“To me I am what I think, to the world I am what I do.”
Connier Nordan
These people are listed here for purposes of credibility and experiences only, not for accolades or make me look entitled. My life was on the other end of entitlement. I was driven to accomplish and overcome the experiences around my environments of the past.
The people listed have trusted me or communicated with me for greater insight to help themselves, others, and to help myself. There is no self-made–the word is a misnomer.
No one ever became more without feeling loss, or without help from someone else. I value each one of them today. -Connier Nordan
Harry Sonneborn is the reason McDonalds Corporation is the mammoth company and top real estate investors today. He was the first CEO and President of McDonalds as shown in the movie The Founder. Harry Sonneborn convinced Ray Kroc he was not in the hamburger business, he instead was in the real estate business. Harry Sonnerborn devised the Franchise system differently for Ray Kroc. Ray Kroc was quoted as saying Harry Sonneborn was the person responsible for McDonalds success since its inception.
Mr. Sonneborn’s wife Aloyis hired Connier to take care of Mr. Sonneborn in his last days while he was ill. Connier said the lessons from this experience were diverse and personal, and the challenge made him wiser. Connier considers Harry Sonneborn the Father of Franchising and Business Growth.
Tommy Nobis was a friend of Connier’s family and gave Connier some personal advice when he played. He, also was a five-time NFL All-Pro with the at Linebacker, inducted in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and selected in a United States poll by ABC for best athlete of the decade of the 60s. He was voted number 2, only second to OJ Simpson. He lead the Atlanta Falcons team in tackles in 9 of 11 seasons and was dubbed Mr. Falcon. Mr. Nobis never made the money they pay the players today.
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/history/ring-of-honor/tommy-nobis.html
Connier met with Tommy Nobis Center in Atlanta founded to directly empower youth and adults with mental and physical challenges, while helping them find a career and employment. Tommy Nobis dissuaded Connier from playing pro football after Connier’s diagnosis of sarcoidosis and questioning the safety of the game. Tommy Nobis loved the game of football, and he used it to give forward and leave a legacy.
nobisworks.org
Jack Crowe recruited Connier to play college football early in his career.
Bill Burgess (Hall of Fame Coach) and Jack Crowe came to Connier’s home to dissuade him from the larger schools.
Jack Crowe selected Connier to work with him at Jacksonville State University in mentoring them for life and productivity. Jack Crowe was known for his intelligence as much as his coaching.
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2013/01/28/exp-point-crowe-football.cnn.html
Jack Crowe interviewed on CNN
David Garfrerick, former Naval Fighter Pilot and current owner of Garfrerick Cafe and Farm offered Connier an opportunity to work on his farm needing help to drive stakes, plant seeds, till dirt, and sprout seed. Connier says David is a great leader and a patient man. Today, when Connier is in Alabama he stops by and visits while of course eating wholesome and delicious regenerative farmed food.
https://www.garfrericks.com/the-farm
Dwight Hollier, former Vice President of Wellness and Clinical Services for the NFL, met with Connier to discuss possibilities of working with players. Mr. Hollier is now the Senior Associate Athletic Director at the University of North Carolina. He was a former NFL Linebacker for 9 years, and his college tenure was with the University of North Carolina.
The NFL and Dwight met with Connier and offered him an opportunity to speak at the National Rookie Symposium the NFL holds once per year.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/community/explorers/article147394569.html
Kathy Mulvany, VP of Corp. Affairs, Cisco, San Jose, CA, has been a business leader in social sustainability since graduating from Berkeley and working for Cisco in a leadership capacity. She attends the World Economic Forum annually, and has met many world leaders traveling Internationally. She has been featured in several media.
Connier consulted with Ms. Mulvany on many social and professional issues and considers her a professional and a friend.
“I was a product of the south. My early life consisted of hunting, fishing, and sports. Of course there is only one true sport in the south—football. Some of my earliest memories revolve around a football. It never seemed like it was an option if you were to play or not; it was expected.”
I was 38 years old, 285 pounds, divorced with two teens, and I wanted everyone to think that I had my life under control. But, like many today, I struggled while true happiness and peace were eluding me. Then, one day this guy walks into my office and slapped me in the face with a little reality. His name was Connier Nordan. As a former athlete, a health practitioner, dad, and community leader, it was time to stop diluting myself. This is where Connier exposed truths I never saw. My process included losing over 100 lbs, but more importantly I am a better person and a more productive practitioner.
“Sports, football in particular, teaches a developing young man a lot about himself and life. Pushing your body past what you thought possible and surviving. Fulfilling your role as an individual on a team and making personal sacrifices to get the win. It is a team sport based on individual development.”
Dr. Jason Pierce, Upper Cervical Specialist
Daphne, Alabama
https://www.facebook.com/Pierce-Specific-Chiropractic-PC-195036662650/
Connier met with Marcus Pollard in Jacksonville, Florida at the Jaguars stadium. Marcus played 14 seasons with the NFL on five different teams, and never played college football. He is originally from Alabama and is currently Director of Player Development for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
http://www.jaguars.com/team/football-staff/marcus-pollard.html
The United States Sports Academy awards Miriam Cabello of Austrialia with Sport Artist of the Year.
