2024 Keynote Speakers
James Lawrence
Known as The Iron Cowboy for the signature cowboy hat he wears while running races so his five kids can see him coming from far away, James Lawrence is an ultra-endurance athlete who has pushed himself beyond what many doctors previously believed to be physiologically possible. In so doing, he has redefined both mental toughness and physical endurance.
Originally a high school wrestler, James spent a decade in the mortgage and finance business before losing it all in the financial crisis of 2008. At rock bottom, his career as the greatest endurance athlete on the planet started quite humbly, struggling to complete a local 4-mile fun run with his wife, Sunny. Inspired by that experience, on that day he learned a lesson that has served him well ever since.
Today, James is one of the most dynamic, inspiring, larger-than-life keynote speakers in the world, having shared his astonishing story in 50 different countries across the globe reaching millions of people. He is a best-selling author and the subject of a critically acclaimed feature film. He continues to redefine the impossible in his own life, while teaching audiences around the world to do the same in their own lives.
Mike Lipsey
Michael J. Lipsey, President of The Lipsey Company, is nationally and internationally recognized as the leader in training and consulting for the commercial real estate industry.
Mr. Lipsey’s keen insight into the business of commercial real estate spans over forty years of active involvement in the industry.
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He’s developed over 191 Courses such as: The Business Development Machine; Team Brokerage; Presentations that Win; Win More Tenant Rep Assignments; Performance Leasing; Quantum Sales and Leasing; and Systems for Success 10.0 (The Lipsey Company’s downloadable video training series); Tenants or Guests; Leadership in Sales & Leasing; and The Psychology of Real Estate Negotiating which have helped establish him as the international leader in training in Commercial Real Estate.
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Several of Mr. Lipsey’s training programs are industry standards such as BOMA’s Boot Camp, a series of training programs created for Property Managers and Asset Managers, and IFMA’s FM 101, 201 and 301 series, developed to prepare Facility Managers, middle management, and board-room participants for a successful career in facilities management. Mike Lipsey has often been published in Corporate Real Estate Executive, SIOR’s Professional Report and NAIOP’s Development. He is also a very popular and much sought-after Keynote Speaker at industry and association banquets, conventions, and national meetings, and has appeared on several Commercial Real Estate radio shows.
Chris Kuehl
Dr. Chris Kuehl serves as Armada’s Chief Economist working with a wide variety of private clients and professional associations over the last 21 years. He serves as the Chief Economist for several national business associations. He is also the Economic Analyst for the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association and writes their bi-weekly publication, Fabrinomics, which details the impact of economic trends on manufacturers.
Chris is one of the chief editors for the Armada Flagship Brief, which hits several thousand business executives three times a week. As a popular keynote speaker, he makes approximately 100 presentations each year to business and industry associations in the US and overseas.
Chris has a doctorate in Political Economics and advanced degrees in Soviet Studies and Asian Studies and was a professor of international economics and finance for over 15 years prior to starting Armada.