Chris Westfall
Encyclopedia
Chris Westfall is an American motivational speaker, entrepreneur and author from Dallas, TX, best known as the national elevator pitch champion. According to former Kodak CMO and “Celebrity Apprentice
” guest star, Jeffrey W. Hayzlett
, Westfall has the best two-minute speech in the USA. In his book, "The Mirror Test", Hayzlett says that the new elevator speech is 118 seconds long – about the length of the average elevator ride in New York City. Westfall was recognized as the grand prize winner of the elevator pitch competition in February 2011. Westfall has appeared on CNN
, ABC NEWS
, NBC-TV, and has worked in broadcast for some of the largest companies in the world. His first book will be published by Greenleaf in 2012.
Currently, Westfall is the owner of Westfall & Associates LLC and Your Online Video], a Dallas-based video production company. He is a featured keynote speaker for Hewlett Packard (NYSE: HP) where he aids international sales executives with advanced leadership strategies.
Westfall began his career with a series of progressive marketing and sales responsibilities at Fortune 100 companies(Verizon and AT&T
). He also led international branding efforts at TIGI International, a division of Unilever, where he led key aspect of the company's marketing. As an executive at AMX Corporation, he built sales teams from scratch while managing marquee partnerships with Hilton
, Hyatt
, MGM Mirage
and Starwood
. Westfall has built and led sales teams from scratch, and spearheaded the introduction of innovative new software and hardware product solutions. He later ran worldwide sales and marketing for NuVo Technologies, a Cincinnati-based manufacturer of home audio solutions.
Chris Westfall obtained his undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University
(SMU) in Dallas, TX. He received his Master in Business Administration from Texas Christian University
(TCU), recognized by the Princeton Review as the top school in the nation for developing strong business communications skills, where he graduated with honors. He has been recognized with a top teaching award for his work with MBA students at the top-10 MBA program at Southern Methodist University
. TCU has honored him as the "Communicator of the Year". Originally from Chicago
, Westfall resides in Dallas with his wife and two daughters, and is an avid supporter of the performing arts.
Celebrity Apprentice
Celebrity Apprentice is a variation of the TV series, The Apprentice, in which the competitors are already celebrities from various walks of life. Thus far, the concept has been used, with some variations, in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.Installments of the American series...
” guest star, Jeffrey W. Hayzlett
Jeffrey W. Hayzlett
Jeffrey W. Hayzlett is an American executive who served for four years as the Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of the Eastman Kodak Company, reporting to Kodak Chairman and CEO Antonio M...
, Westfall has the best two-minute speech in the USA. In his book, "The Mirror Test", Hayzlett says that the new elevator speech is 118 seconds long – about the length of the average elevator ride in New York City. Westfall was recognized as the grand prize winner of the elevator pitch competition in February 2011. Westfall has appeared on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, ABC NEWS
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
, NBC-TV, and has worked in broadcast for some of the largest companies in the world. His first book will be published by Greenleaf in 2012.
Currently, Westfall is the owner of Westfall & Associates LLC and Your Online Video], a Dallas-based video production company. He is a featured keynote speaker for Hewlett Packard (NYSE: HP) where he aids international sales executives with advanced leadership strategies.
Westfall began his career with a series of progressive marketing and sales responsibilities at Fortune 100 companies(Verizon and AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
). He also led international branding efforts at TIGI International, a division of Unilever, where he led key aspect of the company's marketing. As an executive at AMX Corporation, he built sales teams from scratch while managing marquee partnerships with Hilton
Hilton
-Companies:* Hilton Worldwide, a global hospitality company based in the United States** Hilton Hotels, an international chain of hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide** Hilton Garden Inn, a chain of hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide...
, Hyatt
Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation , is an international operator of hotels.Hyatt Center is the headquarters for Hyatt corporation...
, MGM Mirage
MGM Mirage
Not to be confused with the Las Vegas, Nevada based casino/resort operator Resorts International Holdings.MGM Resorts International is a Paradise, Nevada based corporation that brands itself as a global hospitality company. It is the second largest gaming company in the world by revenue - about...
and Starwood
Starwood
Starwood may refer to:* Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide* Starwood Amphitheatre* Starwood Club of Los Angeles, California* Starwood Festival...
. Westfall has built and led sales teams from scratch, and spearheaded the introduction of innovative new software and hardware product solutions. He later ran worldwide sales and marketing for NuVo Technologies, a Cincinnati-based manufacturer of home audio solutions.
Chris Westfall obtained his undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
(SMU) in Dallas, TX. He received his Master in Business Administration from Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
(TCU), recognized by the Princeton Review as the top school in the nation for developing strong business communications skills, where he graduated with honors. He has been recognized with a top teaching award for his work with MBA students at the top-10 MBA program at Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
. TCU has honored him as the "Communicator of the Year". Originally from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Westfall resides in Dallas with his wife and two daughters, and is an avid supporter of the performing arts.