Leading Change, Inc. was founded in 1997 to serve businesses in the Midwest. Our Mission is to assist companies grow, become more lean and adapt to changing global market conditions. At that time, Information Technology was the primary constraint to business growth. We specialized in technical training as well as information systems security auditing and IT consulting for the construction industry. The founders, Steven Bell, and Loren Faeth had the vision of LCI as a coordinator to bring the needed resources to a project, on an as needed basis. This concept became known as the Virtual Project Team. Linking Business to business to accomplish specific goals. It is analogous to the practice in construction, where a General Contractor brings together all the subcontractors needed to complete a project.

Some of our affiliations have included Advanced Technology Group Inc, Leading Change of Minnesota, Inc., BriMar Technology Group, and the Construction Industry Leadership Center and many Community Colleges in Iowa and the surrounding states.

Leading Change offers classes for computer users and Information Technology (IT) professionals. Classes are available for network engineering, network security, desktop support/helpdesk, network infrastructure management, and project management. Our instructors are industry leaders in their specialty. The curriculum we use is structured to allow rapid learning and maximum retention. While our courses are structured to manufacturers' certification objectives, our classroom emphasis is on gaining experience and skills for the real world.

Our IT Training unit specializes in network engineering training designed to help IT professionals and those new to the industry gain proficiency using modern server products. These advanced network operating systems allow the operation and management of business computing environments. Each of the classes covers a portion of the knowledge and skills needed to operate, manage and design network systems. Each course is taught using lessons, animated audio-visual graphics, discussions, and hands-on labs. Classes offer a theoretical understanding of network operations, and also hands on experience performing the tasks. These courses, with experience and exam prep materials provide the body of knowledge required for taking certification exams.

Our instructors are experienced professionals who know how to teach and know network design and administration. Most of our instructors work full time as network administrators or consultants and teach because they love it. Clients range from small companies, individuals, schools, colleges, universities and government to larger companies, including Fortune 100 companies.

Leading Change, Inc. also offers career tracks for Desktop Support Specialists (IT entry level), and for Network Infrastructure Management (managing routers, hubs, switches and other hardware) Our affiliations with Community Colleges have assisted the colleges to deliver classes on leading technologies to working professionals in their community. This is a result of the vision to bring together the resources needed to form a Virtual Project Team. The Virtual Project Team completed the work needed, then disbanded, keeping overhead low.

Our Founders:

Steve Bell started his career as a carpenter, then obtained a B.S. in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University. Working for M.A. Mortenson, he rose to become a Project Manager, managing multimillion dollar large commercial and civic construction projects. Working through the ranks he became Director of Marketing for another Commercial construction firm. He earned a M.S. in Construction Management from Texas A&M University and served on the faculty at Kansas State University and at Iowa State University. Mr. Bell is a frequent speaker at leadership and organizational Development events for constructors.

Loren Faeth learned about machinery and production on the family orchard. He earned a B.S. in Industrial Education at Iowa State University. He managed an equipment repair facility, worked in various production environments and was a Business Unit manager for one of Hawaii's "Big Five" companies. He established a successful family business, then returned to ISU to earn a Masters and Ph.D in Industrial Technology specializing in Food processing, Lean manufacturing and Quality. He has earned certifications as a Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT), Quality Engineer (CQE), Microsoft Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Trainer MCT) and is certified to teach Dr. Goldratt's Theory of Constraints. In addition to teaching Microsoft networking and operating systems, he has taught various college and university classes.

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