As Founder and CEO of Forward Progress, Dean leads his core team to provide digital influencer marketing solutions, serving over 2,000 corporate clients for the past 15 years. In 2015 Dean created and released a Social “Team Based” Education platform known as Social Jack™, and they have successfully trained over 100,000 professionals on Social Selling and B2B Influencer Marketing. Their curriculum is used globally by Fortune 500 companies, Associations, Conferences and Universities to instill best practices related to the effective use of social networks. Dean enjoys time with his family, and yes, some of that family time is spent in the dōjō: Dean and his son are both 3rd degree black belts in Tae Kwon Do. He and his family also enjoy supporting community.

"It's Kind of fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney

Rick Sherman has spent his 25 year career in the graphic arts and marketing, and he has successfully blended entrepreneurial ingenuity with corporate practicality. He effectively created a campaign for both B2C and B2B models across multiple industries: Education, Real Estate, Technology, Finance, and Manufacturing. With Forward Progress, Rick has helped develop and execute the integrated Rapid Launch Plan, designed to achieve rapid sales growth and response, and he has seen it successfully implemented across multiple business sectors. Rick’s experience encompasses every aspect of the marketing and production process.

Joe is a serial entrepreneur leveraging over 12 years of web development and business experience to help clients achieve their goals and build their business.  In joining the Forward Progress team of professional visionaries Joe specializes in web development, online advertising, and search engine marketing.  Joe takes great pride in being a part of an exceptional team helping clients reach their sales and marketing goals.  In his free time Joe enjoys being outdoors, boating, and traveling.  Joe is an avid consumer of technology news and loves the newest gadgets. 

"Where there's a will, there's a way."

Jackson has always been a production-enthusiast - with a passion for digital marketing stemming from childhood, he made it a priority to leverage and improve video strategies for his clients. For over 6 years, he has demonstrated the ability to effectively coach clients on building and maintaining their Influence on social media, as well as oversee the production of Social Jack’s live Influencer streaming programs such as monthly Flash Classes, webinars, and the weekly webcast/podcast, Influence Factory, which he was an integral part of creating.

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrific, and most of all, love of what you are doing.”  - Pele

Holly A. DeLisle is the Senior Manager at Forward Progress in charge of all financial aspects of the company. Holly has been involved in accounting and customer service with two key companies over the last 20 years. She first started her role at Delcom Systems Group Inc. as an owner involved in accounting and customer service, and she managed 22 employees.

In 2005 Holly made the move to Forward Progress to head up the accounting and human resource functions. She currently has set up the systems for the company that involves the following: Accounting, Invoicing, Accounts Payable, Benefit Analysis, Recruiting, Human Resoources, and Customer Service. She also coordinates all the key events for the company. She currently is also the PTA President for her sons Middle School in Indiana.

Paul has over 15 years of experience in providing design, development, and implementation of customized CRM applications, integrated web applications, and online marketing systems to medium and enterprise level businesses. He has been involved in managing all aspects of various projects from concept to delivery as well as hands on application development on a wide variety of platforms, mainly involving client/server architecture. He has managed specialties including systems/data integration, workflow automation, reporting services via extensive experience in database server administration, third party API utilization, and various reporting platforms. He is the lead developer on several multi-million dollar custom online payment web applications, requiring in-depth understanding of online data validation, integrity, and security. Other duties include end user technical support and training on all custom solutions.

Brett has used social media throughout his life and is excited take it to the next step by using it for business. He studies at DePaul University as a hard-working and determined student. He also loves working with people and learning new things every day. On his free time, Brett can be found at a movie theater, playing tennis, or relaxing at the local coffee shop.

“Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive.”

Monica came to us from New York, has a demonstrated history in fashion, branding management, content marketing, event planning, creating pop-up shop experiences in significant hubs on the east coast, collaborating on high profile campaigns related to fashion, charities, finance, banking, mortgage, & real estate. She is a passionate person who loves bringing an idea to life and helping your brand grow! Monica is a snowboarder AND a world traveler who has been to 17 countries. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and entertaining, spending time with family & friends, collaborating ideas, fitness, & her favorite take out is Chinese on Sundays. As she starts a new chapter in Chicago, she's excited to continue to grow and develop knowledge in this industry.

"You have to be fearless to have success." - Serena Williams

Parker is a hardworking individual and plays a big part in the Scouting ad drafting process as well as the Influence Factory.  He is attending Purdue University Northwest and majoring in Computer Information Systems.  Parker is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done right.  When not at school or in the office, Parker likes to go see local theater groups perform. 

