May 11, 2003 The Times Leader - Martins Ferry, OH Martins Ferry native Alison R. Brown, president of ALMEC International, was recently nominated for Ohio Business Person of the Year. This prestigious award has been given since 1956 to recipients such as Robert Lazarus an Rhett Ricart. "To receive the nomination is such an honor," Brown said. "We strive to do the absolute best we can for our customers. I spent 18 years working in the Customer Service Department at American Electric Power, which directly contributes to the level of service we provide." Brown can definitely be called a risk taker. In 1995, she resigned from her 18-year job to start a company of her own. Even with the economy being what it is, she again stepped forward and made a bold statement. Brown believes in thinking outside thebox. Her recent method for demonstrating this...she planned an event in Columbus, Ohio, as a way of marketing her expertise. Now this was not just any event, but held in a venue that seats 1,200 people. "In the times we're in, you really need to have the type of mindset that is open to approaching business from different perspectives," she said. "The world is a very competitive place. Everyone is trying to survive." One of the services ALMEC International provides is exeuctive coaching. "change is occurring so rapidly. Leaders must be willing and able to take organizations in the direction they need to go. This is not always a comfortable process, especially when it requires us to modify our management style or business practices." Brown will be a contributing author to "Real World Leadership Strategies That Work," which will be released in the summer of 2003. During her research, companies such as IBM, Prudential and Hewlett-Packard shared information with Brown that has been instrumental in ranking them among the top 30 companies for executive women. Brown is featured in the book "Mission Possible" Volume three, along with Dr. Stephen Covey ("Seven Habits for Highly Effective People") and Pat Summitt (member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and coach of Tennessee Lady Vols) and nine other contributors. Brown will be presenting on the same platform with Dr. Stephen Covey and motivational speaker Les Brown in September. One of the courses Brown offers is "Geeting From Here to There™." The course is based on the principles of "Mission Possible". "Twelve people were featured in the book," Brown said. "The tag line is 'Learn how 12 great Americans achieved success. They did it. So can you.'" Brown said, "Collectively, there is over 125 years of experience from a group of professionals with commonalities that have enabled them to get to where they are. I have thought about offering a half-day class in the Ohio Valley. I don't know what the reception or level of interest would be." Brown is the daughter of William and Sandra Brown and had a book signing at the Martins Ferry Public Library last year. For more information or to order books online, visit www.almec.com, call (6140 755-4960 or e-mail Brown at alisonbrown@mindspring.com.   More...