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 Dick Bertrand
Professional Experience
Dick began his career as a policeman in Metropolitan Toronto, after deciding to change fields just before graduation from Teacher’s College. While working as a policeman and playing varsity ice hockey at York University in Toronto, Dick was recruited by Cornell University on a hockey scholarship. Dick was a captain on Cornell’s undefeated NCAA championship team (a record that has not since been duplicated). Upon graduating from Cornell, Dick immediately replaced his head coach, Ned Harkness, the most successful NCAA Division One hockey coach ever.
Dick is still one of the winningest coaches in NCAA Division One hockey, having coached Cornell for 12 years, winning several Ivy League and Eastern Conference titles, and taking his teams to the Frozen Four three times. He also served as the head coach at Ferris State University for four years, taking his teams to the playoffs every year.
After leaving Ferris State, Dick entered the mobile home, RV, auto and homeowners insurance business, where he began in sales and quickly found himself in management. From there, he went on to work in electronics and plastics manufacturing, where once again he started in sales and ended in management. Eventually, Dick founded his own consulting, sales and marketing company, which he ran successfully for seven years.
Consulting Experience
- Academic and Athletic Advising: Consulted with families and individuals on athletic and academic endeavors.
- Coaching: Coached numerous teams, coaches, and players to improve performance, leadership, delivery, and recruiting.
- Operations Leadership: Served as Director of Hockey Operations for East Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association for 10 years dealing with leadership and change.
- Strategic Planning: Participated on management and executive committees in insurance and manufacturing to formulate plans to meet goals and objectives.
- Team Building: Facilitated team building with athletic teams and businesses. Consulted with hockey associations, teams, coaches, families, and individuals in by-law creation, effective operation, and team development.
- Training: Facilitated athletic physical and mental training with teams and individuals. Facilitated business training with company employees. Developed a product to teach young kids to ice skate along with developing and conducting hockey camps, summer hockey leagues, and hockey specialty camps for kids of all ages.
Education and Awards
- Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University, with a major in Business
- Management and Marketing
- USA Hockey Master’s Coaching Accreditation from USA Hockey
- Licensed to sell real estate and insurance
- Captain of the Cornell University NCAA undefeated championship team
- All Ivy League player at Cornell University
Cornell University Athletic Hall of Fame for playing and coaching excellence
Personal Information
Dick lives in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. He enjoys spending time with his longtime partner Cris Gibb, along with playing tennis, ice skating, walking, reading, and working around the house.
Office: 616.956.3410 | Cell: 616.915.2229
E-mail: dbertrand@ponderaadvisors.com
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