Professional Life
For 18 years, I have been involved in all phases of the business development process, including sales and marketing, product development, business market analysis, capital fund raising, and communications. My extensive experience gives me deep insight into what it takes to launch and sustain a company in today’s tough climate.
I began my career at the center of technological innovation: Silicon Valley. With a passion to learn business and create effective business solutions, I helped start Litwin-Brink Advertising & Design during the infancy of the internet. With a background in communications and media, and a love for the entrepreneurial spirit, I launched the company into a resounding success, growing the business 100% for five straight years.
Working with a wide range of clients including IBM, Sony, and HP, I helped each customer realize the business objectives by listening intently, creating real-world solutions, and working hard. I continually developed improvement processes to meet the customer’s needs in a cost-effective way.
I would then go on to help found several other start-ups including Artmetropolis, Innovasource, and Generate Technologies. These opportunities allowed me to start the non-profit Thrive, serving other non-profits in a leadership and community development role. In each case, I served my clients with passion and enthusiasm. My love for helping people is evident in everything I do.
I am also passionate about continuing to learn. I hold an MA in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, one of the most respected universities in the Northwest. I also spent three years in the V Group, an ongoing professional business network focused on the fundamentals and practices of intelligent business design.
Before starting my first company, I also spent four years involved in project development for commercial houses in Hollywood. I worked as part of a team responsible for production of over 75 commercials, including Coca-Cola, Ford Motors, and Folgers Coffee.
Personal Life
I am an author, coach, and publishing consultant. I am the author of the recently published, Discovering the God Imagination. I currently serve as Senior Editor for Civitas Press, a boutique publishing firm specializing in inspiring and redemptive ideas. I am developing a new model for publishing and seek to create new opportunities for fresh and creative voices.
Occasionally, I speak on issues of justice, postmodern theology, and living a life in the way of Jesus. I leads workshops on The Practice of Love and Exploring a Postmodern Gospel at BeADisciple.com.
I also serve on the leadership team for Transform, a missional community transformation network. The purpose of Transform is to bring together men and women who are on the verge of starting new communities (i.e., community catalysts) or are already cultivating new communities and to give them the encouragement and resources they need to get started and be sustainable
I am a son, a husband, and a father. I live in Folsom, Ca, with my beautiful wife and amazing three children. I thank my Father every day for them. I’ve finally come to realize the value of relationship and cherish the one’s I have, especially my brothers in the journey. I have a BA in Bible from William Jessup University and an MA in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.
You can reach me at jb_at_thriven_dot_org.
