MEET THE Catalyst Leadership Dynamics

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Jeff Rogers

CEO & Certified Professional
Master Business Coach

Michelle Fontaine

Certified Professional
Business Coach

J. “Boomer” Stufflebeem

Vice Admiral, Ret. & Certified
Professional Master Business Coach

Krista W. Spader

Certified Professional Business Coach

Greg Smith

CPA & Certified Professional
Business Coach

Matt Rogers

Sales Leadership Consultant

Amanda Baron

Ground Force Trainer

Recipient of the 2019 Professional Business Coach of the Year from the PBCA USA.

About Jeff Rogers – Our Founder

Certified Professional Master Business Coach

Jeff Rogers is an accomplished Award Earning Executive Business Coach, Entrepreneur, and Professional Trainer who builds & empowers successful and emerging business leaders. He holds his certification from the Professional Business Coaching Alliance.

Rogers focuses on providing custom coaching for entrepreneurs, business leaders, C-suite executives, and management teams. Together, Jeff and his clients develop clarity of purpose to maximize results using proven strategies to enhance business structures and personal accountability.

Jeff’s extensive leadership experiences provide clients with a warm, trusting, and safe environment to become laser-focused on optimal results. His system is designed to develop and strengthen core leadership competencies in areas such as Executive Branding, Marketing & Advertising, Leadership Team Development, Systems & Procedural Manuals, Business Finance Management, HR & Staff Development, and Customer Service.

In addition, Rogers works with our nation’s brave, motivated veterans through the Institute for Veteran’s & Military Families located at Syracuse University. In this partnership, Jeff travels the world to Introduce entrepreneurship to Veterans separating from military service looking to begin their businesses. These efforts are a true passion of Jeff and provide his life with personal fulfillment and purpose.

Rogers also leads an initiative to develop family businesses in regional communities as the Executive Director of the NYS Family Business Center at the Madden School of Business at Lemoyne College in Syracuse, NY. Jeff is responsible for creating and facilitating thoughtful programming which engages family businesses to overcome various market challenges using modern, strategic business solutions and resources to produce transformational results.

In addition, Jeff gives back his business knowledge to the next generation of business leaders as an Adjunct Professor of Practice at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, Entrepreneurship & Emerging Enterprise. In this capacity, Jeff instructs the Intro to Entrepreneurship course, a core component of a nationally ranked entrepreneurship program.

In his personal life, Jeff is the proud father of four adult children in a blended family and married to Patricia Rogers. Together, they reside in Syracuse, NY.

About Michelle Fontaine

Certified Professional Business Coach

Michelle Fontaine, CPBC joins Catalyst Leadership Dynamics as a Certified Professional Business Coach having completed the Catalyst Leadership Dynamics EOES 1.0-4.0 series. Michelle is now concentrating on Supervisor/Manager Development, Sales Development, and Business Systems. Michelle is also the VP of Accounts at Visual Technologies, an audio-visual company located in Central New York. For over thirty years, she has enjoyed working with many types of clientele; corporate, non-profit, higher education, military, and government as well as managing and developing talent within the company. She has found it very rewarding to be part of a company that can help anyone express their vision or experience through multimedia production and staging.

In 2017, Visual Technologies began a coaching contract and executive training series with Catalyst Leadership Dynamics, to improve the corporation. The value that was presented and the positive impact that occurred when coaching strategies were implemented made a great impression on her. With the many changes that were introduced to the world in 2020, she began to concentrate on becoming a coach and playing a role of purpose; to help others overcome obstacles and to help guide them to their next best selves.

Over the years, Michelle has also devoted time to several local organizations, CNY Sales & Marketing Executives being her favorite. Throughout her time there, she has held the roles of VP of Finance, VP of Programs, VP of Membership, and President. Her most enjoyable role has been that of the Crystal Ball Committee Chair. The Crystal Ball Award is given out yearly to a local philanthropist. In this position, Michelle has worked closely with some incredible “local heroes”. Working with the organization leaders, like-minded professionals, and various teams on all levels of the corporate ladder has been an enriching experience for her.

Also, through CNY Sales & Marketing Executives, Michelle could get involved and give back to Hillside Work Scholarship Connection. Hillside Agency helps youth stay in school, earn their high school diploma, and prepare for secondary education or employment. CNYSME was able to give scholarships, assemble trade shows, and speak to area youth who are challenged by socioeconomic factors about careers that may interest them. Michelle is passionate about guiding the youth of today into career paths where they will excel in the future.