Alex is enthusiastic to be apart of the Social Jack team as an intern.  He is a dedicated student and employee who plays an active role in his high school’s theater program.  Alex displays leadership through his acting and directing experience.  He also enjoys helping the community by volunteering as a member of The National Honor Society.  In the future Alex hopes to attend Purdue University and earn a degree in Education, but for now he spends his free time writing stories and hanging out with friends. 

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take -Wayne Gretzky”   -Michael Scott

Justice is a dedicated and team oriented individual who loves to help others. He is a Hudson and Holland scholar at Indiana University Bloomington studying Sport Marketing and Management. He is on the executive board of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, and is a member of the club: Oasis for Orphans, where he founded his passion of helping others. He has grown up with social media and has used it for the better part of his life. He is very excited to be apart of the Social Jack Team. When he’s not in school or working, he enjoys watching hockey and enjoys television shows like Billions, Big Brother, and Suits.

"I'd rather regret the things I did, than the things I never tried"
-Ryan Serhant

Sam is a sophomore at Iowa State University studying public relations. On campus, she is involved with the Student Union Board, Rotaract Club, Revival Magazine, and is a proud member of Alpha Gamma Delta Women's Fraternity. She is a firm supporter of authenticity, boldness and paying attention to detail. Sam is also an avid dog lover, candy aficionado, and believer that Ikea is the greatest store on earth.

"I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being, just as you are--or, at all events, that I must try and become one." -Henrik Ibsen

Morgan Fentress is a Customer Service Representative for Forward Progress & Social Jack. She developed her stellar communication and interpersonal skills from her 7 years within the hotel industry. Combined with her communication and interpersonal skills, her 10 years of social media expertise made her well-versed in professional and personal dialogue. These skills have lead to her plunging into the ultimate social experience by providing support to inbound influencers within Social Jack. Aside from work, she enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her loved ones, and is a huge animal lover that enjoys making yummy vegetarian meals. Morgan has a passion for assisting others and is driven to continually learn new skills.

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
Confucius - a Chinese philosopher

Emily is the Content and Marketing Coordinator at Social Jack and an Iowa State University Alumna. Emily has a background in social media content generation, graphic design, event management and media management. She makes sure content inventory is organized, media deadlines are met, and quality control is in place. Emily has a love for travel, Chicago & Iowa State sports teams, photography, writing, nature conservation, movies and overpriced iced coffee. She is passionate about using creativity to connect and communicate with people, and views social media as a creative and fun, yet essential way, to share a story.

"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere." - Carl Sagan

Kyle is a Sophomore at the University of Kentucky studying Marketing and Management and a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. In his free time, Kyle exemplifies his passion for sports by coaching youth basketball and football in his hometown of Wauconda, Illinois. When he is not in school or coaching, he likes watching football, basketball, baseball and The Office.

“If you are afraid to fail, you will never do the things you are capable of doing” -John Wooden

Keagan is a Junior at DePaul University studying advertising and public relations. She is a proud member of her business fraternity, Pi Gamma Epsilon, where she serves as the VP of public relations. Keagan thrives in work environment filled will goal-oriented, compassionate, and intentional people. Positivity is key in Keagan’s eyes. In her free time, she loves to go home to Michigan and camp. You can always on the hunt for sour candy in any shape or form.

“My head is my home.” -Bob Marley

Frances is born and raised in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago. She is currently a Senior at DePaul University studying for her bachelor’s degree of science in Marketing. While studying at DePaul she also holds an executive board position at Pi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity where she can continue to grow in her professional career. She loves to travel and recently came back from study abroad in Australia where she learned that she enjoys meeting new people. Another hobby of hers is to explore different kinds of cuisines and her love of food has inspired her to create a food Instagram account, which has led her to pursue her future career into social media/ digital marketing.

“There are secret opportunities hidden inside every failure.” ― Sophia Amoruso

Liz is a Junior at DePaul University, pursuing a degree in Marketing with a minor in Management. At DePaul, she proudly serves as the VP of Marketing for her business fraternity, Pi Gamma Epsilon and as VP of the Women’s Club Basketball team. When Liz isn’t on campus or in the office, you can find her exploring the outdoors, daydreaming about pizza, or finding new coffee shops around town.

“Now, each of us has his own special gift, and you know this was meant to be true. And if you don’t underestimate me, I won’t underestimate you.”

- Bob Dylan