Kevin Saunders, Motivational Speaker
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320 JACKSON HILL STE. 164 HOUTON, TX 77007 PHONE 713- 686- 0077 FAX 713- 802- 1187 • E- MAIL [email protected] KEVIN SAUNDERS OBJECTIVE To utilize my proven abilities as a motivational speaker and serve as a catalyst to help motivate all schools, universities, business, corporations, organizations, associations, clubs and groups with disabilities. Also to promote the development of sound safety education and application in the workplace. I’m dedicated to helping and working with accessibility rights and issues to make sure we achieve social equity for all as it is a right not a privilege. To work as consult to help make sure that new construction is done in a way that provides access to people with and without disabilities and is ascetically well designed. My goal through my presentations and working with accessibility issues is to share with people my story, strategies, and mindsets so that the listeners are inspired to reach new levels of excellence, achievement and possibility. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Motivational Speaker 1983 to Present: Energetic and passionate Keynote Speaker, with more than 5,000 speeches under his belt - including more than 2,000 to schools - Kevin Saunders is perhaps one of the well-traveled professional speakers working today. From small groups of a couple dozen students, to stadiums filled with more than fifteen thousand executives, he's worked with almost every kind of audience across several continents and countless industries. But as impressive as those numbers are, they're only a small part of his professional background. Here are just a few of his achievements: Three-time Paralympics Athlete and Multiple World Champion. Kevin has excelled on the world's greatest stage - the Olympic stadiums. Two-Time member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness Sports & Nutrition. -Kevin served on the council as the only member with a disability, and was the only called upon and appointed at the WHITE HOUSE by Presidents Bush and Clinton. Member, President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports 1992 to 2000: Senior Member from 1993. George W. Bush named Saunders as a constituent expert on fitness for people with disabilities to serve with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness Sports & Nutrition for the Department of Health & Human Services. Traveling “ambassador” for the council, speaking with America’s youth to encourage them to participate in the President’s Challenge and make fitness an integral part of their daily lives. Founder, Wheelchair Success Fund 1990 to Present: Creator of this important organization, which encourages people with disabilities to achieve their goals through furthering their education. Coordinated all operations, including fundraising, volunteer recruitment and related activities in conjunction with the Coastal Bend Community Foundation. Member, York Barbell Sports Performance Equipment Board of Directors 2000 to 2002: Advisor to this world renowned Pennsylvania company, one of world’s leading innovators in the strength and fitness equipment industry. Actor, 1989: Principal actor in Born on the Fourth of July, directed by Oliver Stone, starring Tom Cruise. 1984 to present: Kevin has been featured in much television, radio, print, eBook’s and blogs advertisements promoting fitness and education, paralyzed from the chest down Kevin, helps show that show that no matter who you are or what situation you are in, that education and fitness will enable you to increase the quality of your life. A fitness icon. As part of his crusade to raise awareness of healthy eating and nutrition topics, Kevin pushed his wheelchair across North America and Europe as an Ambassador of Fitness. Extreme motivator. For over a decade, Kevin worked alongside Coach Bill Snyder to assist in "the greatest turnaround in college sports history." Promoter of Safety comes 1st in the workplace. Kevin Saunders along with Kansas State University produced video productions to be used in the workplace to help reduce accidents. The video production was entitled: “Deadly Dust” Feature Film Actor. Kevin worked alongside Tom Cruise and Oliver Stone to feature in the major studio release Born on the Fourth of July. Television Commercial Actor. Kevin has been featured in over 50 TV commercials promoting fitness, education and wellness. Accomplished author and media personality. Kevin has penned several books, including the first comic book to feature a wheelchair hero. The attention surrounding his accomplishments has made him into a favorite of newspapers, magazines, radio and televisions shows everywhere. He's been featured on ESPN, USA Today, Oprah, the Hour of Power and thousands of national, regional and local outlets. Throughout all he's accomplished so far, though, Kevin’s greatest achievement has been passing on his fire and passion to audiences around the world. "Never Give Up" isn't just his saying - it's his mission. HONORS AND AWARDS 2013 – Was featured in print, radio television, online internet campaigns and video as Kansas State University Kicks off Wildcat Way Campaign