We want you to live your vision of great success.
WE HELP CLIENTS BRING THEIR VISION TO LIFE.
Forrest Consulting believes every organization and leader should be living their vision of great success. We help our consulting and coaching clients find their vision, develop and implement strategies, and make great decisions to bring their vision to life.
WE BUILD GREAT SUCCESS.
We serve company, association, non-profit, government, and entrepreneurial leaders and boards. We have been building success in scores of business segments and with hundreds of leaders since 1988.
OUR VISION.
Leaders and advisors recognize, engage, and refer us for our consulting, coaching, facilitation, and counseling skills, and our expertise in strategy formulation, strategic management, decision making, growth, and organizational leadership. We build robust organizations. We serve Boards, leaders, owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and groups in service and product businesses, including mission-driven, entrepreneurial, association, government and other entities.
OUR TEAM.
Lee Crumbaugh, SMP, leads the Forrest Consulting team. He assures the quality, consistency and timeliness of all of our work.
Forrest Consulting’s expert team of advisors and coaches enable us to offer tailored, cost-effective strategies and solutions. Our talented advisors and coaches have deep subject-matter expertise. They are professionals in their domain. They are deployed and coordinated through Forrest Consulting. They have been vetted for their expertise, experience, and integrity.
Our advisors and coaches understand Participative Process Consulting and develop client success through Forrest Consulting’s consulting and coaching best-practice approaches and processes.
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Lee Crumbaugh, SMP
Lee, a strategy consultant and business coach, founder and CEO of Forrest Consulting, has helped 100s of companies, associations, non-profits, leaders, owners and entrepreneurs be more successful.
Armed with a University of Chicago MBA in marketing and finance and a University of Illinois BS degree in communications, he has been a leader in banking, associations, publishing and philanthropy, and has launched a publishing company and an area business group.
An Association for Strategic Planning (now the International Association for Strategy Professionals) past president and member, Lee holds its Strategy Management Professional certification. He is a trained facilitator and co-founded the International Association of Facilitators Chicago chapter. He is an author of two books, BIG DECISIONS: 40 disastrous decisions and thousands of research studies tell us how to make a great decision when it really matters (2022, available on Amazon) and AHEAD: Strategy is the way to a better future (2013, also available on Amazon), and a blog, Strategic Thinking & Strategic Action (https://www.forrestconsult.com/blog).
Lee currently serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Central Maryland Chamber and chairs its CEO Roundtable.
Lee’s passion or helping organizations and leaders extends to his personal life. He is a certified running coach and spin instructor and coaches runners and triathletes. He is VP of Training and Education for the Annapolis Striders. He has completed 60 marathons and 10 Ironman triathlons.
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James Stockmal
Jim is the owner of SK Partners, a small independent management consultancy in Washington, DC. Jim has more than 30 years of experience in helping organizations develop strategic performance management systems across many industries including government, non-profit and commercial enterprises such as finance and manufacturing.
Jim’s government clients include the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Washington, DC, Stafford County, the Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County, Events DC, the Department of Energy, the US Air Force, the Navy Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), NASA, the General Services Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and NOAA. Non-profit clients include the National Sporting Goods Association, the Association for Airport Authority Executives (AAAE,) the Direct Marketing Association of Washington (DMAW,) the Institute for Building Technology and Safety, San Miguel DC and DC Net Impact. His commercial clients include the Royal Bank of Canada, Australian New Zealand Bank, CitiCorp, Flagstar Bank, Aetna, Ford Motor Company, and Exxon Mobil.
Jim serves on the Board for the Center for International Relations. He is Past President of the International Association for Strategy Professions (formerly the Association for Strategic Planning), a contributor to ISAP’s The Strategic Edge newsletter, serves on the Editorial Board of IASP’s Strategy Magazine and is in IASP’s Hall of Fame.
Jim recently helped lead a successful initiative to create version 3.0 of IASP’s Body of Knowledge, which provides a common language and a set of best practices for professionals involved in strategic management.
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Margaret Kaii-Ziegler, PhD
Margaret recently retired from a 35-year career in land use planning and design. After six years of effort, Margaret recently successfully defended her dissertation and received a PhD in Public Policy at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
In her work for Forrest Consulting, Margaret manages projects and leads research initiatives for clients..
Margaret earned a BS in Landscape Architecture at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and an MS in Regional and Community Planning at Kansas State University.
Over the course of her career, Margaret led the development of master and special area plans in both rural and urban environments, worked with government officials, communities and special interest groups, and advised the private sector in land development issues. She is skilled in the development and management of geographic information system (GIS) databases and is experienced in writing Request for Proposals and managing contracts.
Margaret has strong organizational, project management and team building skills.
