John Horan-Kates has more than fifty years of experience in leadership roles in business, government, and nonprofit organizations. He was the founding president of the Vail Valley Foundation in the early '80s working directly with former president Gerald R. Ford to establish several international events and programs. Later, he founded the Vail Leadership Institute, offering programs for emerging community leaders. In 1994, John was named Vail Valley Citizen of the Year. He earned an undergraduate business degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, was an honors graduate from the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School, and received the Navy Commendation Medal for service in Vietnam aboard the USS Jennings County. He holds a certificate as a professional leadership coach from the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara and is a graduate of the Living School at the Center for Action & Contemplation. His most recent book is a memoir titled A Journey toward Surrender.