About the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jack D. Cichy is professor emeritus of management and sustainability at

Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His business experience

includes food and beverage directorship with several hotel resorts in northern

and western Michigan. Dr. Cichy has served in various administrative leadership

roles in academe from Dean to Department Head, and Professor of Management

and Sustainability for over forty-plus years. In addition to his business and 

academic pursuits, Jack has also assisted his wife Karen, in owning and operating

a Retail Store and Gift Basket Business (Basket Works LTD.) in Grand Rapids,

Michigan, for over twenty-five years. 

Dr. Cichy completed his BS, MA, and EdS Degrees from Central Michigan 

University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. He also earned a PhD in Adult/Business

Education at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Jack is certified as a

Leadership Effectiveness Analysis (LEA) Trainer/Educator by the Management 

Research Group located in Portland, Maine. He also earned his Certified Manager

(CM) credential from The Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM) in

the College of Business at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Additionally, Professor Cichy is an EQ-i 2.0 (Emotional Quotient Inventory) 

Qualified Facilitator by Multi Health Systems Incorporated of Toronto, Canada.

Jack has provided leadership consultation to numerous organizations. He has

served as an outside organizational development trainer/educator for thirty-

one years at Cascade Engineering (CE) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. CE is a

national/international leader in Sustainable Business Practices.

Professor Cichy’s professional, teaching and research interests are in the 

areas of leadership, sustainability, organizational change/development,

employee motivation, and organizational behavior. He has written and 

presented numerous papers over the last several decades at the National/

Regional Lilly Conferences on College and University Teaching, along with

the Michigan Academy of Arts, Science, and Letters. He has also presented at

the National Management Association’s Annual Conference.

Jack has authored over 100 articles, papers, scholarly book reviews, and 

journal submissions. In addition, he has spoken to many organizations on

ethics, sustainability, and leadership. He is the proud recipient of a 2012

- 2017 Fulbright Scholar Specialist Award (not activated) in Sustainable

Development from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and

Cultural Affairs.

During his tenure at Davenport University, Jack was a two-time recipient of

the Professor of the Year Award. He has also been bestowed the Davenport

University M.E. (Michael Edward) Davenport Award for “... commitment to

exceeding standards of performance…” in service to the institution.

Dr. Cichy served as a member of the Board of Regents at The Institute of

Certified Professional Managers on the campus of James Madison University

in Harrisonburg, Virginia from 2004 - 2016.

Jack Cichy’s leadership journey began in high school as Class President for four

years. In addition, he was a member of the 1969 Manistee (Michigan) Catholic

Central Sabers Class C State Championship Football Team and served as varsity

football captain in 1972.

In his work life, Jack reveled in leading others. Every leadership role that he has

served in provided him with valuable growth opportunities and a chance to refine

his leadership effectiveness. Dr. Cichy’s quest for achieving leadership excellence

continues to this day.