Lee Crumbaugh

Lee Crumbaugh, SMP, is a strategy consultant, business coach, facilitator, and marketing and communications expert.

He is author of two books - BIG DECISIONS: 40 disastrous decisions and thousands of research studies tell us how to make a great decision when it really matters, and AHEAD: Strategy is the way to a better future and a blog, Strategic Thinking & Strategic Action.

• Since 1988, through his firm, Forrest Consulting, Lee has provided counsel, coaching, and services to hundreds of companies, associations, non-profits, government entities, leaders, owners, and entrepreneurs.

• He served as Executive Director of the American Fence Association; VP, Marketing, of an accredited association management firm; Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Marketing and Research, of a major United Way; and Vice President, Corporate Affairs, at Continental Illinois National Bank, Chicago.

• Lee edited an award-winning banking magazine and was Vice President and Marketing Director for a financial trade association.

• He founded and was CEO of a consumer publishing company, and co-founded and was Executive Director of a county business association.

Lee earned his M.B.A., marketing management concentration, finance emphasis, from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and his B.S., communications, from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He attended Colorado State University and completed the Institute of Financial Education banking school at Indiana University.

Lee is past president of the Association for Strategic Planning (now the International Association for Strategy Professionals), co-founder of the International Association of Facilitators Chicago chapter, and a certified Strategy Management Professional.

Lee has run 60 marathons and competed in 11 Ironman triathlons. He coaches runners and triathletes.

A transplanted Chicagoan, Lee lives, sails, and paddles dragon boats in Annapolis, Maryland. He and partner Margaret enjoy the Chesapeake Bay and try to make life better for others. Lee has two adult children and three grandchildren.