Meet Our Team.
John Ratliff
John is currently the CEO of Scaling Up Coaches and founder of align5, a strategic consultancy and Coworking space in West Chester, PA. John is also Managing Director at STS Capital Partners.
In his role at Scaling Up Coaches, John leverages years of business experience and relationships with thought leaders to grow a dynamic community of coaches. The community of coaches collectively advise over 2500 companies worldwide.
With over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, CEO and investment banker, John co-founded align5 in 2013 (in partnership with STS Capital) to advise growth company entrepreneurs and family enterprises on a variety of strategic issues including sell-side and buy-side M&A. In January of 2021 John reengaged as a Managing Director with STS Capital Partners, a boutique investment bank specializing in middle market M&A.
John was also the founder and CEO of Appletree Answers, a telephone answering service company he started in 1995. He grew the company organically by implementing strategies from Rockefeller Habits 2.0 (the Scaling Up methodology) and through a series of acquisitions to 24 U.S. locations and 650 employees. John sold Appletree Answers to a strategic buyer in June 2012. John is passionate about strategy, company culture and employee engagement. It was that focus on culture that drove Appletree to record growth and profitability and ultimately drove a strategic valuation style exit. One key driver of that value was 18% turnover in an industry that averaged 150%
John is a member of the YPO Philadelphia chapter since 2007 and is a graduate of the Birthing of Giants class of 2008. He is active in Virgin Unite, a charitable foundation created by Sir Richard Branson. John lives in Wilmington, Delaware with his wife Lynne and their 3 children. When not working on strategy or M&A John is an avid pilot with well over 5000 hours in the air. He currently enjoys flying the company TBM850 Turboprop for both work and pleasure.
Verne Harnish
Verne Harnish is founder of the world-renowned Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), with more than 13,000 members worldwide. For 15 years he chaired EO's premiere CEO program, the "Birthing of Giants" held at MIT, a program he still teaches today.
Founder and CEO of Scaling Up, a global executive education and coaching company with more than 200 partners on six continents, Verne has spent the past three decades helping companies scale up.
The "Growth Guy" syndicated columnist, he's also the Venture columnist for FORTUNE magazine. He's the author of the bestselling Mastering the Rockefeller Habits which has been translated into 9 languages; and along with the editors of Fortune, authored The Greatest Business Decisions of All Times, for which Jim Collins wrote the foreword. His latest book Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0) has won eight major international book awards including the prestigious 2015 International Book Award for Best General Business book. Verne also chairs two bi-annual ScaleUp Summits in collaboration with Bloomberg LIVE, and serves on several boards including chairman of The Riordan Clinic and the newly launched Geoversity.
A private investor in many scale-ups, Verne enjoys piano, tennis, and magic as a card-carrying member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Kevin O’Connor
Kevin is the Chief Operating Officer of Scaling Up Coaches and a certified Scaling Up Coach. After graduating cum laude from Jefferson University with a BS in Human Resource Management, Kevin began his career at MBNA America. He held various management positions in the Fraud and Credit areas, becoming an Assistant Vice President before joining Appletree Answers in 2006.
Kevin was a leadership team member and Chief Operating Officer with Appletree Answers, a high-touch, boutique customer contact center organization where he implemented the Scaling Up Platform to achieve unprecedented revenue growth of over 300% and profitability over five times the industry average. Appletree created a world-class culture to reduce voluntary turnover in the company to under 20%. During his tenure, the organization won the Why We Love Our Workplace Award from the Great Places to Work Institute and was named a Best Place to Work in Delaware twice.
After Appletree Answers was acquired in 2012, he remained with the acquiring company. He served as Vice President of Human Resources for North America, overseeing Human Resources & Employee Relations for over 11,000 team members in a publicly traded company in the US and Canada. In his career, Kevin has extensive experience leading successful teams to implement high-engaging cultures and has led over 30 successful acquisition implementations in public and private organizations.
In addition to having a passion for seeing growth companies thrive and achieve maximum value, Kevin has two sons and enjoys watching them play sports and time at the Jersey shore in the summers with his wife and children.
Ramona Kokenberger
Ramona is the Client Engagement, Professional Enrichment & Events Specialist at the Scaling Up Coaches Organization. In her role, Ramona supports entrepreneurs in their journey to scale their businesses by helping them discover their ideal Coach. When Ramona is wearing her “Events” hat, she manages the professional enrichment and learning experiences for our global coaching organization. This includes virtual sessions with industry experts plus annual in-person events worldwide. She excels at managing projects and provides exceptional service while establishing client relationships.
As an entrepreneur herself, Ramona started a small business after being a stay-at-home mom for several years, eventually doubling in size. She also spent over ten years in a Human Resources role in biotech, professional sports, and recruiting industries, underscoring her devotion to helping others.