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Laura Reiss
Laura, Owner/CEO of Crux Organizing, optimizes organization and productivity for businesses and individuals. She systematizes and monetizes clients’ gain in productivity in many ways, including creating operations manuals, staff head hunting/training, and systems for company growth. She combines a love of teaching, problem solving, and customer service. Her objective is to improve organizational deficiencies due to disorganization and lto eave the client with the skills to maintain their systems.
Laura has served as a project manager for Forrest Consulting. Previously she handled purchasing and logistics as Customer Service Manager for a multi-million dollar coffee company. She executed trade shows and off-site events, built sales protocols and training, created and implemented systems for six companies, analyzed and projected sales, and managed inventory and transit logistics.
Laura is a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and has served as NAPO Baltimore President and Treasurer. She earned her degree in Musical Theater from the Catholic University of America.
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Tom Drouin
Tom’s firm is Drouin & Associates Consulting Services. His focus focus is B-to-B companies and not-for-profit organizations looking to develop and execute a business or mission strategy, new business launch or for support in enhancing organizational effectiveness through performance assessment and individual career coaching and development.
A senior executive and professional, Tom’s corporate career was built on strategically conceived product and market innovation, business leadership and excellence in human development. His most recent senior role was at BOISE Inc./Boise Cascade as Director, New Business Development. He has a depth of experience as a volunteer leader in not-for-profit organizations and as a counselor for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Tom has worked as a senior consultant on key assignments for Forrest Consulting, including strategic planning projects for the Association for Challenge Course Technology and the DuPage Foundation.
Tom earned his B.A. at The Pennsylvania State University.
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Rod Bourn
Rod is founder and Lead Ninja of Down Set Lead. He helps leaders, professionals, and organizations get unstuck and grow into what they want to be. That happens though coaching, executive trips and retreats, training, and facilitating mentoring programs.
Rod manages continuing education curriculum and specializes in workforce development and contract training. He coordinates large conferences and events, including fundraisers and galas. Rod also serves as Project Director (through CCBC) of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Baltimore program.
Rod is the author of Down Set Lead!, a guide to the chronology of team leadership, written especially for young professionals, all with a football motif and a few movie quotes thrown in for good measure. Rod shares this methodology for creating a well-oiled, high-performing team.
As a Strategic Business Leader coach, Rod is able to leverage his diverse experience and deep knowledge to help owners, professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs be more successful.
Rod earned his MS in Organizational Development from The Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School and his BS in Business Administration from Towson University.
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Nancy Kobel
Nancy is an accredited coach with the International Coach Federation, bringing over a decade of coaching expertise and more than two decades of facilitation experience to her role. Specializing in coaching leaders across diverse sectors, including Fortune 100 companies, private enterprises, consulting firms, government agencies, small businesses, and startups, Nancy has made a significant impact in cultivating effective leadership.
As a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, Nancy draws on the transformative principles of Dr. Brené Brown's empirically based courage-building program, Dare to Lead™. Her commitment to fostering courage and authenticity in leadership positions her as a sought-after professional in the coaching realm.
Nancy began her career as an engineer for NASA. After completing her Masters, Nancy transitioned to developing engineering managers. She expanded her career into Leadership Development, Organizational Development, and Executive Coaching.
Having worked with clients such as NASA, NOAA, NIH, Department of the Interior, Kimley-Horn, Chief, BetterUp, SkillSoft, ASRC Federal, Northrup Grumman, and more, Nancy brings a wealth of experience and insight to her coaching practice.
Nancy holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland and an MA in Instructional Systems Development from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is an avid paddleboarder and actively contributes to the community by serving on the board of the Live Water Foundation in Annapolis, MD. The foundation facilitates watersports programs to support veterans, underprivileged and disabled youth, and advocates for clean water education.
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Christopher Martin
Christopher‘s eclectic background, engaging personality, and empathetic approach equip him to be a dynamic business coach. He is entrepreneurial and yet has served in many organizational roles. Retired from the US Army, he founded and ran his own executive protection firm, Loriakin Seven Protection, for a decade and has been a consultant, teacher, and business development executive.
Christopher has strong leadership skills. He has operated in high-stress, volatile situations in complex, ambiguous environments. He has shown discretion, finesse, and confidentiality in dealing with leaders in boardrooms and government-secured facilities.
Christopher earned his Bachelors in Criminal Justice from University of Maryland Global Campus. After his Army career, he earned his MBA from the University of Maryland – Robert H. Smith School of Business, focusing on entrepreneurship, international business, and emerging markets. He was involved with the DC I-Corps Federal Tech Venture program, Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship Jumpstart Workshop, and, in South Africa, Studying Abroad Emerging Global Markets Program.
Christopher’s pursuits include being an athlete - he played baseball in college and rugby in the Army and now plays with his local rugby club - and, as an Eagle Scout and Assistant Scoutmaster, helping the next generation gain skills in leadership and problem-solving and to develop the work ethic needed to become productive adults.
