The LIFE! Staff

Tim Clipson

Tim Clipson is President and co-founder of LIFE! Dr. Tim Clipson is also a Professor of Executive Communication and Executive Leadership in the MBA program at Stephen F. Austin State University.   Tim also coordinates the Freshman Success Program at SFASU. He received his degree from Oklahoma State University in Training and Development for Business and Industry.  Tim travels throughout the United States presenting leadership programs for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Though Tim believes we should all live a balanced life -- Spiritually, Emotionally, Mentally and Physically -- He also believes learning and life should be fun.  His presentation style matches his life style -- an interactive adventure. His presentation brings real life illustrations to the challenges and joys of leadership. He has presented programs throughout the United States and Canada, and has traveled to the Czech Republic, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, France, Netherlands, and Belgium.   As well Tim has hiked to the bottom, and more importantly, back out of the Grand Canyon.

Tim uses these real life experiences to bring home a real life presentation.

Ron Smith

Ron has been involved in leadership training more than twenty years. Ron has also served in several roles within the Kiwanis family, including president of the largest CKI chapter in the world, Texas-Oklahoma CKI governor, and Key Club district board adviser. Ron is a benefits consultant for Holmes Murphy, and he also has professional expertise in designing and developing training materials and audio/visual effects. Ron is a people builder both personally and professionally.

Shari Dooley Smith

Shari has been involved in leadership training nearly 25 years. In addition to her duties with the LIFE staff, she has served as a leadership consultant to the Texas Association of Student Councils conducting week-long leadership seminars. Shari was the faculty advisor to the 200 member Student Council at Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas where she also has coached the nationally top-ranked varsity cheerleader squads and taught four classes of sophomore English. Shari has also conducted programs for teacher in-service as well as for PTA meetings in Texas. She is currently teaching US government at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas. Shari brings with her to the staff excitement and enthusiasm about young people and life. Shari believes deeply that each of us has a purpose and makes it her mission to help others find their life’s calling.

Tiffany Ball

Tiffany Ball, five-year staff member of the Hugh O'Brien leadership program as well as a fifteen year member of the LIFE staff, graduated from the University of Arkansas were she was selected as Razorback Beauty. While there, she was active in Zeta Tau Alpha and served the student body as secretary of the Student Government Association. After working several years in management with Hallmark Cards in Kansas, Tiffany is currently a home manager and works with teen girls at her local church. She demonstrates excellence in character and a commitment to fun.

Joey Buck

Joey Buck received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stephen F. Austin State University and is currently a full time student working on his Masters at Southwestern Theological Seminary, planning to finish in May of 2010. Prior to going back to school, Joey served for two years as a Southern Baptist Missionary in Jackson, Wyoming where he was a resort chaplain, summer day camp director, and also worked for a hunting camp located in the Wyoming wilderness.

While a full time student, Joey is actively involved in the Young Adult department of his church located in Fort Worth. He and his wife, Katy, are currently serving as the activities directors for a multi-housing complex as a ministry through their church. When Joey is not in school he enjoys hiking, biking, camping in the great outdoors, spending time with his 1 year old son, Hayden, and with his wife, Katy, of nearly 3 years. Joey has been a part of the LIFE staff for 5 years.

Katy Buck

Katy Buck is a full time mommy to her one year old son, Hayden as well as a wife to Joey Buck. She also works as a part-time YMCA Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach a couple of nights a week helping others achieve their personal health goals. Katy and her husband, Joey, serve as Activities Directors for a multi-housing complex as a ministry through their church. She is also actively involved with the Young Adult and Preschool departments at her church.

Prior to being a mommy and wife, Katy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin State University. She also taught Jr. High PE and coached Jr. High Girls’ Athletics in East Texas. Katy has been a part of the LIFE staff since 2003 and has loved every minute of it.

Michael James

Michael has been with the LIFE staff since 2007. He is the Director of Communications at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, TX where he handles both the college’s marketing campaigns and public relations.  In addition to his work at Lon Morris College, Michael serves as a Student Success Consultant, helping students and parents make smart choices about college. He believes that student success begins with well-informed decisions based on a student’s personal and professional goals. Michael earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Interpersonal Communication from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. Michael enjoys cooking, sports, and strumming chords on his 6-string and 12-string guitars.