About Greg Smith

Certified Professional Business Coach

Greg has developed a significant professional background working in various industries. With a background in sales, sales management, leadership, and people development, Greg brings great value to Catalyst Leadership Dynamics.

Greg Smith has participated in all levels of the EOES 1.0 – 4.0 programming with JRCI, now CLD and led his cohort to success. Jeff Rogers asked Greg to work with him and Jeff’s students at Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management, EEE370 Entrepreneurship class for four years, teaching the accounting section. Each semester Greg’s session was one of the most special to the students.

Greg is a tax senior manager with Dermody, Burke & Brown, CPAs, LLC, and a business coach with Jeffrey A. Rogers Executive Business Coaching. Greg’s experiences as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Professional Business Coach (CPBC) bring detailed knowledge and skill to the team.

Greg can understand the needs of business owners and executives to provide day-to-day tax and accounting consulting and leadership coaching to empower leaders to continue growing daily. Greg was asked to join the team based on his vast business knowledge and skillset and because he has a unique ability to break complex matters into digestible and useable information.

Education, Certifications, and Boards:

  • Treasurer of the New York Family Business Center at the Madden School of Business at Le Moyne College
  • Treasurer of The Orchard Church

Recognition and Awards

Central New York Forty Under Forty Honoree

About Matt Rogers

Sales Leadership Consultant

Matthew ‘Matt’ Rogers is a transformative sales and marketing leader with over 20 years of experience driving strategic growth in the craft beverage industry. As a seasoned executive who has guided organizations through startup, hypergrowth, and expansion phases, he has consistently delivered results by building high-performing teams, developing innovative brand strategies, and leveraging data-driven insights. His expertise spans national sales leadership, distribution management, and creating comprehensive marketing platforms that align with evolving customer needs.

Throughout his career, Matt has demonstrated a unique ability to turn strategic vision into operational success. While in the craft beer business, he has restructured sales organizations, launched successful product lines, and expanded market presence across multiple states. His approach combines creative risk-taking with rigorous performance management, enabling him to achieve significant milestones such as supporting award-winning brands, optimizing wholesaler partnerships, and driving sales growth above budget in competitive markets.

A graduate of Syracuse University with an MBA in Marketing and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from SUNY Fredonia, Matt brings both academic insight and practical expertise to his leadership roles. His comprehensive understanding of the entire supply chain, from warehouse operations to stakeholder relations, positions him as a versatile executive capable of driving holistic business transformation. Currently based in Manlius, NY, he continues to leverage his extensive network and strategic acumen to help organizations achieve sustainable growth and market differentiation.

Matt enjoys spending time with family with his wife, Melissa, and 3 active young kids. He enjoys boating, skiing, and taking in college football. Go Cuse!

About J. “Boomer” Stufflebeem

Certified Professional Master Business Coach

John’s experience, expertise, and forte are in effective leadership of complex organizations and, particularly, ones suffering crises. He is a former professional football player followed by a thirty-three-year career as a military officer and U.S. Navy aircraft carrier fighter pilot. He earned his nickname, “Boomer”, as a football player that followed him as a callsign into the cockpits of jet fighters deploying eleven times “down range” and more than eight years away from his family to trouble spots around the globe.

Through this journey he learned the art of elite teamwork as a football player, then as a leader in multiple deadly crises overseas as well as in the Pentagon during the attacks of 9/11, to today as an executive and business coach. From these, he developed a passion for pinnacle leadership development, and as a calling, he forwent traditional Defense Contractor corporate work after his military career and established his consultancy in 2008 to follow his passion for developing leaders with a specialty of leadership during crisis.

As a former professional football player, he understands the needs of pro football clubs and teamwork at the elite level. As a John “Boomer” Stufflebeem, CPBC-proven combat leader and retired U.S. Navy admiral, he understands and translates the critical lessons of leadership in any dynamic environment for business.

