REF Indiana
Leaders Powered by Collective Intelligence
REF is a Global organization of Peer Advisory Boards for Top-Tier Business Leaders.
At REF Indiana we are focused on the Professional and Personal development of business owners and executives. The organization connects business leaders from non-competing industries into an exclusive group of 12 to 15 members.
REF, formerly Renaissance Executive Forums, is a global organization that brings together peer advisory boards for top-tier business executives.
Forum Groups are the core of the different REF memberships.
Members access the Collective Intelligence of their Peers in an environment of trust and confidentiality, locally and globally.
We propel Collective Intelligence through a personal, professional, and business development approach.
Founded in the USA 30 years ago.
With a focus on Northern Indiana we have formed groups of Top Executives, CFO’s, CIO’s and COO’s in the South Bend / Elkhart area, along with Fort Wayne, Warsaw, Northwest Indiana and the Auburn / Angola area.
Today our Community is over 125 members strong and growing as we focus on our BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) of improving the lives of 100,000 families.
Peer advisory board comprised of 12 to 15 CEOs, Presidents, and Owners (depending on membership type)
Non-competing industries
Meet one morning a month
Facilitated by a certified REF Forum Leader
Safe space for discussion and debate
Culture of transparency, trust and confidentiality
Each meeting is guided by a forum leader who follows REF’s exclusive methodology. Members have a clear objective: to unleash the group’s collective intelligence to make better strategic decisions, to reach their next business, professional, and personal goals, and receive the support of their peers in an environment of absolute confidentiality.
In their Forum Groups, Members present their biggest strategic challenges and exchange constructive, actionable advice from a diversity of perspectives. This gives them the clarity they need to find transcendent solutions and achieve their personal, professional and business goals.
Regular monthly Forum meeting structure:
Educational Component: Update doses with Experts on topics of interest for Business Leaders.
Round Table: Exchange dynamics of personal and business best practices.
Case: A member presents their biggest challenge, and other members of the group share whate they would do in their shoes.
Special annual Forums:
Escape: One-day group retreat focused on personal development.
Offsite: Group trip featuring workshop on strategies for personal and professional success.
All Members Meeting: Annual meeting with other local or regional Groups.
1:1 Coaching.
Strategies For Success annual 2-day retreat.
Access to REF's app: Network & Digital Community
Expert Insights: Webinars with Experts about major shifts and trends.
Industry & Interest Networks: International Forum Groups, exchange of best practices and opportunities.
Events: Global, Regional & Local Network.
Unique Experiences: Curated trips, leisure & retreats.
Improved Decision-Making
Accelerated personal, professional and business growth
Global Network of Business Leaders
Meaningful Relationships
At REF, members have access to the wisdom that emerges from the Collective Intelligence of leaders with exceptional backgrounds.
REF provides a unique space where members gain clarity to make their most important and challenging business, professional and personal decisions.
Selective trust-based Forum Groups made up of top-tier business leaders (by invitation only)
Forum Groups led by Forum leaders with business experience.
Case method.
Holistic approach: Personal, professional, and business growth.
Continuous education through leading professionals.
Introspection, reflection, and planning.
We propel Collective Intelligence
Meet our Team in REF Indiana
Bill is the Managing Partner of REF Indiana, part of a global organization of Business Owners, CEOs, and Executives that focuses on peer-to-peer learning through Collective Intelligence. Bill has been part of REF Indiana since 2012 as a Forum Leader, COO, and Partner.
Bill graduated from Clarion University of PA with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and the University of Notre Dame with a Master of Business Administration. He worked for large private and public companies in Accounting & Finance for over 20 years before finding his “entrepreneurial spirit” where he started and worked in several different businesses in the service and professional services industries.
Bill is a mentor, coach and connector, bringing his over 40 years of varied experiences to build relationships, impact professional and personal lives and positively impact communities.
Bill has been a Forum Leader, COO and partner since 2012 and runs the South Bend Northern Indiana Regional Top Executive Group, two South Bend area CFO Groups, and two Ft. Wayne Top Executive Groups.
Craig C. Sroda is a visionary leader with over 35 years in the technology field. He is the CEO and founder of VCIO Global, providing fractional CIO services, aligning leadership teams, and devising technology strategies. Craig's entrepreneurial spirit is also evident in his founding and leading of Pinnacle of Indiana, showcasing his ability to drive growth and innovation. A passionate mentor and author, he focuses on self-awareness and intentional living, helping others to identify and use their natural strengths. His unique approach combines technology expertise with a deep commitment to personal and professional development.
