PATRICK THEAN is a renowned speaker, CEO coach, and serial entrepreneur, as well as a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. His expertise has graced NBC, CBS, and Fox platforms. In 1996, Patrick was honored as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in North Carolina and propelled his inaugural venture to #151 on the Inc. 500 (now the Inc. 5000). CEOs using his method have achieved increased company valuation by 10X, and achieved Unicorn status and a successful IPO on Nasdaq. Currently CEO and Co-Founder of Rhythm Systems, he dedicates himself to guiding CEOs toward transformative breakthroughs, against common failures, and achieving their dreams. MICHAEL PRAEGER is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AvidXchange (Nasdaq listed—AVDX), the leading provider of accounts payable and payment automation solutions for middle market companies. An expert on fintech, payments innovation, entrepreneurism and leadership, Michael has been an active participant and speaker at various industry conferences. Michael received a BSBA in Finance from Georgetown University.
""Patrick nailed it! I LOVE the seven practices. They deliver the foundational steps for success in business. Arbill is living proof!"" Julie Copeland CEO and President, Arbill ""Patrick Thean's The Journey to CEO Success is a masterclass in leadership and growth. As a client of Patrick's during some of my company's most pivotal moments, I can attest that this book contains the key wisdom that helped me succeed as a CEO and will be an indispensable guide for any leader aiming to navigate the complexities of CEO life with grace and success."" Mort O'Sullivan Founder, ARCA ""Mike never focused on the risk that AvidXchange might not be successful, but always on creating a culture of winning. He knew growing his leadership skills and nurturing a culture of teamwork was core to building a great company."" Jim Hausman *Former CFO, Public Company; current Board Member, AvidXchange * ""Having seen Mike grow his company from $30mm to $500mm in revenue, and even more importantly, grow enormously as a leader, I am grateful that he's taken the time to share his journey and insights with the world."" Matthew Harris Partner, Bain Capital ""Michael Praeger has a rare combination of operational strength and optimism that has powered AvidXchange to its current success with his great executive team. This book is a step towards bottling and sharing his wisdom."" Teresa Mackintosh Partner, Blue Star Innovation Partners; current Board Member, AvidXChange; former CEO, Trintech ""Mike Praeger is relentless in his pursuit of possibilities. He is a master at envisioning a compelling future and then bringing it into reality."" Mike Whitehead CEO and Founder, Center For Intentional Leadership ""When our company was at a critical stage in our development, Patrick and his team helped us understand the importance of vision, refine our mission, and emphasize the need for a system to manage our priorities. With their help, we grew into one of the largest and most respected staffing companies in America. I highly recommend Patrick and Michael's The Journey to CEO Success for anyone who wants to be a more effective and successful leader."" Dr. Jay Cohen Co-Founder, Dexian (formerly Signature Consultants) ""I have known Patrick and Michael for more than 10 years. The wisdom reflected in The Journey to CEO Success is not only a profound guide for leaders but also an embodiment of their collaborative genius, offering practical and effective strategies that are indispensable for any C-Level executive. This book no doubt will be celebrated by many for its actionable advice, and is a must-read for leaders wishing to enhance their journey with proven methods that have already paved the way to success for numerous C-Level executives."" Geoff Gray Chief Customer Relationship Officer, Dexian