Christopher’s family is his number one priority: he seeks to exemplify a “team first” mentality for his children.
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Leigh Hamilton
Leigh is Forrest Consulting’s virtual assistant. Her Ohio-based firm is Victoria Leigh & Co., LLC, which provides general administrative and creative services to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Leigh earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from The Ohio State University.
Leigh began her VA business to help other businesses achieve their goals as well as to help create the life that she and her husband want. They recently became new parents.
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WE BUILD SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS.
We can help you achieve more. How are we different? Why should you care?
Strategic view.
We take the strategic view when we counsel and coach you and offer solutions.
Expertise.
Founder Lee Crumbaugh and our talented advisors offer you deep and affordable management and specialist expertise.
Results.
We assure that your strategies get results and move you toward your vision.
Meet your need.
To meet specific client needs, we source and manage our team of advisors on a per assignment basis.
Good decisions.
We understand that success starts with good decisions – and we help you make them.
Impact.
We focus our time and resources to make the greatest impact on your needs, objectives and goals.
Answers.
We provide tailored, high value, cost-effective answers – not cookie cutter approaches.
Affordable.
By shedding unnecessary overhead and moving to virtual operations, we can offer you high-value services for less.
Words from those who know us
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"...Forrest Consulting, its principal Lee Crumbaugh, and consultant Tom Drouin...conducted a SWOT analysis for The DuPage Foundation as part of its strategic planning initiative. It was a pleasure to work with Lee and Tom. They are knowledgeable, reliable, affordable, easy and fun to work with. Lee and Tom conducted an electronic survey as well as many in-person surveys. Their report was very easy to follow and visually appealing. Their presentation at the Board retreat was extremely professional and very well received. I highly recommend Forrest Consulting. In fact, we were so impressed with their work, we rehired them for another project."
David M. McGowan, CFRE, President, The DuPage Foundation (retired)
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“When I started my business I thought I would get a couple of clients and then find a real job. But my business grew. Suddenly I found myself having to hire employees, create processes and develop a strategy. I turned to Lee Crumbaugh and he helped me more than I can tell you. Meeting with him one on one each week gives me the opportunity to work on my business instead of in it. He holds me accountable to my goals and guides me toward them. I cannot say enough about Lee and the good he has done for my business.”
Ann Brennan, CEO of ASMM Digital, and Co-founder of Burgers & Bands for Suicide Prevention
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"Lee has two strong suits - detail orientated and ability to communicate with people. He has that free flowing personality, with the emphasis of making others feel at ease. Lee's skill set and different positions he has held...serve him well. He is the individual that will put the time in to be successful. And, maybe most important to me, he will choose to do the right thing .... with regards to business ethics decisions."
Jim Spivey, 1500m / 1500m / 5000m runner, USA Olympic Teams 1984, 1992, 1996; ASICS America, College Teams Sales.
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"Lee Crumbaugh is one of the most amazing, skilled and insightful consultants I have ever hired. In fact, many of his strategic planning materials are still in my possession and reviewed - 18 years later!"
John J. Sygielski, Former Director, College of DuPage Business & Professional Institute; President, Harrisburg Area Community College; Past Chair, American Association of Community Colleges.
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“I worked for several years with Lee in his capacity as COO at United Way. Lee demonstrated keen insight, strategic vision and sound leadership. He was very much on top of his business and it was a pleasure to work with him.”
Andy Taylor, Principal at Whetstone Strategic Marketing
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“…the folks from Forrest Consulting, did a fabulous job walking taking The Association for Challenge Course Technology through an extensive Strategic Planning process in 2013! Very fun, energetic, candid, directional, and helpful!"
Michelle Hepler, former Parks and Recreation Director at Iredell County Parks and Recreation Department, now Executive Director, Rescue Ranch, Inc.
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"My writing business tripled while he coached me. Lee is an excellent listener who had a great grasp on my motivations and directions. From there he was able to help me understand how to let go of the extraneous and reach for what is really important in my business. He knew when to prod me and when to praise me. He helped me see the tracks to run my business on and gave me ideas and directions that should sustain me for years to come."
Chuck MacDonald, Director at Words Matter
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“Lee and I worked together at Continental Bank, Chicago, during challenging times, after the FDIC brought in new management. During the time Lee led marketing communications, he reorganized and re-staffed the function, as the company redefined how it communicated internally and externally. I heartily recommend Lee for his strategic thinking, planning, marketing and communications expertise.”
