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Profession/business: Founder and chief learning officer of Cook Ross Inc. of Silver Spring. "Cook Ross began in 1989 in partnership with Dottie Cook. Previously, I was doing consulting work and felt a strong desire to create a team to be able to expand our ability to serve clients. Our work is about helping organizations be successful ... about creating work environments in which people can really thrive. When people thrive, organizations thrive. On one project, we were asked to help a health care system that had been struggling with internal conflict. Labor conflicts had closed this particular hospital four times in seven years. Cook Ross conducted an organizational assessment and identified the areas where the system was floundering. We helped them create relationships with community groups that helped the hospital better understand their needs and for diverse stakeholders in the community to better understand the hospital. In a three-year period, they went from last to first in their marketplace."

Age: 59.

Residence: Silver Spring.

Family: Leslie Traub, wife and business partner; four sons; four granddaughters.

Hobbies: "I love to garden and work outdoors on our small farm in Middletown, Va. I also enjoy singing and playing the guitar."

Last book read: "The Case for God" by Karen Armstrong. "This amazing book brought me into a closer understanding of the foundations of religious and spiritual beliefs."

Last movie seen: "Avatar."

Next vacation spot: Republic of Singapore. "I am speaking at a global conference on diversity and look forward to staying a few extra days to expand my cultural horizons."

Latest accomplishment: "In 2009, Leslie and I celebrated the 20th anniversary of Cook Ross. We feel proud and privileged to have been able to support organizational transformation and cultural competency for two decades."

How he keeps fresh ideas coming: "Leslie and I are fortunate to work in such a way that requires constant engagement and dialogue with people and ideas. Our work in organizational culture change and leadership development requires an ability to truly listen to what people are saying and not saying."

Quote: "The outward form of things passes away, but the essence remains forever. How long will you be besotted with the shape of the jug? Cast aside the jug, and seek the water. If you look too closely at the form, you miss the essence. If you are wise, you will always pick out the pearl from the shell." — Rumi, in "Masnavi."