Nearly 30 years ago I was introduced to a leader in the field of personal development. My father opened a closet in his home and handed me a giant binder filled with audiotapes and pages of great advice and information. This was the work of Lou Tice, founder of The Pacific Institute.

I was connected for life to the powerful words and message Lou Tice drilled into my conscious and subconscious mind. He became my life long hero for personal improvement and change.

Lou Tice was a high school football coach who came to study the dynamics of human behavior. This led to the founding of his company. Tice also was an advocate of change around the world. He would go into impoverished countries to help governments change for the better of their people. Only someone with real love in his or her heart would go to this extreme.

I learned so much personally from the teachings of Lou Tice. Truly I can say that my endeavor into the need to give back through personal development, achievement, and excellence was brought about by the seed he left in my mind.

Not only was I a student of Lou Tice, I was a facilitator for his Investment in Excellence program. About three years ago I finally got to meet Mr. Tice at a breakfast event. As a matter of fact he sat right next to me so I got the opportunity to share my story of how I was introduced to him and his life changing personal improvement program that my father gave me.

A few days ago Lou Tice passed away. I write this to honor his commitment to his family and to those who has inspired and changed. These are the heroes we must allow into our hearts and our minds.