Ron Wacks

Ron P. Wacks, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, has spent many years working in organizational development and improvement, advocacy, program and partnership development, entrepreneurial education, and youth centered initiatives including serving on 27 Boards and Commissions.

This led Ron to write a definitive book, "Power Networking: How to Solve any Problem by Connecting with the Right Person" that he uses as a guide in his workshops and international consulting. He also offers "Basic Networking: The Fundamentals of Building Your Network" and versions for professional women, business and government leaders, college students and alums, and high school business & entrepreneurial students.

Ron was recognized for his Networking expertise by the Aspen Institute in Washington D.C. in its Best Practice Guide for entrepreneurial service providers called, "Staying Connected: Building Entrepreneurial Networks". The U.S. Small Business Administration recognized Ron for his work with microbusinesses and entrepreneurs by awarding him an Advocate of the Year award for Minnesota and the Midwest Region.

Ron is the CEO of Microbusiness Strategies, producer of the “IssuesLive” national forum series, and spoke at a Global Innovation Conference of 84 member countries in Budapest, Hungary where he represented the U.S. and was the first American speaker in their 39-year history. Ron served for eight years as President/CEO of the American Association of Microbusinesses and is currently engaged in two major US-China initiatives. Ron works on microbusiness/small business priority issues, research and policy development, regional economic development, and does diverse Networking training. Ron has authored hundreds of articles and is a quoted national microbusiness and networking leader.

Ron is also a trained chef and lives in Minneapolis with his daughter who started her own business just before turning nine. She is an avid debater, debate coach, musician, community activist and creative force. She attends the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.