Leadership Refresh
Topic: What Executive Presence Really Is and Why It Matters
Speaker: Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, U.S. Army (Ret.)
In today’s business world, executive presence is a term everyone talks about — but few truly understand. It’s often confused with performance, behavior checklists, or even appearance. Yet if we haven’t clearly defined what presence actually is, it’s nearly impossible to show up as a leader who commands respect and influence.
Join Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, U.S. Army (Ret.) for a thought-provoking session where we go beyond surface behaviors to explore what executive presence really means. You’ll discover why presence isn’t a fashion statement or a set of polished skills — it’s the alignment between who you are and how you lead. When your internal compass — your values and authenticity — matches your external actions, that’s where true leadership presence lives.
This workshop will help you:
- Clarify the real meaning of executive presence and why it matters
- Understand the difference between performance and authentic influence
- Explore how value-driven leadership builds trust and inspires others
- Leave with insights to step into presence with more confidence and impact
The cost to attend is $15 for Chamber members or $30 for nonmembers. Leadership Winter Park Lifetime Alumni Association members attend for free. Click HERE to verify if you are a Lifetime Alumni Association Member.
About the Speaker
Lieutenant General Mark Hertling (Ret.) served 38 years in the U.S. Army as a tanker and cavalryman, serving at every level from platoon leader on the East-West German border to Commander of the US Army, Europe (USAREUR) and the 7th Army. His service included 38 months in combat — as a major in a cavalry squadron during Desert Storm, as an Assistant Division Commander in the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad in 2003-4, and as the Commander of the 1st Armored Division and Multinational Task Force Iron in Northern Iraq in 2007-8 during the surge. Later, during his time as Commander of USAREUR, he was heavily engaged in theater security cooperation activities with over 50 nations.
Since retiring in 2013, Lt. Gen. Hertling (Ret.) has been a senior healthcare executive, creating physician leadership programs and authoring the Amazon bestseller Growing Physician Leaders. He spent a decade as a CNN military analyst, continues to advise healthcare and national security organizations, and writes frequently on leadership and global affairs. He is also a Professor of Practice in Strategic Leadership at the Crummers School of Business at Rollins College and previously served on the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition and as Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission. His latest book, If I Don't Return: A Father's Wartime Journal, will be released in March 2026.
A West Point graduate, Mark holds multiple master’s degrees and a Doctor of Business Administration from Rollins College. A St. Louis native, he and his wife of 50 years, Sue, have two sons and seven grandchildren.
Sponsored by:
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Date and Time
Friday Apr 17, 2026
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM EDT
Location
Winter Park Chamber of Commerce
151 West Lyman Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789
Fees/Admission
Chamber members - $15
Nonmembers - $30
LWP Lifetime Alumni Association - FREE
Registration is required.
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