Craig was a Forum Leader for several years and assisted in content creation and was a presenter at our annual retreat Strategies for Success since 2012. Craig was also a member of REF IN Trusted Advisors group and in 2024 became Partner along with Bill McDonough.
Charlie Mitchell’s background was in Accounting, but he quickly moved into General Management and has over 25 years of Senior Executive Management experience including over 10 years as a CEO/President of two diverse manufacturing companies. He specialized in initiating and driving change with a focus on revenue growth, continuous improvement, lean methodologies, and building and empowering successful teams in both small, “family-owned,” and Fortune 500 companies.
Charlie has a BS in Accounting and an MBA degree from Indiana University. He is passionate about keeping the team focused on their primary goals to add value to all stakeholders. Charlie has been a Forum Leader since 2022 and runs the South Bend Northern Indiana Regional Top Executive Group + COO Group.
Clifford M. Clarke is president of C2 IT Advisors, LLC, a strategic information technology advisory firm providing consulting services in strategic planning, project management, and policy development. He has served as the Chief Information Officer for several public and private sector entities.
Clarke joined the Renaissance Executive Forum as a forum leader in 2020. Clarke has been developing the next level of information technology leaders for decades. He holds several professional certifications along with an MBA with concentrations in entrepreneurship and human resources. Clifford has been a Forum Leader since 2021 and runs the Ft Wayne Northern Indiana Regional CIO Group.
John Regan has 38 years of entrepreneurship under his belt, founding and owning Fabric Services from 1988-2007, and buying and owning Abercrombie Textiles from 2006-2019. John was a member of a similar CEO Forum group from 1989-1998 and witnessed the value of collective intelligence early on in his career. Being able to come full circle and lead a group of entrepreneurial leaders at REF IN is equally rewarding.
Outside of being a forum leader, John and his wife Dawn have been married for 40 years. They enjoy living in the mountains of western North Carolina, and the outdoor activities that come with that location. Spending time with their 4 children and their families, which includes 2 grandchildren and a third due soon, is the highest of priorities. Their long-standing faith keeps both of them grounded.
Raising their family on a small gentleman farm in Middlebury IN provided the basis for life that included “work ethic” to be developed by all. This foundation paved the way for continued success for all of the family members in whatever career and family paths they chose. We are grateful, blessed and forever willing to help those that are willing to help themselves. John has been a Forum Leader since 2021 and runs the South Bend Northern Indiana Regional Top Executive Group.
Mike Peters is an experienced business executive with a broad base of business knowledge. Mike is formally trained as a CPA with public accounting experience. He has been the managing partner of a private equity firm as well as the owner and CEO of a large distribution business and a manufacturing company.
Mike has also been a board member of a public company, gaining extensive knowledge in business financing, strategic planning, operations, investor relations, company culture development, and all aspects of accounting and sales. He has experience in working with small privately held businesses and their leadership teams as well as being part of the leadership team of a public company. Mike has been a Forum Leader since 2023 and runs the Auburn/Angola Northern Indiana Regional Top Executive Group.
Our Purpose
Is to accelerate the personal, professional, and business evolution of our Members, because we believe evolved and connected leaders are a positive force in the world.
CEO, Owner, President, or equivalent.
SMB: $5M-$30M in revenue.
Corporate: $30M-$300M in revenue.
Large Corporations: More than $300M in revenue.
C-Suite and upper management.
Corporate: $30M-$300M in revenue.
Large Corporations: More than $300M in revenue.
REQUIREMENTS:
Small, growing companies with a defined product or service in the early stages of development.
Revenues - $1M - $10M
Number Of Employees – 1 to 15
REF's Impact
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“I have really enjoyed being a part of my forum group. In particular I have appreciated being able to share on a deep level about business topics as well as personal life.”
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“When we share time truly listening to one another and our challenges, we are often able to hear beyond the surface issue and help each other go deeper”
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“I joined Executive Forums in 2014 not entirely knowing what to expect. Through the years, the advice and insight I have received from my peers has been astounding!”
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“REF has enhanced my decision-making and fostered continuous personal and professional development. Elevating my business with diverse insights, network, and growth.”
