Biography
William D. (WD) Smith III
As a self starter, WD went to work at age 14 determined to do something that would help him find his own way and provide a source of income for his hobbies. Developing an acute awareness of customer needs he continually worked to provide excellent service and develop his communication skills through many early job choices.
After graduating from the University of Texas, Austin in 1992 he joined the chemical industry and worked hard to refine his skills and create new ways to meet the needs of customers through relationship building and sustaining service quality. These skills would guide him through the next 6 years of his career. Leaving the chemical industry he took on the role of Inside Sales manager and developed his customer service and management skills along with leadership style.
Prior to joining the ranks of Catalyst he moved into the technology area to handle several roles of organizational work including operations management and technical support, all furthering his ability to work with customers, and clients, develop relationships, and create an environment of service and quality.
Joining Catalyst Training & Development he assumed the role of trainer, a skill he had used many times in the past but was never formally titled as such. He developed the course Exceptional Customer Service and began delivering the material to several clients around the Houston area. Assuming the role of President of Catalyst in February 2005 he has continually demonstrated that his heart lies in taking care of the customer, students and co-workers. The mission of Catalyst is internal to his way of leading and training.
Recently he became a Certified Master Trainer (CMT) and distributor of a powerful product called Brain Mode power TM. Catalyst delivers and incorporates BMp in several formats and has seen substantial learning advantages while using the product.
His upcoming engagements include the Small-Medium Business (SMB) Diversity Action Council in 2005 and the Texas Court Clerks Association in October 2006. His time is spent in the classroom providing motivational courses on presenting, effective customer service and effective communication.
Barbara J. Petry
Barbara J. Petry had been training individuals and organizations on presentation skills since the mid eighties. Her experience as a top sales manager in the radio broadcast industry, as well as her speaking ability, had provided her with the life lessons and training to create her outstanding courses for Catalyst. Speaking for Success was created when she realized that no other training classes offered the tools and insider tips that she had amassed during her career.
After developing the class it quickly became popular for those wanting to increase their skill level; the side benefit was that attendees were recognized as being more professional, more knowledgeable and better prepared for job task. She included her own life’s lessons, real world examples and hard facts from some of the top research studies of the time. Barbara’s style in the front of the room was always energetic and inclusive of all participants. She put a piece of her soul into every portion of the class and participants always left with a deeper understanding of their own style and how they affect the world in which they do business.
Understanding the time demands of busy professionals, Petry made sure that each course was powerful, broken down into simple modules, that the atmosphere was relaxed and appropriate for adults. She believed that to learn in any environment, individuals must be supported and be allowed to support themselves. Positive coaching techniques are just a piece of the support given in her courses but it returns the greatest benefits from those learning.
Barbara Petry was not only the founder of Catalyst Training and Development and the driving force that directed the course content, she was also a trainer. She had spent years in the front of the room and her experiences were always included to make training real and timely. A trait she passed along to her son.
She also made part of her living off crime – she was a mystery author and routinely spoke to large groups on her writing and on how others can further their writing career. Her Purple Sage series from St. Martins Press had given her acclaim as an author and public speaker. Her first book in a new series came out in January of 2004 from Berkley , Bantam.
As president of Sisters in Crime, mystery writer’s organization, she presided over large conferences, speaking engagements, and many meetings, all adding to her effectiveness in communication and her knowledge. Traveling around the country to present and train she also used real world examples from other business cultures and processes to enhance the course material in Catalyst.
To find out more about the exciting courses or specific content presentations contact Catalyst Training & Development for information. Follow the links below to her Purple Sage website and her memorial page. You will also find reviews of her books and a previous interview with the author.
PURPLESAGETEXAS.COM
