. “Catalyzer is accelerating,” he said. “I see more clients, more profitability, more fun….and most important, helping more people and companies.”
His vision is not just more of the same, however. “I see Catalyzer as being at the center of a network of people who are passionate about CETA (Character, Empathy, Trust, Accountability),” he said. “We will also become a magnet for a cadre of younger leaders who will want to build on what we have started.”
Catalyzer is a Kansas-based, veteran-owned small business that believes servant leadership drives success and changes the world for the better. “We live out that conviction by offering tailored leadership development programs, one-on-one coaching, integral assessments, and studies that help you better understand your people and their place in your organization,” Ingalls said.
Since inception, Catalyzer has produced and led more than 525 separate programs across diverse industry sectors, developing more than 16,100 leaders nationwide. Organizations served include law enforcement, union/non-union manufacturing companies, community banks and their associations across seven states, engineering companies, and non-profits. Prominent organizations include McDonald’s, Utility Trailer Manufacturing, Tindall Corporation, Trideum Corporation, and the Boy Scouts.