General Session speakers
Dynamic speakers enlighten and inspire
The General Sessions are the marquee events of the Capital Conference. Don't miss these presentations by these renowned keynote speakers. Monday's General Session speaker is leadership expert Mark Scharenbroich; "Remember the Titans" coaches Herman Boone and Bill Yoast will speak on Tuesday; and Olympian Dorothy Hamill will close the conference on Wednesday.
Mark Scharenbroich
Leadership expert
Monday, Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m.
A Mark Scharenbroich’s animated style, unconventional approach, spot-on humor and personal stories all focus on building relationships that create positive results.
His “Nice Bike” philosophy of praise and recognition connects people to people, administration to faculty, team member to team member, educator to student and student to student. The essence of his message is that improving school climate makes students and staff feel connected. When that happens, everyone grows and school performance improves.
Married to a former school board member, Scharenbroich’s reputation spans the globe. He has spoken in more than 3,000 school districts across the U.S. and Canada, as well as in nine other countries. He also has produced programs on school climate, leadership, character education and motivation, earning an Emmy Award and many other honors along the way. In May he finished his first book about the principles of Nice Bike, titled Nice Bike: Making Meaningful Connections on the Road of Life.
Scharenbroich combines the timing of a stand-up comic with powerful themes that resonate with his audiences. If you like laughing while learning — and want to find out more about his Nice Bike philosophy — this presentation is for you.
Monday’s General Session is sponsored by Pepple & Waggoner Ltd. and Ross, Sinclaire & Associates LLC.
Herman Boone and Bill Yoast
"Remember the Titians" coaches
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 10:30 a.m.
Coaches Herman Boone and Bill Yoast worked as one to unify a football team focusing on one common vision: to win. In 1971, they led the T.C. Williams High School Titans to an undefeated season and a Virginia state championship title, crossing racial boundaries and uniting a town during a time of national strife.
Their inspirational story was captured in the film, “Remember the Titans,” starring Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington.
Remarkably, the coaches put aside their prejudices, and united their 
players into a team whose goals were to respect each other and win football games. At the same time, Boone and Yoast helped their small community put aside its intolerance, join together and support their children.
Both coaches know the value of honor, loyalty, commitment, hard work, teamwork and kindness. Their leadership style is inspirational and motivates their audiences to focus on strength and vision, and fight to win.
Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.; Chartwells School Dining Services; Peck, Shaffer & Williams LLP; Scott, Scriven & Wahoff LLP; and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP are sponsoring Tuesday’s General Session.
Dorothy Hamill
Olympian, role model
Wednesday, Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m.
Every four years the Olympic Games produce a new group of champions, but rarely does one of them transcend sports to completely capture our imaginations.
Such was the case when 19-year-old figure skater Dorothy Hamill won the gold at the 1976 Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria. Her interpretation of music, fluid skating and infectious charm led all nine judges to vote her the winner.
Hamill is most proud of her World Championship title in Sweden following her Olympic win. Everyone had advised her to retire from amateur competition, saying that even a second place would tarnish the luster of her Olympic gold. Characteristically, she set her mind to win and did just that.
Following her amateur career, Hamill won five straight World Professional titles and skated in Ice Capades and numerous touring and TV productions. She is a member of the Olympic Hall of Fame and Figure Skating Hall of Fame and works with a number of charitable organizations.
In 2007, Dorothy released her deeply moving memoir — A Skating Life: My Story — in which she opens up about love, family, courage and what it means to truly win, both on and off the ice. As a motivational speaker, she focuses on the importance of parents, teachers, board members, coaches and other adults being positive role models for the children in their lives.
Wednesday’s General Session is sponsored by CompManagement Inc.