George Walther is truly “Speaking From Experience®” with more than three decades of experience as a professional speaker keynoting conventions, sales conferences, and association gatherings around the world.  Beyond his credentials as a recognized business authority, he’s amassed an amazing array of life experiences:
  • Inducted to the National Speakers Association’s “Speakers Hall of Fame” in 1989; exceptionally riveting and entertaining on stage
  • Adventured in 99 countries (so far) with bizarre and hilarious stories, always translated into practical lessons for life and business
  • Crashed and burned his own airplane while learning to trust his gut
  • Authored numerous acclaimed business books and A/V programs published worldwide in multiple languages, featuring sales, service, and communication topics
  • After a decade of full-time single parenting, George is now a glowing newlywed, as well as a teenager’s dad!


  
 
  • Earned University of California B.A. Summa cum laude in Rhetoric and Public Address
  • Honors student at UCLA Graduate School of Management; earned MBA in Marketing
  • Worked through college and grad school as TWA airline campus sales representative
  • Recruited by major ad agency to handle national brand-name accounts
  • Felt the entrepreneurial urge in 1980 and left his corporate marketing position to became a full-time speaker/author
  • Parlayed business knowledge into career as professional seminar leader
  • Incorporated his own speaking and consulting company in 1983
  • In 1986, wrote his first book, Phone Power
  • Hired by many Fortune 500 companies as consultant/speaker
  • In 1989 received highest award for speaking skills and professionalism from National Speakers Association:  “CPAE” Speakers Hall of Fame
  • Created multiple audio/video training programs popular worldwide
  • Power Talking published in 1991 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
  • In 1992, received National Speakers Association’s “Certified Speaking Professional” (CSP) designation, joining fewer than 100 professional speakers to hold both CPAE and CSP
  • Upside-Down Marketing published in 1994 by McGraw-Hill
  • What You Say Is What You Get published in 2000
  • Heat Up Your Cold Calls published by Dearborn/Kaplan in 2005
  • All books have been widely published around the world in multiple languages, and as audio and video programs.

  • Known since early childhood as a kid with “the gift of gab”
  • Great-great-grandson of George Donner, leader of the 1846 ill-fated Donner Party pioneer wagon train; snowbound survivors cannibalized those who perished in the Sierra Nevada mountains
  • College sales rep job with TWA included free travel anywhere; often vagabonded around the world during spring break, summer, and Christmas holidays
  • Hitchhiked extensively on every continent except Antarctica; slept in village huts in the highlands of New Guinea, communed with tribal leaders in Africa, hiked ancient Inca trails in Andes, visited Angkor Wat temples, explored Petra archaeological site Jordan, and trekked to many UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Still travels widely, now generally at the request of multinational corporations who embrace his expertise to help them communicate better (usually sleeps in hotels these days; still enjoys youth hostels now and then)
  • Is a private pilot who enjoyed flying a Cessna 182 to the state of Washington’s many scenic wonders —until he crashed and burned on June 16, 1996 (fiery wreck resulted in the total destruction of the plane, no injuries, and a heck of a story.) Has piloted since, but doesn’t currently
  • Traded flying for something else with thrills and danger: Harleys. Owns Electra Glide Ultra for long trips and 95th Anniversary Heritage Springer for local rides
  • Proudest accomplishment: being an active, involved single dad to eighteen-year-old daughter, Kelcie. Raised her as custodial parent from age five
  • Newlywed in 2006 following amazing, unbelievable love story
  • Now living in Whistler, Canada, and maintains main office in a Seattle suburb