Cabello, an award winning artist, was recognized by the National Art Museum of Sport in Indianapolis, Ind.
Her “White Ropes” series was exhibited at the DUMBO Arts Festival in Brooklyn, N.Y., featuring Aboriginal boxing legends. In addition, Cabello was one of 25 international artists chosen to participate in the “Run with the Fire, London 2012 Olympics” arts project in 2011
(United States Sports Academy, 2014).
Miriam has a passion for depicting cultural messages through Sport Art.
https://research.unsw.edu.au/people/ms-miriam-luz-cabello
John Tricoli, President of Tephseal, home office Orlando, FL asked Connier to introduce his company to the Atlanta, GA region. Connier was the spearhead in getting Tephseal established in Atlanta, interviewing quality candidates, and improving organizational approaches and ethics. Connier was used periodically in other states to introduce Tephseal. Tephseal has since expanded across the country and is the largest company within its mission and kind.
tephseal.com/Home.aspx
Connier has also met with, or worked with the following:
Business
Brenda Cobb, cancer survivor and founder of The Living Foods Institute, Atlanta, GA.
Donald Trump, Tony Robbins, Brian Tracey and Hank Aaron, in Atlanta
Dr. Darin White, Executive Director, Center for Sports Analytics, Samford University, Birmingham, AL
Dr. Marion Guyer, Internal Medicine, Oakland, CA
Tommy Nobis Center, Atlanta
Harry Sonneborn, Original McDonalds’ CFO, Creator and Designer of McDonalds’ Franchises
John Tricoli, CEO and Founder of Tephseal, Orlando, FL
Kathy Mulvany, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Cisco, San Francisco Bay area
Miriam Cabello of Australia, awarded Sport Artist of the Year
Robert Korpas, Founder and CPA, ERK Financial Consultants, Glendale, CA
W.W. Gilman, Investor and Billionaire, North Carolina
Coaches
Coach Bill Burgess, Alabama Hall of Fame, Jacksonville State University, NCAA National Championship
Coach Charles Maniscalco, (Ret.) Catholic school Administrator, Former Offensive Coordinator, Jacksonville State University, NCAA National Championship
Coach Jack Crowe, CNN Interview, Former College Head & Asst. Coach in several major NCAA programs in the SEC
Coach Jim Washburn, NFL
Coach Joe D’Alessandris, NFL
Coach Mike Shula, NFL Off. Coord.- Carolina Panthers; former Univ. of AL head coach
Coach Steve Saverese, Alabama Athletic Association Director; former Daphne High Head Coach
Coach Josh Niblett, Hoover High of Birmingham Head Coach
Entertainment
Dan Blocker, Actor “Hoss” of Bonanza, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal
Dr. Raymond Moody, Oprah Show, Best Selling Author
Jim Vest and The Nashville Cats, Nashville, TN
Rick Burgess of “Rick and Bubba” Syndicated Radio Show, Birmingham, AL
Steve Valentine, Hollywood Publicist, Los Angeles, CA
Education
Dr. Richard Littleton, UAB Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction, Internal Evaluator; former Head Coach and coach with Bill Burgess
Dr. Fred Cromartie, Director of Doctoral Studies, United States Sports Academy
Dennis Frodsham, University of Chicago, Princeton University
Eric Stringer, Community and External Affairs, Gadsden State College, Former Auburn University Basketball Player
Law
University of Wake Forest Law School
University of North Carolina Law School
Samford University Law School
Chris Vlachos, University of Michigan and Attorney at Law
Military/Government
Colonel Jerry Autry, Two Purple Hearts and highest awarded Chaplain of the U.S. Army, Author, close family friend
Department of Commerce
Ft. McClellan and Development Program
General (Ret.) Mark Bowen
NFL
Dwight Hollier, VP of Wellness and Clinical Services for the NFL; former Director of NFL Transition; Former NFL Linebacker 9 Seasons
Marcus Pollard, Director of Player Development, Jacksonville Jaguars, Former NFL Tight-end 14 Seasons
Phil Savage, Senior Bowl Director, Former NFL General Manager of Cleveland Browns
Joe D’Alessandris, San Diego Chargers. Currently with the Baltimore Ravens
Jim Washburn former Defensive coach for multiple NFL teams
Kevin Greene, NFL Hall of Fame
Professional and NCAA Sports
University of Alabama Football
Clemson University Football
Florida State University Football and Athletics
UAB Football
Kenny Stabler, former NFL quarterback, Superbowl, NFL Hall of Fame
Jacksonville Jaguars Player Personnel
Jimmy Martin, former Crew Chief of Richard Petty
John Croyle, Founder of Big Oak Boys Ranch, Former Univ. of AL player National Championship team
Kyle Petty, Nascar Driver, son of Richard Petty
Richard Petty, Nascar Driver, Nascar Hall of Fame, Presidential Medal of Freedom
Tommy Nobis, Former NFL Middle Linebacker, Selected All-Pro 5 times, Outland Trophy, Maxwell Award, NFL All Decade Team,
Tommy Nobis is the Founder of Nobis Works Foundation and a family friend.
Connier Nordan 