Cal Ripken Jr.
Joint General Session with Keynote by "The Iron Man" Cal Ripken


One of the true legends of baseball, "Iron Man" Cal Ripken, Jr. broke several professional records during his 21 seasons, but none is as sacred as his consecutive-games-played record. Shattering Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,131 games by more than 500, Ripken displayed perseverance, endurance, and an everyday work ethic that endeared him to fans, transformed him into a national icon, and some argue, even saved baseball at its darkest moment.

An inspirational speaker, Cal Ripken, Jr. is the personification of leadership, commitment, and excellence and exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau. In warm and witty presentations filled with stories from his illustrious career, he shares how his keys to success apply to both the business world as well as the baseball field. From his own philanthropy with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to building character and teaching critical life lessons to at-risk youth across the country, Ripken showcases how individuals can give back and create new opportunities for others. One of the most popular athletes of his generation, Cal Ripken, Jr.'s example inspires audience members of all ages to achieve their own brand of success.

A best-selling author, Ripken’s latest book, Just Show Up: And Other Enduring Values from Baseball’s Iron Man, shares his core values and principles for success – outlining eight rules for the game of baseball and life, drawn from the lessons he has learned on and off the field. He has written numerous other books on sports and parenting, including his New York Times best-selling autobiography, The Only Way I Know How, as well as a baseball-themed series of youth novels through Disney Book Group.

Using the platform that baseball has provided him, Ripken is dedicated to helping grow the game he loves worldwide. Today, he is the President of Ripken Baseball, a program aimed to inspire athletes through remarkable experiences. Ripken Baseball currently owns and operates minor league clubs, world-class youth baseball facilities, a memorabilia company, and a management and design company that builds state-of-the-art athletic complexes. Named Special Adviser to MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, on youth programs and outreach, he advises the MLB’s Youth Programs Department on strategies and initiatives designed to grow the sports of baseball and softball at the amateur and youth levels.

Ripken’s role as an ambassador for the game was taken to a new level when he was named as a special envoy for the U.S. State Department, traveling worldwide teaching baseball to children and representing the United States. In this role, he has traveled to Japan to spend time with children affected by the earthquake and tsunami as well the Czech Republic to advance the cause of baseball.

Aaron Witt
BuildWitt
CEO
NSSGA Breakout: Workforce Developments and Sharing Successes


Aaron Witt is the self-proclaimed "Chief Dirt Nerd" and CEO of BuildWitt,
a marketing and software business focused on helping the Dirt World
(infrastructure and natural resources) solve its workforce challenge.
He started the company five years ago after studying engineering and
working for companies like Kiewit and Skanska.

BuildWitt's mission to "make the Dirt World a better place" is ambitious,
leading to the company's recent growth beyond marketing. While
storytelling is crucial to inspiring the next generation, BuildWitt's also
working to help companies effectively train and build a digital community
for the industry.

Aaron splits his time between leading BuildWitt's team of over eighty
wonderful humans and traveling across America and worldwide to visit
job sites and meet the people of the Dirt World.

You can follow his adventures on social media, YouTube, or by listening to
the Dirt Talk podcast.