Background

With an expertise founded in the experiences of teamwork as a professional athlete and team leading as a military officer, John provides services through a proven military planning and response process translated for a broad array of clients that presently and have included: the New England Patriots; the Detroit Lions; the Houston Texans; advisory boards of such companies as ADARA Networks of Silicon Valley helping to guide the company in its meteoric rise in the world of Software Defined Networking; and, The American College of Financial Services, Penn Mutual Center for Veterans Affairs. Additionally, he previously served the needs of the Lockheed-Martin Corporation

“Boomer” credits his successes today to the lessons he learned during his crucibles under fire in the military that included service in combat during every major military campaign from 1993 through 2007. In addition to leading hundreds of air combat sorties he amassed more than 1,000 aircraft carrier landings during those campaigns beginning with his initial team leader qualification after two extended deployments to the harsh Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf during the Iran hostage crisis. As a result, he was identified for and designated a weapons training instructor after successfully completing the fiercely competitive Navy Fighter Weapons School course, Topgun.

He ultimately led as a Chief Executive Officer as a Vice Admiral in the U.S. Navy at the operational level of war as Commander U.S. 6th Fleet deploying in combat to Lebanon during the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict and rescuing 20,000+ Americans out of Lebanon and reinforcing the U.S. Embassy in Beirut; supporting Special Operations Forces in Africa as the maritime component commander to Africa Command; and deploying as a NATO commander leading the Alliance’s first-ever out of area deployment into Pakistan. As a Navy admiral, he led thousands of troops in harm’s way in Iraq, Lebanon, and Africa to victory without ever losing any of his warriors. He was cited by former U.S. Presidents, George H.W. and George W. Bush as “the greatest return on our investment” in American leadership.

In non-deploying rotations he served as a weapons instructor during tours as an exchange aggressor pilot to the Israeli Air Force, a Topgun instructor-adversary pilot, and war planner in the Pentagon. He additionally served as Executive Assistant to two of the Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations, or CEOs of the Navy. He was in the Pentagon and on the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Staff, during 9/11 and earned the colloquial “Jedi Knight” designation in joint force employment after putting together and leading a special activities team devising the initial response plan in Afghanistan for the National Command Authorities (President and Secretary of Defense) and U.S. Central Command.

Earlier in his career, he was a team leader of the National Emergency Actions Operations for President George H.W. Bush in the White House carrying the nuclear “football” as his aide.

Education and Training

“Boomer” graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy where he started in Division I football and received subsequent professional training from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service (Global Leadership Seminar), Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for International Studies (Seminar XXI), University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business (Senior Leadership Seminar), National Defense University (Pinnacle Leadership Course), U.S. Army War College (Land Component Commander Leaders Course), NATO National Defense College (Ambassadors and Senior Leaders Seminar), and the Center for Creative Leadership (Leadership at the Peak).

Positions and Membership

John served as chairman of the board of trustees of Randolph-Macon Academy, the prep school he attended in Virginia prior to attending Annapolis as well as a board advisor to The American College of Financial Services’ Penn Mutual Center for Veterans Affairs. Boomer is also a member of the Professional Business Coaches Alliance (PBCA).

He is a life member of the NFLPA having played football for the Detroit Lions in the late 1970s but felt compelled to chase his heart and trade uniforms to become a fighter pilot in the fifth year of his contract. He is a mentor for transitioning military warriors and an advocate for those Veterans and athletes suffering the ravages of Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress, and Post-Concussion Syndrome. He is a participant of the Harvard Football Players Health Study and Concussion Legacy Foundation researching the fatal Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) having donated his brain and spine for posthumous research.

About Krista W. Spader

Certified Professional Business Coach

Krista Spader, MSM, CLU, CPCU, CPBC is a Certified Executive Coach and management consultant leveraging more than 20 years’ experience in the insurance and financial services industry with extensive experience in organizational health, operations management, employee retention, change management and leadership/talent development. Krista has multi-line senior leadership experience and has a track record of coaching and developing leaders of all levels. In addition to leading operations departments, she has been directly responsible for the talent identification, assessment and leadership development for her segment of more than 4500 employees and leaders. She also served as a delegate in the development and execution of Enterprise Talent Strategy for a functional area of more than 30,000 employees.
Krista is an adjunct professor at The American College teaching leadership courses in multiple areas of expertise. Never losing her love of working with aspiring young adults, Krista also mentors students at both Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University (ISU), where she has served as a Community Leader Mentor for ISU’s Innovation Consulting Community (ICC) which provides students experience in solving real leadership business challenges.

MEET THE Catalyst Leadership Dynamics

Implementation TEAM

Patty Rogers

Patty Rogers

Chief Operations Officer

Patty owned and operated a successful printing distributorship for over 30 years. She worked directly with clients to ensure their marketing and branding messages were reflected in all their printed business material. She now applies these principles to her work and our clients here at CLD. Her high organizational skills focus on detail, and attention to timely results support the clients and team members within the CLD Community. Patty focuses on ensuring team members’ and clients’ needs are met to the highest standards, strongly emphasizing customer satisfaction.

