About Us
Our PhilosophySome would describe our current era as permeated by divisiveness, uncertainty, and increasingly limited possibility. Others make the case that an age infused by collaboration, radical creativity and unimaginable possibility is upon us. At Pacific Edge, we wish to support and collaborate with people and organizations who understand that the future is not predetermined or merely a matter of opinion or implementation, but rather is created by clarity of purpose, unwavering commitments, and skillful action.
It is widely accepted that the pace of change is accelerating and the complexity of our challenges is increasing. Many have an uneasy feeling that we may not be fully prepared for these inevitable and often disorienting shifts. Quick, easy fixes are tempting, but we’ve been down that road before, and it has not produced the promised results, or anything resembling sustainability. What is required is a whole new road map- one that includes an original set of tools, unconventional mindsets, and new skills to take us there.
At Pacific Edge, we offer transformational (or developmental) change, where leaders and teams learn and grow through their current challenges (evolve) by shifting how they both interpret those challenges as well as how they overcome them. This resolves not just a single issue or problem but increases capacity to better manage a whole host of similar issues. “Change is inevitable, growth is optional” John Maxwell.
Our mission at Pacific Edge is to develop and transform leaders, teams, and organization so that they can envision, articulate, and manifest a sustainable future. Our process is to assess, design, then develop. This means we first identify the areas and outcomes that will produce transformational results. We then design an intervention with clear milestones and criteria to insure agreed on goals are met. Finally, we establish an appropriate rhythm and structure of delivery. At each step we will partner with you and receive ongoing feedback from all stakeholders.
Consultant Biographies
Pacific Edge is led by two consultants who between them have more than 50 years experience in building people and organizations.
Tom Bepler
For more than 20 years Tom has been at the forefront in the field of transformational development. His work focuses on developing the mindsets, skills and performance of leaders, teams, and organizations to produce extraordinary outcomes. This is accomplished by employing a collaborative and comprehensive assessment to identify developmental opportunities, gaps and needed skill sets, then implementing targeted custom designed initiatives that produce lasting results. [...for more info]
Dan Schwab
Dan Schwab has extensive experience in the field of human resource development and adult education, having served as both an internal and external consultant for more than 20 years. He has designed and presented seminars on a diverse range of workplace topics, including supervision, personal productivity, public speaking, project management and technology. His passion is working with individuals and organizations to enhance the understanding and practice of leadership. [...for more info]
Tom Bepler (continued)
Tom has considerable experience in the areas of consulting, leadership development, and executive coaching. He was Co-Director and Senior Consultant at Pro-Action Associates- a premier training & development company in Silicon Valley during the dot.com days; Senior Consultant/Coach with JMJ Associates Ltd., Trainer/Facilitator with the Center For Creative Leadership, Program Lead at OBP (Outward Bound Professional- Leadership), and executive coach/consultant for a wide variety of companies, nationally and internationally. His current work includes: Executive Coach for UC Berkeley Haas School of Business CED (Center for Executive Development), Genentech IT department as a consultant and executive coach; and a variety of other companies and individual clients.Throughout his career, Tom has had the pleasure of serving a variety of clients from a number of different industries, in a number of different capacities, including: Apple, Bank of America, Chevron, Citibank, Dupont, Genentech, Oracle, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Shell, Chevron, Verizon, Stanford Linear Accelerator, and many more. His expertise and experience focuses on transformational methodologies and results.
Tom earned a B.A. in English/Communication with a concentration in Education, and holds a certificate in Human Resource Development from the University of Santa Cruz. He has worked in the U.S., Europe, the Mideast and South America. Tom is a certified Integral Coach (New Ventures West), Certified Somatic Coach (Strozzi Institute), certified Right Management Coach, a member of PCMA (Professional Coaches and Mentors Association), ICF (International Coaching Federation), and ASTD (Association for Training & Development).
Tom is committed to issues of leadership, community, and sustainability near his home in Santa Cruz. Tom is also an internationally recognized mountaineer - as a member of the 1985 American Baffin Island Expedition, he and 3 other climbers completed the first ascent of the West Face of Mt. Thor.
Recent Engagements
UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
For four years Tom has served as an executive/leadership coach with the CEE (Center for Executive Education) at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. He is one of four coaches whose focus is in support of the Project Executive (PE) Program, a unique and specially designed leadership development program with a major European company. The coaching occurs over a period of 12 months with top-level executives within the company, most who lead major capital projects of more than $1billion. The outcome of the PE program is “to shape executives able to successfully execute projects in unfamiliar countries, act on the right instincts when confronted with local political issues, and strategically lead large multi-national teams.”
USAID (United States Agency For International Development)
Tom recently designed and led a one-week leadership development training in Amman Jordon for 20 young leaders. The participants were from a variety of Mideast countries and had recently returned to their home countries after spending 9 months in the United States where they received education and training in their respective fields. Each of these young leaders was responsible for initiating and leading projects in their respective countries.
