About me …

During my long professional career, I’ve worked in a variety of positions and settings — clinical social worker for two mental health clinics, sales rep for a telecommunications company, and later a medical laboratory. In addition, I worked as a training/organizational development specialist for a large healthcare corporation, a financial technology company, and later a Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance company.

Today, I own and manage Compass Consulting Group (a division of Larry Ferguson & Associates, Inc.).

Along with two other colleagues, I coach high performing, high potential managers (newly-promoted or recently-hired) to become tomorrow’s leaders by identifying their strengths and limitations; then assisting them to create action-focused development plans.  I work aggressively with my clients to define measurable outcomes that document application, business impact, and (in some cases) Return-on-Investment while “holding their feet to the fire.”

Outside of my consulting and coaching, I’ve been an active Board member of the American Society for Training and Development, Cascadia Chapter, serving as its 2004 President. I’m also an active member of Tabor Toastmasters and a past Club President — http://mttaborcomm.freetoasthost.us/.

On the side, I also teach a six-week course on “Group Process and Development,” at Portland State University’s Professional Development Center — http://bit.ly/teaching_course.

Currently, I live with my wife, Chris, in Portland, OR, our home for over thirty years. When not actively involved with Compass, you’ll find me riding in a number of organized long distance bike events (50 to 200 miles). Or, flying with fellow pilots while enjoying the beauty of the Pacific NW.

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