My Background

I grew up in church and new the facts and rituals from an early age. I never doubted the facts in the Christian faith. I have always “believed” but did not discover “faith” until my mid 30’s when God began to “open my eyes”. Looking at my early days I can see God’s hand touching my life from my earliest years.

Faith is an amazing journey. Faith is a gift from God. You cannot choose to have faith. You cannot work hard to get faith. You can only have the faith He gives you.

I desire to share my thoughts with you. Please understand they are my thoughts. I challenge you to let these thoughts help you think deeply about what you believe. You may agree or disagree with me, but please know why you believe what you believe.

I am a retired Business Leader and Business Coach with 50+ years of management experience in multiple manufacturing settings, including People Development, Quality System Management, Safety, Operations Management, Efficiency Engineering and recently as an independent Consultant. Having been the People Development Director for a multi-location manufacturing company that was awarded the “Best Place to Work in West Michigan,” three years out of four in a row, I have a proven vision and ability to establish a business culture that focuses on core values and achieves results.

The reason for that success is focusing on the people. In business, in families and in friendships people are the core of everything. Helping people become all that God created them to be is the most rewarding time I have ever spent.

Now as a retired Christian Life Coach I have a passion for helping Christians build into the people the Lord has put on their path with Biblical values.

My prayer is the blogs and e-books on this website are a blessing to you. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Testimonials

Chuck Bobeldyk, President and Owner of Mark-Maker Company

Several years ago, while passing through our office, I saw a kind old soul of a man standing there. I shook his hand and introduced myself to Tom Stanfield. Tom came to Mark-Maker in response to a request we had made for help with an ISO need for a potential customer. His assignment over the next several months was to bring us up to speed so that we could become ISO compliant. Doing so would help us secure flexographic plate business from this potential customer.

Mark-Maker achieved ISO 9000 several years earlier and as of late we are still compliant with the standards. However, we needed help with the new medical standards. This is where Tom came in. He reviewed each and every record we had. He set up records on our server for all to access. Training records were also brought up to speed. Internal Auditors were trained and we began auditing every department.

Audits from our potential customer had taken place prior to Tom’s arrival, and the fact that much work was still needed secured Tom’s presence at Mark-Maker. Tom, the part-time guy from Express Employment Professionals, became a permanent part-time fixture here at Mark-Maker and he was liked by all. Often, he could weed through the issues we were experiencing with a phrase he would often say, “It is your business, but if it were me this is the way I would do it.” Somehow, he would offer us a solution and the problem would be resolved.

One year later we successfully passed he customer’s audit. Very soon after that we entered into contract negotiations with that potential customer. Now, ten years later we are still producing flexographic plates for this customer. We are enjoying the benefits of a strong business relationship which is built on satisfying strict requirements and outstanding work structures put in place by Tom Stanfield.

Tom then moved on to other projects within our company, such as: Production Efficiencies, Error Tracking, Quality Control, Management Review, Seven Habits training, hiring assistance, Supervisor Problem Solving and Succession Planning.

Tom has been a delight to work with. Personally, I see him as a business mentor and a spiritual mentor. We often intertwine stories of God working in our lives and issues at work. Our faith is an integral part of our work.

When Tom’s work is done here at Mark-Maker, I picture him going off into the sunset like a Clint Eastwood type character who has completed his mission to clean up the town (Mark-Maker). Until then, we will enjoy him and appreciate all that he does here.

Charlie Frederick, Vice President – Manufacturing and Operations, Paragon D & E

It has been my pleasure and blessing to refer to Tom Stanfield as a friend, colleague, and mentor.

I was drawn to Tom from the very beginning when we met during an interview years ago. I found Tom to be incredibly easy to relate to – he has an easy going, unpretentious humility in his approach. I initially worked with Tom at a consulting firm where we provided clients with growth and leadership support and training.  Tom brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to any project, and shares practical advice along the way.

We look for opportunities to bring Tom in to work with our Paragon D&E family.  Tom has helped us with leadership training, team building, apprentice development, personnel assessments, and strategy.  Our team and leaders are stronger and more skilled thanks to Tom’s influence and coaching.

I have a great deal of respect for Tom.  He has a strong, active faith that is obvious in his daily walk.  Tom is wise in a great many subjects, and I look forward to learning something valuable with each encounter. I consider myself to be a more effective executive and a better person because of my experience with Tom.

 If you are looking for a great business mentor or life coach, Tom Stanfield is a fantastic choice!