Bio of Henry Ford - January, 2006
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Henry Ford is an author, publisher, professional speaker and coach, consultant,
trainer, and most recently a self-taught web site designer. A former member of the
National Speakers Association, Henry speaks to diverse audiences throughout the
United States and has shared his message in international waters aboard Royal
Caribbean’s Legend of The Seas, Vision of The Seas, and Norwegian’s Majesty
cruise ships. In November 2004 Henry addressed a meeting of the Australian
Shareholders Association in Sydney, Australia.
A background of over thirty-six years in corporate America with a world leader in
earthmoving equipment manufacturing offered numerous, diverse, and challenging
experiences. Henry's employment experience included learning and adapting to the
corporate culture of various owners, including General Motors, White Motors, Daimler-
Benz, Volvo, Clark Equipment Corporation, Clark Michigan, and Hitachi. During his
career, Henry also survived numerous downsizings and reorganizations, fueled by
foreign competition and a major decline in the industry. Despite these factors and the
ever-present pressures of being a member of the 4% minority work force, Henry
worked his way through nine career levels. Upon retirement he was immediately
retained as a consultant, a position he continued for the next six years.
Henry strongly believes that his employment challenges provided a uniquely strong
foundation for his message of individual accountability, attitude, belief and
commitment. That foundation is combined with over twenty years of business
ownership and nearly three decades of active community service. He inspires his
audiences through personal examples, historical references and insightful vision. His
1991 Alumni Speech to the graduates of Cuyahoga Community College drew public
praise from TRI-C Board of Trustee President Owen Heggs and Congresswoman
Mary Rose Oakar, among others. After Henry's speech, Congresswoman Oakar
approached the microphone, and stated to the audience of 6000, "I don't know why
they need me here."
At age forty-nine Henry enrolled in Capital University’s Adult Program and obtained a
degree in business and communications, graduating magna cum laude. After
graduation, he enrolled in the Les Brown Speaking for a Living workshop and began
his career as a professional speaker. Less than a year later Henry had written his
best seller Success Is You, a motivational self-help book which focuses on education,
attitude, persistence, personal accountability and responsibility.
During the next year, Henry wrote another book, The Power of Association, which
demonstrates the value of volunteering and the importance of positive associations to
personal and professional development. The foundation of The Power of Association
is rooted in the positive effects of synergism experienced at the Les Brown Workshop
and Henry's work with the National Association of Investors Corporation, BDPA-
Information Technology Thought Leaders and others. Organizations find The Power
of Association to be a powerful recruiting and member retention tool. Henry is known
and respected for his insightful observations expressed in other writings including
Surviving Corporate America, An Urgent Agenda and Letter to a White Associate.
Sharing his deep commitment and powerful message, Henry is a strong supporter of
youth. He has presented on five occasions to students in the Hugh O’Brian Youth
Foundation (HOBY) program; a worldwide organization dedicated to the development
of youth leaders. Henry encourages and inspires youth leaders to set the direction
and momentum to create positive change, causing others of their generation to rise
above apathy, defeatism and unwise choices, and realize their greatness.
Henry challenges adults of all ages, not only through his speeches, workshops and
books, but also through VISIONS Newsletter and VISIONS On-Line, which he jointly
publishes with his wife Dianne. He is the publisher of INSPIRATIONS, a five times
weekly collection of inspirational, educational and public service messages e-mailed
at no charge to clients and associates around the world. Henry has been a
contributing writer for Purpose and Black Enterprise magazines, and a writer for a
community newspaper. He has also taught adult education classes in the Twinsburg
and Solon school systems.
In 1995 Henry was named a “Les Brown Presenter” during Mr. Brown’s appearance in
Cleveland, Ohio. In messages that will cause you to stop, look and listen; Henry
shares his conviction that most of what you seek can be yours if you will believe that
success is you, and act in accordance with that belief. He looks upon obstacles as
opportunities and believes in possibilities instead of probabilities. Typical of
comments from Henry’s audiences is this quote from the Twinsburg Sun Times -
“Henry's voice is deep and velvety, his style methodical and deliberate. His strong,
clear delivery emphasizes his faith in his message.”
A strong believer in the value of family, Henry has shared his vast experience to help
uplift his immediate and extended family. He was an original member of the founding
Ford-Bryson chapter of the Hansie Solomon Reunion, a reunion that has taken place
each year since 1974, hosting reunions in eight states and the province of Ontario,
Canada. In 1984 Henry founded the Synnia Solomon Scholarship Fund, in honor of a
cousin who began the reunion. He continued as director of that fund for nearly a
decade. In 1988 Henry elicited corporate and small business support and introduced
the first Business Exposition to the reunion.
Henry's service to family represents a small portion of a long history of community
service. That service includes participating in the founding of the Veterans Business
Resource Council, several years of service with REACT (Radio Emergency Citizens
Action Team) working with law enforcement authorities to help keep our streets safe,
and encouraging others in similar worthwhile ventures. He currently supports the on-
line efforts of AMW (America's Most Wanted). Henry was instrumental in lobbying the
State of Ohio to accept high school GED test results and issue Certificates of
Equivalence, thereby encouraging and easing the transition of thousands to higher
education.
Henry is a recipient of the prestigious Investment Education Award from the National
Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC), a charter member of the World
Federation of Investment Clubs. Henry joined Lawrence C. Jones, Chairman of The
Van Dorn Corporation, John J. Phelan, Jr., Chairman of The New York Stock
Exchange, Martha R. Seger, Governor of The Federal Reserve System and Louis M.
Thompson, Jr., President of The National Investor Relations Institute as IEI award
winners. His presence among four recognized investment, industry and government
leaders helps confirm his stated belief that where you are currently has little to do with
your potential.
Henry served for a year as Deputy Director of the 9th Street Project’s 1000 Churches
Program. The 9th Street Project is an Ohio based initiative of the Rainbow/PUSH
Coalition, and is charged with promoting investment literacy and inclusion in the
Northeast Ohio area.
In his continuing effort to help others achieve financial independence, Henry has
received training from the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition as a part of that organization's
economic literacy initiative. His work in investment education has been acknowledged
by Rev. Jesse Jackson in his book, It’s About The Money. Henry utilized his passion
and experience to co-chair an investment education initiative at the progressive Mt.
Zion Church of Oakwood Village, under the direction of Pastor Larry L. Macon, Sr.
As an active member of Mt. Zion, Henry began adding church news and
announcements to his web site several years ago. His commitment and the
information content drew enough attention to cause a dedicated church site to be
created, and launched Henry into a new and unexpected career. He now does web
site design and maintenance for several clients.
The late Alex Haley and five current and former members of the U.S. Congress have
recognized Henry for his efforts. Henry is the holder of numerous awards including
Who’s Who in Black Corporate America, Excellent Service in Education, Member of
The Year-Cleveland Chapter of BDPA, Achievement in Life Award, Who’s Who
Worldwide, Bud Strong Achiever Award and others.
To book Henry for an event or for additional information, you may contact him at (216)
348-4612, or by e-mail at successisyou@yahoo.com
Printed from www.henryfordswebsite.com/bioprint.html