328 Green Gorge Road ben@ bencairns.com
Signal Mountain, TN 37377 www.bencairns.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Trainer / Developer / Speaker / Coach: www.BenCairns.Com, Signal Mountain, TN, 2005-Present.
- Targeted Individual Coaching
- Deliver Group Training for Management and Communication Skills
- Public Speaking on Networking, Presentation Skills, Time Management, and Other Topics
- Develop Training Programs; Write / Edit Articles, Newsletters, Promotions, and Executive Letters
Leasing Consultant / Owner: Business Leasing Solutions, LLC, Signal Mountain, TN, 2004-2006.
- Operated a Commercial Equipment Funding Brokerage
Senior Communication Coach: TLC, Talk Listen Communicate, LLC., Chattanooga, TN, 1999-2004.
- Sold, Developed, and Delivered Executive Coaching, Group Training, and Public Speaking
- Responsible for Key Customer Relationships / Account Management
- “Director of Product Creation”: New Workshops, Behavioral Reinforcements, Services, and Product Lines
- Improved Company Training Programs, Materials and Processes
- Authored and Edited Monthly Newsletter Articles
Grants & Community Development Coordinator: Baroness Foundation, Chattanooga, TN, 1997-98.
- Grant Writing & Non-Profit Funding / Program Advisement
- Promoted Innovative Collaboration Between Community Service Agencies
Preventive Medicine Manager: The Galen Medical Group, Chattanooga, TN, 1996-97.
- Created and Implemented a Wellness Program for the 365-Member Medical Group
- Created and Disseminated Patient Education Materials for Disease Prevention & Disease Management
- Promoted and Sold Wellness Program / Preventive Medicine Packages to Businesses
Clerkship Coordinator: Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, 1994-95.
- Coordinated Logistics for the Junior Clerkship Rotation through the Department of Family Medicine
Graduate Teaching Assistant in Speech Communication & Adjunct Faculty Instructor:
University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 1992-93; Mercer University, Macon, GA, 1993-1995.
- Taught Undergraduate Courses in Interpersonal Communication and Public Speaking
- Designed and Conducted Original Thesis Research and Assisted with Faculty Research
- Co-Authored Scholarly Publications
Vocational Rehabilitation Evaluator/Counselor/Consultant:
Jennifer Palmer & Company, Metairie, LA, 1985-1989; Lashley Rehabilitation Services, Macon, GA, 1989-91.
- Vocational Evaluation and Analysis of Residual Work Capability; Write Forensic Reports and Evaluations
- Vocational and Medical Case Management for Worker’s Compensation Insurance Cases
- Job Analysis,
- Job Placement
- Labor Market Analysis / Reporting
- Testified as Forensic Expert on Job Placement
- CDMS (Certified Disability Management Specialist) and GA State PRS (Primary Rehabilitation Supplier)
EDUCATION:
Master of Arts, Speech Communication: University of Georgia at Athens, 1995.
Research Thesis: Communication of Information and Adaptation to Disability.
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology: “With Honors”, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 1983.
PUBLICATIONS:
Cairns, A. B. (Marston, J. E., Editor) (2006) Customer Service, Chattanooga State Technical Community College,
Center for Business Success; Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
Cairns, A. B. (Marston, J. E., Editor) (2006) Networking, Chattanooga State Technical Community College, Center for
Business Success; Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
Cairns, A. B. (Marston, J. E., Editor) (2006) Employee Termination, Chattanooga State Technical Community
College, Center for Business Success; Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
Cairns, A. B. (Marston, J. E., Editor) (2006) Hiring, Chattanooga State Technical Community College, Center for
Business Success; Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
Cairns, A. B. (Marston, J. E., Editor) (2006) Performance Appraisal, Chattanooga State Technical Community
College, Center for Business Success; Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
Cairns, A. B. (2006) Make Networking Work!, Chattanooga Area Business Trend, Chattanooga Area Chamber of
Commerce. (quarterly business journal “promoting economic growth and entrepreneurship in Chattanooga”)
Cairns, A. B. (2004 – present) "Spoon Havoc" is a semi-regular single-pane cartoon in The Chattanooga Pulse, (an
alternative news weekly).
Cairns, A. B. (1999 - 2004) Newsletter Articles on Topics in Communication and Management for "The Exchange"
(100+ individual articles) and SelfGrowth.Com.
Parrott, R. L., Stuart, T., Cairns, A. B. (2000) The Reduction of Uncertainty through Communication during
Adjustment to Disability: Living with Spinal Cord Injury, Book Chapter in Braithwaite, D. (Editor), Handbook of
Communication and People With Disabilities: Research and Application.
Cairns, A. B., (1995) Communication of Information and Adaptation to Disability, University of Georgia - Athens,
Masters Research Thesis.
Heintzman, M., Leathers, D., Parrott, R. L., Cairns, A. B., (1993) Nonverbal Rapport-Building Behavior's Effects on
Perceptions of a Supervisor, Management Communication Quarterly 7, 181-208, Sage Publications, Inc.
Cairns, A. B., Daniels, M., (1993) Instructor's Manual for Persuasive Communication Campaigns, (Pfau & Parrott)
Allyn & Bacon, Boston, MA.
MEMBERSHIPS and CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Senior Communication Coach (1999)
TLC, Talk Listen Communicate, LLC
IRB Board Member (2002 – Present)
University of Tennessee College of Medicine & Erlanger Health Systems Institutional Review Board
(An eleven member board providing FDA/NIH regulated oversight for medical studies involving human subjects)
Member (2004 - Present)
Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce
Chairman, Seminar Committee (2006 - Present)
Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce & Small Business Council
(strategic planning, promotion and deployment of a newly formatted seminar program to begin in January, 2007)
Member (2006 - Present)
Greater Chattanooga Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development
Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS #0156)
Certified Disability Management Specialists Commission (1990 - 2005)
Primary Rehabilitation Supplier (State of Georgia PRS #1629)
Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation (1990 - 2005)
Member
Toastmasters International (1985 - Present; New Orleans Toastmasters #234, Macon Toastmasters #824)
Downtown Dazzlers: Club #5100, District #63. Immediate Past and Current President (2005-2007).
(Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization promoting leadership and communication skills)
Competent Toastmaster (CTM)
Able Toast Master–Bronze (ATM-B).
Current Office Held:
President (Downtown Dazzlers, 2006)
Past Offices Held: Competitions:
Area Governor (1) Division Level for International Speech Contest (2000)
Assistant Area Governor (1) District Level for Speech Evaluation (1987)
President (6)
VP Membership (3)
VP Education (4)
Sergeant at Arms (2)
Board Member (1999 – 2004)
Past President (2003-2004)
Health House of Chattanooga
(children's health educational programs for Chattanooga regional schools, K-12)
Board Member (1997-1999)
Baptist Library Mission
(promoting libraries, literacy, and access to Christian and health information in Latin America)
Board Member / Organizational Consultant (1998-2002)
Tristate Resource & Advocacy Corporation
(I conducted an organizational assessment for this independent living center for people with disabilities that serves
24 counties in the Chattanooga region. I later served on the board.)
Member (1997-2002)
Virtual Organization of Chattanooga
(a group of volunteers collaborating on special, innovative community projects with a technology emphasis)
Some Other Volunteer Committees and Community Service Groups:
United Way Center for NonProfits; community member in strategic planning group/committee (1997).
Chattanooga Lifestyles Center; community member in strategic planning group/committee (1997).
Bibb County (GA) Department of Education; Volunteer, Mentor's Program for At-Risk Children (1994-1995)