Paul James

Paul joined the LIFE staff in 2007. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Interpersonal Communication from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2005. His life vision is to help influence life-changing behavior that will lead to greater depth and meaning in people's personal and professional lives. Paul has a passion for higher education. As an Admissions Counselor at SFA he was the point person for the “Return to Learn” program which focused on encouraging non-traditional students to continue their education. Paul has also worked as an Academic Advisor at the University of North Texas, serving as advisor for over 1,000 Radio, Television and Film students. Currently, Paul is a freelance Web Developer in Tyler, Texas. When he’s not working, Paul enjoys running and has set a goal of qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon by 2012.

Brian Kinnard

Brian has been on the life staff for over 15 years. He is a Sr. Software Engineer for L-3 Communications in Greenville, TX. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Brian has expertise in web site development and audio/visual. Brian is a former Texas-Oklahoma District Key Club Lieutenant Governor. During college, Brian worked at the YMCA as a counselor and director of summer program for children. In his spare time, he works with children’s department at his local church.

Julie Kouri

Julie Kouri is mom to West (4 years old) and Creed (2), who she and Matt adopted from Russia. When she’s not playing with her boys, she leads an orphan and adoption ministry, Bridges of Grace, where she helps families considering adoption, connects families who have adopted, and supports orphans and foster children domestically and overseas. She also serves on the leadership team for the Grace Covenant Church Youth Ministry where she teaches and mentors students each week.

Prior to the adoption of her sons, Julie taught English and history to junior high and high school students in Chicago and in Austin for 6 years. She has also been a speaker in Austin LifeGuard’s character and sexuality education program.

Julie holds a BA in Education from Oklahoma State University. Julie is passionate about orphans, youth, and sipping hot tea.

Matt Kouri

Matt Kouri is the Executive Director of Greenlights for NonProfit Success where he leads the organization’s efforts to strengthen Central Texas’ nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining Greenlights, Matt most recently worked as a Senior Manager with Deloitte Consulting where he helped to lead a management consulting practice focused on serving nonprofit and government organizations.

Matt speaks regularly on community engagement, leadership, and health and human services. He serves as board president of Austin LifeCare and is on the advisory board of Austin’s Campaign for Philanthropy. He is a former Key Club International Trustee and Lieutenant Governor.

Matt is personally passionate about orphans and adoption (he and Julie adopted two boys from Russia), mentoring teenagers, and living out his faith through his work. He went to graduate school at the University of Chicago and his undergraduate degree is from Oklahoma State University. Matt’s claim to fame is that he once worked as an analyst for the CIA, but he can’t tell you any more than that! Matt and his family attend Grace Covenant Church where they lead an orphan and adoption ministry and serve as youth group leaders.

Micah Love

Micah is a native Houstonian who was raised in Humble where he attend High School. After graduation he matriculated to Stephen F. Austin State University. Micah is a 2001 graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University and received his Bachelor of Administration in International Business, with a minor in General Business.

One of Micah’s passions is being involved in the youth of today. He is dedicated to investing in tomorrow by building better leaders today. He seeks to serve our fellow men and women, especially young people, by modeling and teaching excellent leadership as a lifestyle. He is currently also pursuing accreditation as a Life Coach.

Micah has been a life long member of the Mt. Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Houston Texas. Micah’s goal in life is that, after coming in contact with an individual and having left their presence, they will always be able to say “he made me smile.”

Sue McClernon

Sue McClernon brings years experience in community service and leadership training. Aside from her duties as leadership consultant for LIFE, Sue is the president of her own healthcare consulting firm, Innovative Healthcare Leadership. She has served as a chief operating officer and vice-president for hospitals in Florida, Texas, and Minnesota for over twenty years. Sue McClernon has been a member of the K-Family for over 25 years, serving as CKI governor for Minnesota-Dakotas District as well as Circle K International vice-president and president and now Kiwanis. She lives in Duluth, MN with her husband Pat and three children. Sue brings to the LIFE staff an expertise in the areas of leadership development, conflict management as well as her personal goal of always helping others.

Mark Musso

Mark Musso is President/CEO of Special Olympics Missouri, former executive director for Minnesota Special Olympics, and former games director for the 1991 International Special Olympics Games. Mark was a Key Club Lt. Governor, President of Circle K International, and has worked with Kiwanis family leadership programs for 30 years. Mark has an MBA from Wichita State University and extensive experience providing training and development programs for businesses and educational organizations. During his year as president, Circle K International adopted the theme, “Caring: Life’s Magic!” which is a creed Mark continues to live. Mark has two incredible children, Andria and Michael.