Ted McDougal, President, EPM Business Communications
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“I have been a member of Lee's 2nd Thursday Business Consulting group about 18 months now and I would highly recommend it to any entrepreneur looking to grow their business. Lee provides amazing guidance on business plans, budgeting, strategic plans and much much more. He is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to helping you to plan out your business and is great at helping you trouble-shoot when you are feeling stuck. Definitely have a virtual coffee with Lee to get to know him and you'll quickly understand what I am talking about and you will want to sign up for his coaching either one on one or group format!"
Michelle Burke, Owner, Health & Taxes, LLC
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"I quite enjoy working with Lee Crumbaugh. He is an amazing presenter, coach and strategist. I am a member of one of Lee's many accountability groups. The weekly checkups and monthly group sessions have really helped out. I also have been in the audience for more than a dozen of Lee's professional workshops. He is thorough and his seminars are chocked full of facts and information. He's even written a book about strategy! Having a one hour coffee with Lee can easily change the trajectory of your business."
Owner/Partner, Hawk Marketing Services
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"Lee is a kind spirit who was so wonderful in working with me in a tough transitional time in my professional career. He kept my wandering mind focused, and aided my efforts in my eventual pivoting away from a long time career. Lee does something that is very hard to do. He has an ease in his nature, is a wonderful and engaged listener and is so good at picking his spots to give advice and help you grow towards a decision or vision for your future. That is an incredible talent. I am lucky to have met and worked with Lee!"
Adam Pohl, Director of Membership, Central Maryland Chamber; Play-by-Play Broadcaster; Sports Update Anchor
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“If you are having a hard time getting off of first base with your business I suggest working with Lee. At Stoutgear we are working with him and a group of 5 others. With the help of many minds we have all developed our businesses, especially in this COVID environment. I am excited to see how we come out of Staying in Place.”
Lorie Stout, Operations Manager at STOUTgear
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“...I've known and worked with Lee for 30 years now. The first project was development of a computer course requiring writing and organization skills, great teaching sense and attention to technical detail. The most recent project was more strategic in nature, helping me analyze a potential magazine acquisition. Lee put his finger on a weakness I hadn't thought about, thus saving me from financial disaster.”
Lee McFadden, retired CEO, Mosaic Media, Inc.
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“Lee is one of the people that truly makes an impact and difference in the world. If you are looking for a solid action plan and want to get focused Lee is your person. If you have known Lee for more than 5 minutes you know you are blessed to have him be part of your team to grow in right direction. He will disturb you when you are comfortable and task you with becoming a better version of you.”
C. Anne Manchester, Sales Manager, Southern Trust Mortgage
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“Lee is a world-class leader. He is exceptionally bright. He is inspirational and persuasive. His strongest talent is in bringing together top minds with differing viewpoints, tapping into their wisdom, and creating passion and collaboration around a core vision and approach. He understand that change is a process - and he has an incredible talent for knowing when and how best to introduce the right interventions to optimize both short-term and long-term results.”
David Willden, CEO | COO - Builder of high performing organizations. Author of best-seller Creating You Inc.
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“Lee Crumbaugh is one in a million. His diverse professional background is very evident as a problem solver, and facilitator. Lee is a driven individual with complete focus on the individual. I have attended strategic planning sessions with him where he was able to uncover options that were not considered before. He is also fun to work with! Would highly recommend you consider Lee when the need arises.”
Jim Procaccini, Agent at US Health Advisors
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“During my service as a volunteer leader with the American Fence Association I had the opportunity to work with Lee on numerous committee and task force projects. These projects ranged from the first AFA Voice trade show newspaper to a new and exciting Membership Development and Retention program. Lee's wide range of expertise, creative thinking and willingness to listen to my input was invaluable in the design and implementation of the various programs created to aid the American Fence Association in fulfilling its Mission Statement.”
Phillip Doyle, CFP, CAGOI, CAGSD, Owner at PHILLIPS Automated Gate Service and Fence Company
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“Working with Lee was always a pleasure. He was knowledgeable and consistently responsive. You knew that he would actively listen and use his analytical skills to help you assess a problem and work to solve it.”
Val Plomin, President at Active Solutions & Knowledge Consulting
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“Lee Crumbaugh is creative, entrepreneurial, diplomatic, a great communicator, and provides inspiring leadership to his colleagues.”
Gordon T. Johnson, Nonprofit Professional, Executive, Fundraiser, Human Trafficking Victim Advocacy
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“Lee was my first magazine editor and taught me more than I can recount in this short space. I am still using lessons and talents he imparted to me and I often make decisions for my editorial staff by asking myself 'what would Lee have done?" He is a constant idea generator and strategic thinker, a team builder and team leader and someone who I would want to advise me in business matters.”
John N. Frank, Founder, Evanston 2nd Act Players; Freelance Journalist, content provider
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“Lee is a thoughtful and thorough business strategist and an effective facilitator. He provides wide-ranging insight to identify and resolve operational and management issues.”
Erik Ford, Principal, Ford Wealth Management LLC.