She is a past president and active member of the Syracuse Executives Association.

Patty lives in Syracuse with her husband, Jeff. They have four children and four grandchildren. She loves spending time outdoors and with the grandkids.

Cathy Melnikow

Cathy Melnikow

Marketing Strategy, and Data Analytics

With 15 years of experience, Cathy is an expert in setting up marketing systems and defining marketing strategies for small businesses and start-ups.  Graduating from MIT with a degree in Management Science, Cathy brings an analytical approach to problem solving and problem identification.  Cathy owns and provides consulting services on behalf of her company, CM squared.

To-date, Cathy has supported 250+ organizations set-up their marketing/advertising systems and strategies.  She is fluent in Portuguese, having lived and worked in Brazil.  Cathy has been working together with the team at Jeff Rogers Coach since 2021.

Certified in the HubSpot Marketing Platform, Google Ads, Google Analytics, and PRINCE2, Cathy is also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course and Army ROTC Leadership Training Course.

Awarded the Laya W. Wiesner Award for her outstanding impact on community life, Cathy continues to focus on building community wherever she goes.  

Amanda Baron

Amanda Baron

Marketing-Social Media and Communications

Amanda joined Catalyst Leadership Dynamics with twenty years of small business development and nearly fifteen years of business ownership. Her focus at Catalyst Leadership Dynamics is to help leaders who are struggling to find Jeff and his team by managing our online presence. She has spent her professional career focusing on marketing, communications, and consulting with small businesses to support their growth,

Amanda lives south of Syracuse with her beloved family and spends her spare time exploring all that life has to offer. She will often tell you she loves adventure, small business, and snacks.

What Amanda won’t brag about is her commitment to community and the countless hours she has spent volunteering, but we will.  She has spearheaded many community enrichment programs, youth programs, and programs that support equal access to community resources. Amanda prefers to work quietly in the background but was recognized as an “Extra Mile Hero” and received a key to the City of Cortland for all the work she has contributed to.

She is “one of the good ones,” and we are proud to have her on the CDL team. 

Janese Fayson

Janese Fayson

Marketing and Business Development Specialist

Janese Fayson is a junior at Syracuse University, dual majoring in Finance and Marketing. As a driven and dedicated student leader, she serves as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the Student Association, where she champions equity and awareness through impactful programming for the entire University. Janese has been with our company for nearly two years, starting as an intern and advancing to an employee. Here, she applies her curiosity and passion for learning to drive innovative solutions. Her leadership, dedication, and commitment to creating meaningful impact define her contributions both on campus and in the workplace. Her practical knowledge and enthusiasm for collaboration make her a vital contributor to the Syracuse University community and our team.

Viktoryia Kanapatskaya

Viktoryia Kanapatskaya

Marketing and Data Specialist

Viktoryia Kanapatskaya is a Marketing Management graduate from Syracuse University with expertise in SEO, content creation, video editing, social media marketing, and AI integration. Her academic and professional experiences have equipped her with strong analytical and creative skills, enabling her to design and execute impactful marketing strategies. As a former student-athlete, Viktoryia developed exceptional abilities in teamwork, time management, and project coordination, which she applies effectively in dynamic, fast-paced environments. She is passionate about leveraging innovative solutions and data-driven insights to drive marketing success and deliver measurable results.

Leadership Development is an investment that

pays dividents for a lifetime

Mission

Catalyst Leadership Dynamics works to help leaders and individuals move from where they are now to where they want to be with confidence, structure, positive accountability, and better results. We believe that to be more, do more, and have more, we must intentionally do the work, be coachable, and be willing to adapt. We continue to create and develop content, enhance our connections, and welcome those we serve to our elevating community.

Vision

Catalyst Leadership Dynamics will positively enhance the lives of those we touch by elevating measurable results and reducing unnecessary stress. We will build a successful, energized team that is willing to exceed expectations and become the “go-to” standard for personal, professional, and organizational development for those who are serious and willing to do the work to live success as they define it.

Values

Purpose

Priority

Pride

Passion

Tenacity

Integrity

Strong Work Ethic

Positive Attitude

Self-Awareness

Empathy

Creativity

Accountability