FLYFISHER'S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
EXECUTIVE RETREAT SERIES
PROGRAM STAFF
Meet our presenters: First-class speakers who just happen to be exceptional fly fishermen!
After his subsequent retirement from Pogo, Daniel began his own business consultancy, drafting and providing customized crisis-management manuals for businesses and organizations. Simultaneously indulging his longtime passion for fly fishing, Daniel authored An Alaska Flyfisher’s Odyssey: Seeking a Life of Drag-Free Drift in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Now in its second-printing, the book explores the many facets of the flyfisher’s world, often discussing their applicability to other areas of life. The platform created by such examinations have led to Daniel’s growing popularity as a keynote speaker and corporate presenter.
After concluding his college employment as a fly-fishing guide at Bristol Bay’s Kulik Lodge, FLIERS founder and principal Daniel Hoffman received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Alaska, graduating with a Master of Arts in Justice and Public Administration while serving as Chief of Police for the City of Fairbanks. Following his retirement from a 20-year law enforcement career, Daniel entered the world of industrial risk management, serving as the Risk Management Supervisor for Alaska’s Pogo Mine through the successive ownership of three international companies: Canada’s Teck Resources, Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining, and Australia’s Northern Star Resources.
Author and Presenter
Daniel Hoffman
John R. Childress
Author and Presenter
Growing up on a farm near the Umpqua River in Central Oregon, John learned fly fishing from his father and brothers. Possessing a self-professed appetite for adventurous fishing, John has fished all over the world, from Kamchatka to the Amazon, Alaska to Belize, Africa, Patagonia, and beyond.
In the business world, John has served as an author, trainer, and noted conference speaker. He was the co-founder and CEO of an international leadership consulting firm, coaching and advising executives and leadership teams from numerous global companies, including Ford, Textron, British Telecom, CNH Industrial, and BskyB. As the lead author of Fly Fishing for Leadership, John has been able to combine his leadership abilities and strong business acumen with his lifelong passion for fly fishing.
.png)
Glen Nielsen
Program Presenter
After finishing his college career as a forestry tech and firefighter for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Glen received his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Central Washington University, subsequently obtaining his Master’s in Public School Administration from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Over the next 30 years, Glen served as a classroom educator, principal, administrative director, and program executive. This breadth of experience has provided Glen the opportunity to provide “leadership to leaders” at the district, state, and federal levels. Upon his retirement from the Anchorage School District, Glen began working as a consultant for local education agencies throughout the State of Alaska. Through this role, he has worked to mentor school principals, ensure regulatory compliance, consult on minority leadership programs, and serve as adjunct faculty for the University of Alaska.
A life-long angler and fervent flyfisher, Glen spends much of his time fishing while providing outreach, education, and instruction to those interested in the sport of fly fishing. In furtherance of those efforts, he has collaborated through his memberships in The Alaska Fly Fishers and Alaska’s South Central Trout Unlimited Chapter, as well as providing instruction and outreach through the Girls Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America, and the Anchorage School District. Glen is currently finalizing the editing of his first book, wherein he examines the parallels and similarities between education, leadership, and communication, all from the flyfisher’s perspective.
Dennis Pearce
Presenter and Program Photographer
Born in Seattle, Dennis spent his formative years (from1969-89) growing up and working in Alaska. Completing High School in Homer, attending the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and spending ten years commercial fishing in Cook Inlet, Bristol Bay, and Kodiak. He’s traveled through most of Alaska by water- including a trip through the inside passage on a brand-new commercial purse seiner, navigating through the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
With his training in photojournalism and degrees in photography & graphic design, Dennis has nurtured his passion for photography, maintaining it as a common thread through his real estate business, travels, and hobbies- which include sailing, hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, and (of course) fly fishing.
A serial entrepreneur, Dennis has spent the past 20 years navigating the Seattle commercial and residential real estate markets, developing multiple partnerships and brands in the Pacific Northwest, as both a solo and team player. As Dennis prepares for
retirement, photography remains a strong passion of pursuit. Just as one strives to to lay out that perfect fly-cast, he’s always looking to capture “The One” image.
Andy O'Shea
Program Presenter
Andy has been fishing since he was 6 years old, and public speaking since he was 16. He’s proud to have served as a presenter, trainer, coach and consultant for thousands of people and groups over the last 35 years, encompassing a broad range of small and large businesses, government agencies, non-profit groups, law enforcement departments, and schools.
Andy’s broad background includes leadership in the Fortune 500 world, serving as general manager of one of the worlds’ largest real estate groups. His entrepreneurial success in business and real estate for over 20 years has extended to non-profit service and counseling; he even completed a stint as an ESPN radio station host and reporter. Andy possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, and a Master’s degree in Counseling.
When presenting, Andy enjoys relating enlightening, encouraging, and inspiring content for all audiences. His greatest desire is to make a true difference in the life of every person he meets and serves.
Andy is incredibly passionate about fly fishing; some of his favorite angling destinations have included Alaska and the Continental Mountain West, as well enjoying the tropical fly-fishing in Hawaii and Florida. When he’s home, Andy loves to teach friends how to land monster Rainbow Trout in his favorite Washington stream, Rocky Ford Creek.
When Andy isn’t speaking or fly fishing, he enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife, visiting his adult kids, and pursuing kayaking, hiking, writing and photography.