Genentech
Tom is one of a small group of executive coaches responsible for delivering a specially designed 12-month PEP (Personal Excellence) Program for Genentech IT department- recognized as #2 Best Place to Work. As reported by Computerworld magazine Genentech’s focus on development generally, and the PEP program in particular, are factors in Genentech’s IT department’s success. Now in its 4th year, the PEP program is highly regarded in Genentech’s many leadership development efforts.
Client Testimonials
| “The strength of Tom is his clear vision, his pertinent questions and his capacity to create space to think through challenges and situations. Soon you will see that action plan emerge bringing your own self into a realm of innovation and leadership, converting vision into strategy and action on the ground”. ~ Gunter Pauli author “Upsizing” & “The Blue Economy”, Founder ZERI |
Dan Schwab (continued)
In addition, Dan has designed and facilitated meetings for organizations of many types and sizes, from strategic planning retreats for senior teams to company-wide events. He also has considerable experience as a performance coach at both the executive and staff levels.From 2001 to 2009, Dan served as Director of Training and Organizational Development for the Trust for Public Land, where his expertise in adult learning contributed to the success of one of America’s most effective conservation organizations. Prior to joining TPL, Dan worked as an internal training consultant with Franklin Templeton Investments, a multinational financial services firm. Earlier, he was a key member of pioneering experiential training provider Pro-Action Associates, where he guided thousands of people through adventure team building programs.
Dan’s early career included more than ten years experience in the building and mechanical trades. In the early 1980’s he was co-owner of the Solar Center Inc., a pioneering provider of alternative energy technology. An intrepid outdoorsman, Dan has long shared his love of the outdoors with at-risk youth, college students and people with special needs. He is also a leader in helping his home community of Richmond, California transform to a post-petroleum world.
Dan holds a degree in Human Resource Management from the Dominican University of California as well as a Certificate in Training and Human Resource Development from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Certified Master Facilitator of the Leadership Challenge Workshop, a graduate of Coach U and a facilitator of the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream symposium.
Dan’s diverse experience in the business, public and philanthropic arenas, combined with his environmental activism and extensive world travels, have made him a seasoned consultant and seminar leader. Known for his thoughtful delivery and keen sense of humor, Dan brings insight and expertise to any organizational change effort.
Recent Engagements
University of California, Davis
UC Davis, one of the world's premier agricultural, research and educational institutions, has recently been seriously affected by the state's severe budget crisis. Layoffs, substantial cuts to programs and restructuring of administrative functions have required major changes in how the university goes about its business.
Working with Sonoma Leadership Systems, Dan designed and delivered a leadership development program for more than 120 staff from departments across campus. The workshop provided staff with the skills to lead through this time of change, rather than to simply manage through it. Utilizing the Leadership Challenge as a foundation, Dan customized the training materials to fit the specific needs of the university community.
Once the initial program delivery was complete, Dan was engaged to lead quarterly follow-up sessions with program participants to build on the foundation established by the workshop, and to encourage a wider application of leadership skills in a complex and often ambiguous work environment.
Chevron Management Institute
For years, the Chevron Corporation has sponsored a Management Institute to develop the capacity of leaders from non-profit organizations worldwide.
In 2009, Chevron chose to host CMI for a group of 21 leaders engaged in community development in Richmond, California, where the corporation has operated a major refinery for 106 years. A resident of Richmond himself, this project had particular relevance to Dan, bringing the expression "think globally and act locally" into sharp focus.
Working with Sonoma Leadership Systems and Compass Point Non-Profit Services, Dan was the lead consultant in delivering the Chevron Management Institute to Richmond leaders. He continues to work with the CMI's alumni to develop the capacity of their organizations long term.
Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates
Dan has helped design and implement a leadership academy of high potential employees of this rapidly growing multinational organization.
The Trust for Public Land
A sophisticated non-profit working to create sustainable communities across America, TPL engaged Dan to develop a process to integrate elements of many separate programs in California into a single coherent program.
City of Klamath Falls Oregon
Recognizing that the future of this small municipality requires an innovative approach to leadership, the top nine members of City government worked with Dan to improve their personal leadership strengths and design a training program for all City employees.
Leaders across Borders
Based at the University of Arizona in Tucson, this program is working to strengthen leadership practice among health care professionals on both sides of the Us-Mexico border. Dan was engaged to provide leadership assessment and training to the first class of this innovative and important program.
Client Testimonials
| In his instruction, Dan complemented the course material with real world examples and his deep understanding of leadership. He was also adept in understanding our culture and specific challenges, and because of this he was able to connect with participants in an effective manner. Throughout the program there was a good mix of personal reflection and small and large group activities. Dan received very high marks on his teaching evaluations.” ~ Karen Slakey Hull Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources, UC Davis |
| Over his years at the Trust for Public Land, Dan made major contributions to the training and skill development of TPL staff. What Dan accomplished was head and shoulders above what any of us have previously experienced.” ~ Will Rogers President and CEO, the Trust for Public Land |
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