with Commercial Featuring Kevin Saunders, Top Motivational Speaker & World's Greatest Wheelchair Athlete. Six commercials featured as part of the Wildcat Way campaign, Saunders stars in one of only two to feature K- State alum. 2012 - Coach Bill Snyder asked Kevin Saunders after his presentation to the football team to come back to be the motivational coach as he had done in the past for the team. Some say this 2012 season for the Kansas State University Wildcats has been the 2nd greatest turnaround in college football history. As Kansas State University finished the regular season with its first ever #1 BCS ranking and an 11-1 regular season. As BIG XII Champions the Wildcats won an Alliance Bowl bid from Fiesta Bowl. 2011 – The Houston committee chose Kevin Saunders to be the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parade one of the largest in the Southwest. 2011 - Kevin Saunders founded the “Fitness 4 All 50 State Tour” nonprofit 501-c-3 dedicated to educate our nation’s youth, parents, teachers, administrators and the American people about the importance of staying active and making healthy choices for balanced nutritional meals or healthy snacks so it will last a lifetime 2010 - The Kansas Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution No. 1819 sponsored by Senator Janis Lee adopted by the Senate body, supporting Kevin Saunders for the position of chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. After the reading of the Resolution the Senate & guests gave tribute to Mr. Saunders with 5 minutes of applause for his accomplishments and to support him for chairman of the President's Fitness Council." 2010 – Nominated for Chairman of the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness & Sports – PCPFS by U.S. Senator Pat Roberts 2009 – Nominated by US Senator Pat Roberts to be the next chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. 2009 - K-State Football Team Awards winner of the Kevin Saunders (Never Give Up) Award - Grant Gregory (QB) 2004-2008 – Appointed by President W. Bush as a constituent expert and named to Special Commission by the President's Council on Physical Fitness Sports & Nutrition and the Department of Health and Human Services to come up with a plan to improve fitness and Health for youth with disabilities. Commended for his help in the creation of the National Initiative on Physical Fitness for Children and Youth with Disabilities or the I Can Do It, You Can Do It Program. 2007 - Appointed to the Governor's Council on Fitness Council by Governor Sebelius State of Kansas. Now Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Obama Administration. 2006 - Honored by the World Health Organization and community of countries for his outstanding dedication to Fitness & Health, after touring through 5 countries in Europe -- pushing his hand-cycle and wheelchair -- promoting health and fitness and meeting with Government Officials, community leaders and many people along the way. 2004 - Commended for his outstanding contribution to fitness & health by the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, as well as the American Heart Association and YMCA's of America, for pushing his racing wheelchair over 2,500 miles across to raise awareness of health and nutrition issues. 2000 – Outstanding Contributions to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, presented by Secretary of Health & Human Services Donna Shalala. 2000 – Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, American Association of Community Colleges. Selected from among 1,500 Community Colleges throughout America and Internationally. 2000 – Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, Wall of Fame, Del Mar Community College. 1999 – Nominee, Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. 1998 – Support Award, Pratt Community College foundation for Student Scholarships. 1997 – Guest, “Hour of Power” television program. Chosen to be in their yearly calendar. 1995 – Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, Kansas State University. 1995 – Leadership Award, Texas A&M University. 1994 - Recognized with award for outstanding achievement for improving fitness in America by President Clinton and The President’s Council on Physical Fitness Sports & Nutrition. 1993 - Bill Snyder Head Coach Kansas State University, Who has had the biggest turnaround in college football history, started the “The Kevin Saunders Never Give Up Award” – was awarded to the player who demonstrated the most courage, perseverance and determination to ‘Never Give Up’ in the pursuit of team goals. 1993 – President’s Council on Physical Fitness Sports & Nutrition received the Distinguished Service Award, presented by Chairman Arnold Schwarzenegger. 1993-2000 – Only person reappointed to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness Sports & Nutrition by President Bill Clinton. Served as senior member for both terms. 1992 – Alumnus of the Year, Pratt Community College 1991 – Torch of Freedom Award, for Outstanding Sports Figure with a Disability. 1990 – First person with a disability/Paralympian appointed to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness Sports & Nutrition by President George H.W.