Motivation Excellence Marks Milestone Year with Leadership Transition and New CFO Title

Motivation Excellence Announces Leadership Changes

As Motivation Excellence celebrates a remarkable milestone of 40 years in the incentives and meetings industry, the company has made noteworthy changes to its management team. In a recent announcement, Motivation Excellence informed its employees about new leadership roles, which included the appointment of Bob Graham as the sole President and CEO and Michelle Ebner as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This transition comes after the passing of long-time owner David Jobes in 2024.

Previously, Graham and Ebner served as co-Presidents/CEOs during a transitional period that aimed to provide continuity amid significant change. The Board of Directors recognized the collaborative efforts of both leaders during this challenging time. Denise Jobes, the owner and board member, expressed her gratitude, stating, "We appreciate the collaboration Bob and Michelle demonstrated during a difficult time. They were pillars the rest of the company could count on. We're confident their new roles will highlight their strengths and solidify the positive track Motivation Excellence is on."

Bob Graham, who joined Motivation Excellence in 2001, has extensive experience in the performance improvement industry. His expertise in data analytics and outcome projection has earned him a strong reputation within the company. Graham expressed his commitment towards the firm's success, saying, "I care deeply about the success of Motivation Excellence, our team, and our clients. I look forward to continuing our level of service while exploring new efficiencies and expanding our internal team in 2025."

Michelle Ebner, formerly the VP of Finance, shared her enthusiasm for her new role as CFO. "It was an honor to step into the co-CEO role with Bob, but focusing on the financial security and growth of the company is where I can offer the best guidance," she stated.

The adjustments in leadership were effective from January 1, 2025, and employees were informed during the January company-wide meeting. Besides Graham and Ebner, the leadership team includes notable figures such as Brad Hecht, Senior VP Travel and Chief Travel Strategist, Kelli Robb, VP Travel Operations, and Rhonda Brewer, VP Sales.

Motivation Excellence, renowned for its high-end travel and merchandise incentives as well as its corporate meetings and events, aims to enhance performance and inspire extraordinary results for its clients. The organization employs a suite of services informed by data-driven metrics to craft bespoke solutions that mitigate risks and maximize outcomes while delivering invaluable business intelligence.

As they embark on this new chapter, Motivation Excellence remains focused not just on celebrating its legacy, but also on carving a path toward future innovation and success in the incentives and meetings industry. Stakeholders and clients alike are excited about the direction under this newly solidified leadership.