Team 4ward
4 Ward Operations is made up a group of extremely talented and diverse individuals who share a passion to help others reach their potential and to impact lives in a positive way. From our presentations and executive coaching to our projects, to our media services, we strive to operate with excellence and to deliver services based on proven principles and strategies.
We have team members throughout the country who want to help your agency, your business, and your entire team reach higher sales, production, and improve morale and teamwork. Don’t settle for average! Let us help you and your team go to the next level in business, leadership, communication, wellbeing, and marketing.
Team 4Ward
Presenters and Coaches
Ron Ward
Founder & CEO
Ron is the founder and CEO 4Ward Operations, Inc – He is the author of the Amazon best selling book, The Dirty Side of Leadership, and an innovative Leadership Coach and Trainer. He is a former Federal Law Enforcement Academy Director and former chair of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation board of directors.
After conducting training programs and coaching all over the United States, Ron saw the need for dynamic and interactive programs to assist companies, churches and agencies, with communication, establishing boundaries, understanding various perspectives, generational leadership, well-being, and leadership development. For this reason, he has joined forces with numerous other professionals to make 4Ward Operations the place to go for all your training and coaching needs.
Merissa Ferrara Elisei, PhD
Executive Director of Coaching
Dr. Merissa Ferrara Elisei is a high-energy, world-class facilitator. Merissa has over 20 years of training and development experience as a professor of Interpersonal and Relational Communication at The College of Charleston.
Merissa knows a thing or two about how to keep the modern workforce engaged: she has won several teaching awards at The College for mentoring GenZ as they onboard at college and adjust to life after university. Merissa brings a rich perspective in soft skills, empathetic leadership, persuasion, boundary navigation, and presentation skills training. She has worked on local, national, and international health communication campaigns, and helped with branding and social media strategies for small businesses. Merissa has developed several of 4Ward Operation’s most popular workshops.
Kristin Sokoloff
Lead Presenter/ Podcast Co-Host
Kristin is a former Bank Leader, with 20 years’ experience in leading teams to deliver excellence within Retail Banking and Operations Management.
Campaign Manager for a local political candidate in the 2022 midterm elections and moderator of the Oregon Gubernatorial midterm election debate.
Host of a national talk show discussing current events, policy, health and leadership with highly accredited guests. She is also the co-host of The Dirty Side of Leadership Podcast, which is in the top 5% of all global leadership podcasts.
LaRell Stricklan
Executive Coach
LaRell Strickland is a seasoned leader and executive coach with a proven track record of empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their fullest potential. With over two decades of experience in ministry leadership, facility management, and security operations, LaRell has made a lasting impact on countless lives and communities.
As an Associate Pastor, he served a multi-campus church with nine locations and over 4,000 members, delivering impactful sermons, leading leadership training programs, and providing crisis counseling. LaRell also oversaw the construction and remodeling of several facilities, including new builds and campus expansions.
In addition to his ministry work, LaRell served as a Reserve Police Officer with the Summerville Police Department and later became a Safety & Security Director, establishing security protocols across nine campuses. As a SLED-certified Security Officer Instructor, he trained countless security professionals in safety and emergency response.
Brian Peters
Lead Presenter
Brian Peters is a production manager at Boeing, The largest airlines manufacturers in history. Brian was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to SC, in 1996 to be near family. He is married to his beautiful wife, Tanya. They have three children. Mr. Peters also works for World Financial Group and is a licensed insurance agent.
Brian brings a very unique skill set to executive coaching. When Brian was six months old, his father suffered a stroke, and as he grew into adolescence, he willingly took on the responsibility of helping his mother with the care of his father. Brian was influenced by the fact that his father never complained and volunteered at the VA center every day.
Brian understands the power of empathetic leadership and provides clients with a perspective that few people have to offer. He is well versed in the art of executive coaching but also has the ability to help bring the chaos of life into perspective through gratitude and self reflection.
Margaret Vigil
Executive Coach
Margaret Vigil is a top-ranking executive professional with over 20 years of experience driving peak performance and cultural transformation within public and private sector organizations. Known for her ability to define and execute on a strategic vision, she is an expert in leading teams, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and implementing process improvements.
As the Court Unit Executive and Chief Probation Officer for the District of New Mexico – United States Probation, Margaret led a $21 million governmental organization and a team of over 200 criminal justice professionals. During her tenure, she spearheaded a top-down organizational transformation, introduced an evidence-based decision-making model, and integrated a mission and vision model that was utilized throughout the organization. She is credited with reducing caseloads by more than 50% within her first three years and overhauling antiquated manual systems, which led to over $1 million in annual cost savings.
Since retiring, Margaret has continued to use her expertise in new ventures, including assisting with jury consultant work, mission and vision building, and job coaching. She has also obtained her private investigator certification and provided performance evaluation consulting. Additionally, she was part of a team that developed curriculum for programs within the Bureau of Prisons.
Her extensive career includes a wealth of experience as a Senior Probation Officer and Pretrial Officer, where she managed teams, supervised specialized caseloads, and trained new officers. Margaret was a certified professional in multiple areas, including Appropriation Law and Executive Oversight. She holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Management and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
Gary Tucker
Executive Director of 4Ward Media and Lead AI Presenter
Gary Tucker is an experienced entrepreneur and digital media professional. He has a passion for technology and a keen eye for detail, Gary has spent over a decade honing his skills in web development, content creation, UGI content, and social media services.
As an AI expert, Gary has developed several interactive AI implementation programs designed to help businesses integrate artificial intelligence to improve all facets of their operations—from streamlining workflows and enhancing customer engagement to optimizing marketing strategies and increasing overall efficiency.
He has built a reputation as a reliable and innovative digital marketing professional who works closely with clients to create custom web development solutions that meet their unique needs. He also specializes in content creation, including UGI content, which is a highly effective way to engage audiences and drive conversions.
Ross Swope
Executive Coach
Ross Swope grew up in the world of law enforcement. The son of a cop, he joined the Washington, DC, police force soon after he graduated from the University of Maryland in 1972. Over the next 43 years, he rose through the ranks, ultimately becoming deputy chief of the DC Metropolitan Police Department and then the chief of police of the US Supreme Court.
His many responsibilities included planning, administration, management, investigations, budgeting, and human relations, with an emphasis on leadership. A highly effective law enforcement manager and forward thinker, he pursued continuing education and applied it to every department he served.
In addition to his numerous awards and commendations, he holds three master’s degrees—applied behavioral science; justice, law, and society; and applied criminology—making him the most highly decorated and educated police official in the DC Metropolitan Police Department when he retired.
Staff Support
Haley Ridley
Finance / Bookkeeper
Haley Ridley has an MBA and has served in various roles related to finance.
At 4Ward Operations, Haley serves in finance and bookkeeping. Haley assists our team and clients with the coordination of cost proposals, travel logistics, and invoices to ensure that hosting our team or one our dynamic presenters is seamless.
Haley can answer all of your questions about the many functions of 4Ward Operations.