Ramona is passionate and committed to volunteering in the community and non-profit organizations. She is a wannabe interior designer and culinary chef, inheriting a passion for good food and great wine from her Italian roots. Ramona lives in Pennsylvania with her husband of 21 years, two teenage children, and a very spoiled dog. She has a love-hate relationship with her Peloton and enjoys spending time with family and friends and going to the beach.
Deena Petrucci
Deena is the Membership Services Specialist & Coach Concierge. In this role, Deena provides outstanding customer service to our coaches and assists them with questions about our tools and offerings. She also helps support our events, both live and in-person, for our global community.
Deena comes to Scaling Up Coaches with a diverse background. She grew up in a large family business, spending every weekend and summer learning every area of the company and realizing the importance of teamwork. After graduating, Deena pursued her career in the dance industry. After years of directing and eventually owning her dance studio, she decided to retire her dance shoes and utilize her business and administrative skills as an Administrative Assistant in multiple ICUs in Christiana Care Health Systems for several years.
Deena still loves fitness and makes it a daily priority, and she looks forward to her annual vacations to the Caribbean. Deena is devoted to her family, married to her husband Chris for over 25 years, with whom she shares three adult children.
Jenn Polish
Jenn, is the dedicated Coach Engagement & Certification Program Specialist, excels in offering exceptional hospitality to coaches within the certification program and the wider certified coaching community. In her multifaceted role, Jenn not only spearheads onboarding initiatives but also plays a crucial role in overseeing the intricacies of the certification process. Her meticulous attention ensures a seamless and enriching journey for each coach navigating the comprehensive landscape of the Scaling Up Community. Beyond the intricacies of her role, Jenn is dedicated to creating an environment where coaches not only acquire expertise but also experience a deep sense of belonging and support, extending her commitment to offering hospitality to the community..
Before assuming her pivotal role in the Coaching Organization, Jenn accumulated over 10 years of experience providing extensive executive support in a nationally recognized healthcare system, earning recognition in a "magnet" healthcare organization.
Furthermore, Jenn boasts a successful career in the Theater world, spanning over 35 years. Her impressive resume includes performances in Professional Musical Theater productions, global tours, and even the opportunity to choreograph a national commercial. Currently, Jenn continues to contribute to the arts by directing and choreographing for local dinner theaters and middle schools.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jenn is driven by a passion for helping others. However, her true love lies in her role as a parent to her daughter and son. She takes immense joy in watching them excel in sports and witnessing their growth into remarkable individuals. Jenn's multifaceted background and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to the Scaling Up team.
Wil Violago
As the Business Development Strategist with Scaling Up Coaches, Wil brings extensive expertise in executive recruitment, regional membership development, and business consulting. Throughout his career, Wil has earned accolades for top performance, embodying a proactive and strategic approach that aligns seamlessly with diverse organizational needs. His journey has taken him from bustling cities to the serene landscapes of Cape Town, South Africa, where he spent 12 incredible years. Here, he was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and started his first business.
Beyond the professional realm, Wil's life is filled with love and laughter. He has shared a blissful 20+ years with his husband, weathering the storms and cherishing the sunny days. Together, they navigate the rollercoaster of parenthood with two teenage boys who, in their unique way, keep Wil on his toes.
Wil's happy place can be found in the kitchen, where he embarks on culinary adventures. He loves trialing new recipes that his family sends his way, always eager to whip up something new. Now, let Wil introduce you to the true MVP of his life – Kal.
This four-legged dynamo, with a mix of border collie charm and sass, completes his world. They conquer the suburban streets daily, achieving an impressive 15,000 steps on average. Shh, don't let the humans in Wil's life know, but Kal holds the title of the ultimate companion.
Carolin Walch
Carolin manages Marketing, Communications, and Technology for the Scaling Up Coaches Organization. Her role includes leading initiatives to streamline processes for the organization.
Carolin brings 30+ years of experience to Scaling Up Coaches in the political, governmental, non-profit/association, and private business sectors. Her past positions include working as a Legislative Aide for both a Member of Congress and a National Trade Association, as an Executive Director of a fast-paced Political Organization, and managing and leading projects and initiatives at multiple companies focused on growing companies. She has a proven record in growing organizations and taking them to the next level, with a strong ability to take any challenge, find the best solution, and manage the project to completion.
Carolin has a strong case of Wanderlust. She and her husband love to travel and explore new places, often seeking out less-traveled destinations. They love to experience the local culture, people, customs, and cuisine of the places they visit. She also loves sailing, boating, bicycling, and swimming, and especially spending time with family & friends.