Leadership

Kurt Frohlich

President

Kurt is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno where he received a B.A. in Education, with an English major and a Computer Education minor.  As Apex’s founder, Kurt has been responsible for its overall vision, establishing and maintaining its high quality and standards, and developing excellence across all service offerings for a multitude of clients.  Outside of Apex, Kurt stays busy with his wife and two teenage daughters, who all enjoy music, travel, and various activities with friends and family.  Personal hobbies include basic physical fitness, attending live concerts, and playing the electric guitar (poorly, but with enthusiasm!).

Prior to founding Apex, Kurt worked for 5 years as a software trainer, and then as an inside sales consultant for an international corporate training company.  Before that, he owned and operated Wings ‘N’ Things  for 8 years – the best chicken wing restaurant on the West Coast!  He is also past-president of the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) – Sierra Nevada Chapter.

First job: “My first job, when I was 15 years old, was working as a dishwasher in a family-owned Italian restaurant in south Florida.  I basically had to take scalding hot pizza pans, greasy plates, and sharp knives out of a disgustingly greasy sink full of water, rinse them off, load them into a commercial dish-washer, and then put the clean stuff away.  All of this in a kitchen with no air conditioning, in 100 degree heat, and 90% humidity.  I was burned and cut all the time.  Needless to say, I didn’t stay long at that job.  I think I lasted 2 days, but it showed me what hard work was really like.  I’ve truly appreciated every job I’ve had since then!"

Little Known Fact: "Being a child of the 70s, my heroes were the Apollo astronauts, and with my dad being a former fixed wing and balloon pilot, flying and aerospace were big in our house.  Several years ago, I was able to meet and have a book signed by the last man to walk on the moon – Gene Cernan.  That was cool.  But in 2005, at the Reno Air Races, I was able to meet and have a picture taken with the reclusive Neil Armstrong – the first person to walk on the moon!  The pictures and autographs are hanging in my office, and remind me of what’s possible to achieve when you believe in what you’re doing."

Diane Schroder

Human Resources Manager

As a Human Resources Executive with over 19 years of experience, Diane brings her knowledge of best practices to everyday decision making at Apex.  Diane started her career with a degree in Communication from Boise State University.  While working as a manager in operations, she was drawn to the impact of Human Resources in an organization. Her work experience covers both public and private sectors in a variety of industries. She is also an experienced instructional designer who has delivered training to both employees and customers of Fortune 500 companies. Diane strives to provide a top-notch Apex employee experience while matching our client’s needs with qualified staffing.

First Job: "I started babysitting in Junior High.  I gladly gave up dirty diapers for the BSU Student Union Cafeteria my freshman year in college.   Whether I served on the line, stocked the salad bar, or worked banquets, the job definitely encouraged me to finish my degree.  Have you ever heard a football player screaming for more ketchup?  Not pretty.  It definitely inspired me want to do something more!"

Corey Shamley

Business Development Manager - Washington

Corey oversees Apex’s Puget Sound-based business.  Leveraging an extensive project management, training, and readiness background, Corey has led projects of all sizes. Prior to joining Apex, Corey was an executive with Accenture’s Human Performance group.  He has contributed to enterprise learning projects around the globe and has consulted for a number of Fortune 500 companies, notably Microsoft, Chevron and Weyerhaeuser.  Corey is a Montana native and earned his Bachelor’s of Business (Finance) degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA.  He lives in Seattle with his beautiful family (wife Sandy and son Connor).

When Corey isn’t in the office, he can be found outdoors – be it mountain biking, hiking, or enjoying a lake.  Corey is also an avid local music fan and photography enthusiast.

First Job: "My first job was a ‘cart attendant’ at a local golf course.  Basically, my responsibility was to ensure that golfers had everything they could possibly need (carts, clean clubs, directions, advice, etc.) before they ventured out for their round.  The job was a great way to stay in shape (I was constantly running) and enabled me to work on a world class farmer’s tan.  Who knew that the job would provide me with my first experience in a services-based industry?"

David Millar

Operations Manager

David graduated from University of Phoenix where he received his MBA in 2007. As Apex’s Operations Manager, David is responsible for managing the medium-range strategic direction of the organization by putting the right resources in the right seats. Prior to working for Apex, David has worked various positions including senior surveillance agent for a world class casino resort, computer programmer for the Department of Defense, and senior systems and network administrator for a national turnkey insurance agency.

Outside of Apex, David stays busy with his wife and three dogs. Personal interests include exploring the infrequently traveled roads, wine tastings, and the heartbreaks of the Boston
Red Sox's attempts to make the playoffs.

First job: “My first job at age 16 was a ‘cyber-guide’ in a trendy cyber café. The Internet was still new and ominous to many people, and my job was to help guests experience new technology - everything from virtual skiing to 'smell-i-vision'. Windows 95 was just released, and DSL connections were what only geeks and gamers had installed in their homes. It was a very exciting time in personal computing.”

Little Known Fact: “After the tech collapse in 2001, I found myself out of a job and with a newfound abundance of time. Having relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico the prior year, I didn’t have an extensive social or professional network and decided to volunteer for the local county fire department. Starting as a grunt rolling hose and waxing trucks, my enthusiasm and dedication opened opportunities for training, and three years later I found myself a nationally certified structural and wildland firefighter, and a fire cause and origin investigator."

Cyndy Johnson

PMO Manager

As PMO Manager for Apex Performance Solutions, LLC, Cyndy is dedicated to continuous development of the Project Management Office to ensure clients recognize the greatest value to their organization through application of project management best practices, and services to meet the unique needs of their organization.

Cyndy’s prior experience includes 7 years as an IT Project Manager with Harley-Davidson Financial Services in Carson City, Nevada, where she managed IT projects ranging from infrastructure upgrades to software releases.  Her background is primarily in the banking and financial services industry, including past positions as Consumer Lending Product Manager and Director of a Visa Credit Card call center operation.   Cyndy holds a B.A. from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota with majors in Business Administration and Communications.

Outside of Apex, Cyndy keeps busy with her fiancé and teenage son.   She is a long-time Reno resident, is an avid reader and enjoys golf, fishing and kayaking.

First job: “My first job was in a nursing home as a dining room server.   It was a completely disjointed job schedule-wise, requiring arrival at 5:00 a.m. for breakfast set-up and service, then mid-day for lunch and evening for dinner, with gaps in between.  I set tables, served family-style, and cleaned up the dishes.   Spaghetti night was really special - rinsing the dishes and putting them in the rack to be washed.  You haven’t lived until you’ve had spaghetti grease up over your elbows!

Little Known Fact: “My name is in the sign-in book at the top of Mt. Rose.”  Who knew there was a book at 10,776 feet?  The day started with discussion about going as far as the waterfall, but not one to do anything half way, I ended up at the top.   It can be really windy up there, but they’ve solved this by building rock walls that act as wind breaks, in which is kept, of course, the sign-in book in a Ziploc bag!  It turned out to be a spectacular day with wild flowers in bloom and phenomenal views in all directions.    After a round trip of 9.6 miles, it was good to get back to the trailhead, but I have great memories when I look up at Mt. Rose from Reno and think, yeah, I was up there!