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Gary Harpst has a unique ability to solve business problems. He has spent his life integrating new ideas and existing best practices to create real-world business improvements.

He began working in his family business at age of 8. Later, he co-founded Solomon Software, which grew to more than 400 employees, serving 60,000 businesses worldwide. Solomon was purchased by a competitor and ultimately Microsoft. Later Gary established another company, Plumbline Solutions, as a joint project with Microsoft.

In 2000, Gary founded Six Disciplines, with the goal of revolutionizing strategy execution management in small and midsized businesses. The result, after 100 man-years of field development is Six Disciplines®, the first complete strategy execution program.

The underlying methodology is documented in his award-winning handbook, Six Disciplines for Excellence. His latest book, Six Disciplines Execution Revolution, was recently named to the The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today and BusinessWeek bestseller lists. In Six Disciplines Execution Revolution, Gary details the elements of a complete strategy execution program, explains why it couldn't have happened until now, and clarifies why such a program will become a mainstream requirement for all successful small and midsized businesses. Gary received a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a Computer Science major in 1972, and a Masters degree in Business Administration with a Computer Science specialization in 1976 - both from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Following several years working for the Ohio State University and for Marathon Oil in Findlay, Gary became the co-founder and CEO of Solomon Software, Inc., (originally named TLB, Inc.) headquartered in Findlay, Ohio. From 1980 through 2000, Solomon Software grew to more than 400 employees, selling to more than 60,000 customers worldwide. Solomon was sold to Great Plains Software in 2000, which later acquired by Microsoft Corporation in 2001. Today, the Solomon product is sold and supported as Microsoft® Dynamics SL.

Gary has been included in Accounting Today magazine's Top 100 Influential People in Accounting from 1995 thru 2000. He was also a finalist in Ernst & Young's "Entrepreneur of the Year" award in 1999. In 2001, Gary received an honorary doctorate from the University of Findlay for Business Entrepreneurship. Most recently, Gary received the "2004 Small Business Advocate of the Year Award" from the Findlay/Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.

A native of Findlay, Ohio, Gary is on the Board of Directors for a number of organizations. Gary has also been very active in teaching biblical principles for everyday living as an Elder at the St. John Mennonite Church. He is passionate about integrating his faith in Jesus Christ into all of life and especially business. Gary's best friend and life partner is his wife, Rhonda. They are raising three unique children: James, Anna and Jordan.

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