Who We Are
Staff
Larry Olmstead
Larry Olmstead, LEA president and executive consultant, is an expert in the areas of diversity, organizational change and leadership development. Larry spent 25 years at Knight Ridder, the nation's second largest newspaper publisher until its acquisition by McClatchy in 2006. As a journalist, Larry rose to become managing editor of the Miami Herald and later assistant VP/news of Knight Ridder, participating in three Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts along the way. He also worked for the Baltimore Evening Sun, Detroit Free Press and the New York Times. In 2002, KR promoted Larry to vice president, overseeing recruitment, training, leadership development, succession management and diversity programs. Larry's team helped Knight Ridder achieve historic highs in minority and female representation, and created training programs that resulted in millions of dollars in incremental revenue. In addition to the Pulitzer recognition, Larry won journalism awards from the Overseas Press Club, the Associated Press and the National Association of Black Journalists. He also was awarded a McCormick Fellowship and the Leadership in Diversity Award presented by the Asian American Journalists Association. Larry is a board member of the Metro YMCA of Santa Clara County and the Silicon Valley Conference for Community and Justice. He is past president of the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors and past co-chair of the International Women's Media Foundation. Larry studied journalism and political science at George Washington University. He is married with two children, and lives in San Jose, CA.
Robyn Fernandez Parmley
Robyn Fernandez Parmley is manager/administration for Leading Edge Associates. Robyn worked for Knight Ridder as the Corporate Training Coordinator and as HR Analyst. Robyn is a certified AchieveGlobal trainer. She also is certified in various personnel assessment tools and to develop competency models using those instruments. Robyn was a core member of KR diversity recruitment and training teams. She participated on the Knight Ridder United Way committee for three years and co-chaired the committee for an additional two years, each year exceeding the fundraising and participation goals. Those efforts helped Knight Ridder win the United Way "Spirit of the Valley" award two years in a row. Robyn also worked in the staffing industry for Credence systems and Randstad. She is a national officer for her sorority, Kappa Delta, and collegiate province president for three of its California chapters. Robyn attended San Jose State University, majoring in advertising. Robyn and her husband live in San Jose.
Associates
Rafael Gonzalez
Rafael Gonzalez, president of Rafael Gonzalez Enterprises, is a senior consultant associate for Leading Edge. Rafael is an organizational consultant, keynote speaker and author. His focus on whole-life balance and a strategic visionary growth process has positioned him as a sought-after executive coach. Rafael also has deep expertise in organizational inclusion efforts. Rafael has extensive international experience. His diverse clients include Knight Ridder, Tribune Co., AT&T, General Electric, Texas Instruments, Hewlett Packard, Apple, Motorola, Universal Studios, Viacom, Chevron, Merck, Major League Baseball, New York Yankees, Visa and the United Nations. Rafael has served as an adjunct faculty at several universities; for 10 years, he taught at the Media Management Center and Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. Rafael holds a master's degree from San Jose State University in clinical social work and organizational and community development. Rafael lives in San Diego, CA with his wife of 30 years and his mother.
Jerry Ceppos
Jerry Ceppos, LEA consultant associate, was named dean of journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno in December 2007. Jerry was vice president/news for Knight Ridder for six years until his retirement in August 2005. Afterwards, he taught journalism at San Jose State University and was a fellow in media ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Jerry served for six years as president of the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Jerry also serves on the board of visitors of the College of Journalism of the University of Maryland, from which he graduated in 1969 and has been honored as a distinguished alumnus. Jerry spent 27 years at the Miami Herald and at the San Jose Mercury News, where he was executive editor. He is a past president of the Associated Press Managing Editors and served two terms as president of the California Society of Newspaper Editors. In 2006, Ohio University named him winner of the Carr Van Anda Award for Enduring Contributions to Journalism. In 1997, the Society of Professional Journalists named Jerry one of three winners of its first national Ethics in Journalism Award. Also in 1997, the Anti-Defamation League honored him with its Torch of Liberty Award for service to journalism and to the community. In 1996, Jerry received the Knight Ridder Excellence Award for Diversity. He was a Pulitzer Prize juror in 1996 and 1997. Jerry is married and has two children.
Marty Claus
Marty Claus, LEA consultant associate, spent more than 25 years in the communications industry, including seven years as vice president/news for Knight Ridder. As a consultant, Marty specializes in leadership development and organizational effectiveness, with proven abilities in executive assessment, recruiting, selection, training and coaching in a diverse environment. Marty is an outstanding writer, editor and communicator and is able to build those skills in others. Marty has been heavily involved in initiatives aimed at recruiting, training and developing women and people of color. Marty has twice been a Pulitzer Prize juror, and she is among the 10 journalists initially inducted into the national Features Hall of Fame. She was a reporter and editor at the San Bernardino Sun-Telegram, and held various editing positions at the Detroit Free Press before joining Knight Ridder as a corporate officer. Marty holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University Honors College. She is married to Chip Visci, president and publisher of the Tribune in San Luis Obispo, CA, and lives in nearby Shell Beach.
Ronald J. Clayton
Ronald J. Clayton, LEA trainer associate, retired in 1999 after 30 years of service with the Federal government directing training and career management programs for the Department of Army, Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency, Bureau of Land Management, Montana State Organization, Arizona State Organization and Internal Revenue Service. Ron gained extensive experience in designing and leading EEO, diversity and sexual harassment training initiatives, working closely with local and state managers and officials in Washington. Ron is a fitness enthusiast and writes articles and columns for fitness publications. Ron holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of the District of Columbia. He and his wife live near Tucson, AZ.
Edgeline Newsletter
Analisa Nazareno
Analisa Nazareno is the editor of Edgeline, the e-newsletter published by Leading Edge Associates. Analisa is based in San Antonio, TX, where twice she has served as a reporter for that city’s daily newspaper, the Express-News. She also has worked at the Miami Herald and the Philadelphia Inquirer, and has won several awards for beat reporting. Analisa is active in the Asian American Journalists Association, and is currently secretary of the Texas chapter. Analisa attended the University of California at Santa Cruz, where she majored in history and minored in journalism. She speaks Spanish.
Dinah Eng
Dinah Eng is a syndicated columnist for Gannett News Service and a freelancer based in Los Angeles. Her articles appear in publications like the Los Angeles Times, TelevisionWeek and magazines published by the Newspaper Association of America. Dinah, a former president of the Asian American Journalists Association and Unity, Journalists of Color, also works as a diversity consultant and trainer.
Jacqui Love Marshall
Jacqui Love Marshall became permanently disabled in 2002 and now applies her 36 years of professional experience to freelance writing and personal consultations. Jacqui was a corporate officer for Knight Ridder and previously held human resources positions at The Miami Herald, The Washington Post and The Mosby Book Publishing Co.