Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Transitions at Kolbe Corp will be announced publicly soon, but I wanted to personally share them with you ahead of that. I founded the business 28 years ago to build an organization that would develop products and services that maximize human potential. The goal was to reach as broad a marketplace as possible with solutions people would find of such value that they would pay a fair price for them. I went with a for-profit model because I believed it was the best way to assure we always delivered high value.

For almost three decades Kolbe Corp has withstood economic swings, intellectual property rip-offs, personal challenges, fires, floods, and just about every other calamity that could cause the downfall of a business.

The company has thrived because of its mission.

The company endured because that mission drew to it thousands of clients who have benefited from its products and services. The core client base has always collaborated with the leadership at Kolbe to provide the synergy necessary for ever-improving performance on our part.

No one person could be the "keeper of the flame" or the protector of the integrity of the underlying principles behind Kolbe Corp. When Will Rapp joined the executive team 14 years ago, he brought experience, tenacity, and his personal wisdom to the endeavor. Ten years ago, Amy Bruske arrived with an energy and professionalism that has proven to be undaunted. David Kolbe has been involved for 25 years, and is the co-author of the basic algorithms that are the core of the Kolbe Indexes. His mathematical collaborations with me began when he was in high school. His strategies during his tenure as its President have been a significant part of the corporation's success in facing serious marketplace issues.

The vast majority of the entrepreneurs who started their enterprises about the time I incorporated Kolbe Corp lost them long ago. Because of poor tax planning, changes in the economy, or lack of quality successors, many that have survived so far won't be able to sustain themselves as the time comes for the founders to step aside.

It is with great pride that I can announce to you that as of March 31, David Kolbe will become the CEO of Kolbe Corp. He has proven to have the integrity, intelligence and shared sense of mission that make it possible for me to be at peace in doing so. His degree in business from the Wharton School and legal experience as a practicing attorney have prepared him well for this strategic role. Will and Amy will continue as very key members of his executive team. All of them will serve on the Board of Directors, which I will continue to chair. I will also continue to work with the company in developing new concepts, products and in doing training.

As I have been working from my home for two years, the reins of the business have been steadily and comfortably transitioning to David and his team. The true test of the success of this process has been evidenced in the time and energy I have been able to spend writing, designing new theory-based constructs, getting involved in brain research, and revving up another organization I also formed in the 1970's.

In April, 2004, I will be unveiling numerous initiatives which will be undertaken by the Center for Conative Research, a non-profit foundation, whose mission is to identify ways and means of uncovering the power of the conative dimension of the mind to improve learning, relationships and health. The first of these programs - geared to helping parents and educators bring out the best in kids' innate abilities - is one you will be able to participate in. Watch for the pre-announcement of it in the next few days. Since it will be a first come-first served enrollment, I will be giving you the particulars ahead of others. All of the proceeds of programs conducted by the Center will go toward further research and educational program development.

Kolbe Corp has been the lab for many of the business applications I have developed for the Kolbe Wisdom. We've made plenty of mistakes - and have corrected them through the use of the 5 rules for trusting your guts. Now, with seven grandkids, who are thankfully a part of my everyday life, the call to go back to my first love of working with and on behalf of youngsters is compelling. I thank God that I can feel free to do so, knowing that I am leaving the work of Kolbe Corp in all of your good hands.

Sincerely,

Kathy Kolbe
Kolbe Corp