Ken Gora is the CEO of NEXT Productions and the Producer/Creator of the VP Contest™. He has over 25 years experience in the marketing, recruiting and B2B outsourcing industries. As CEO of VP by the Hour, he introduced a complete Marketing, CFO and HR solution to small and growing companies.The former owner of a recruiting and search firm, he has both conducted and managed searches for key executive talent as well as sales and marketing professionals across the United States. Recognized as one of America's top search professionals, he is only one of few to reach designation as a Level 5 Recruiter. As a marketing consultant, he has helped clients get their products and services across a national landscape.

His previous experience was in the personal and organizational development field where he conducted optimal performance seminars for such firms as General Motors, Atlantic-Richfield, Coca-Cola etc. He is the inventor of the Performance Cube™ and was a founding member of the Institute for Applied Behavioral Sciences. His Ph.D and M.A. are in Psychology.

Five things I love:

1. Random acts of kindness and compassion.
2. The magic of a child's smile.
3. The underdog and those who overcome challenges.
4. The gift of family, friends and good health.
5. The power of self-expression, open communication and it's positive impact on relationships. Try it, you'll like it.

Five things I dislike:

1. FEAR. I have seen too many people's lives, dreams and relationships destroyed by their holding back.....their feelings, their wants, their actions, their selves.
2. People who are cruel.
3. Quitters, does not matter where, business...sports...relationships.
4. Too many rules (sorry, have to have them in the contest). I mean rules that limit freedom, expression and out of the triangle thinking.
5. Pizza with anchovies.

Something to think about:

In order to have what you have never had , you must do something you have never done.
Do it. Do it right. Do it from your heart. Do it now.

Sandi Hammons is known foremost for pioneering the permanent cosmetic industry. Often referred as a "young Mary Kay Ash", she is also a celebrated motivational speaker, gifted visionary and master entrepreneur. She is in high demand as a consultant, keynote speaker and seminar leader by professional associations, corporations and women's advocacy groups. Founder and CEO of Premier Pigments and the American Institute of Intradermal Cosmetics, Inc., Sandi Hammons is considered one of the foremost authorities on permanent cosmetics.

A shrewd and innovative businesswoman, Sandi Hammons parlayed her success in the cosmetic industry into numerous other ventures. She founded the Sandi Hammons Charitable Foundation, a non-profit organization designed to encourage and support women and children through education, philanthropy and hope. Through her powerful lectures and her commitment to use her life to make a difference in the lives of others, Sandi Hammons has created an unparalleled connection with women and men around the world and her influence and generosity have established her as a highly respected and admired public figure.

Sandi’s entry into the entertainment industry began after she produced the reality-based educational DVD series, “The Permanent Cosmetic Apprentice”. Her roles as CEO, corporate spokesperson, and emcee for industry events provided her with years of experience in front of the camera, behind the scenes in editing, design and graphic arts, and an intimate understanding of connecting and communicating with the media and the public. She is currently an executive producer and marketing and merchandising consultant for the Patriot Hunter movie and brand.