About ICON

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About ICON

Our solutions are experienced-based and sustainable.

Founded in 1992, ICON Agility Services (ICON) is a Lean-Agile coaching and training firm that is wholly devoted to improving the companies we work with. From our collaborative and customer-focused approach, ICON has earned a Gold Standard reputation for implementing SAFe for some of the world's largest enterprises. In addition to our SAFe Fellows and SPCTs, all our coaches are certified SAFe Program Consultants with expertise in topics including Lean Portfolio Management, OKRs, DevSecOps, Product Management, and Business Agility. For almost two decades and counting, we have approached all engagements with great enthusiasm and the drive to always be our best.

Our Track Record

First SAFe Partner for Scaled Agile, Inc in 2012
A top Scaled Agile Gold SPCT Transformation Partner
Contributors to all levels of the SAFe Framework
2 SAFe Fellows, Kathy Marshak and Charlene M. Cuenca, with 28 SAFe Fellows worldwide
9 SAFe Program Consultant Trainers (SPCTs) certified through ICON (both current and former SPCTs), with 64 SPCTs worldwide

Network of 300+ SPCs with minimum 5 years SAFe experience and 10 years Agile experience
Contributors to all levels of the SAFe Framework
Co-creators of SAFe DevSecOps
Trained 13,000+ certified SAFe professionals
4.5/5 average SAFe instructor rating
1000+ cumulative ARTs launched by ICON SAFe Coaches

Kathy Marshak

Kathy Marshak is a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Fellow and Agile Transformation Coach and instructor with ICON. For more than 20 years, she has helped clients improve how they deliver value to customers and stakeholders through the adoption and sustainment of lean and agile values, principles, and practices. She works with C-suites, leaders of teams of teams, and team members to guide the cultural changes required to make a new way of working stick. Kathy became a certified SAFe Fellow in 2019, an immense achievement. She became a SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) in 2012 and achieved the SPC Trainer (SPCT) certification in 2014.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kathy has leveraged her instructional design skills to create an engaging, interactive, and collaborative learning approach for online classes. Participants in her SAFe classes are happily surprised at the depth of learning, engagement, and fun they have. Before that, Kathy’s accomplishments include helping several organizations adopt SAFe and establish internal coaching programs and working with Dean Leffingwell, the creator of SAFe, to help a 3000-person program envision their SAFe transformation.

Kathy is grateful to her clients for their willingness to embrace change, run experiments, and collaborate to resolve challenges.

Charlene M. Cuenca

With over 26 years of professional experience, Charlene has been a leader in transforming organizations, leveraging Lean-Agile practices across multiple functions within an enterprise. Charlene has experience working with enterprise Agile initiatives with publicly traded corporations, large and small, as well as the Department of Defense for over 14 years. She is passionate about Agile and enjoys enabling enterprises on their journey towards organizational agility. A SAFe Fellow, SAFe Program Consultant Trainer (SPCT), and SAFe Contributor, Charlene has been part of several proven large-scale Agile Transformations providing portfolio, program, team, and leadership coaching and training, and frequently speaks at conferences including the SAFe Summits. When she is not working, Charlene can be found at the beach, listening to music, spending time with family and friends, sightseeing, and knocking items off of her bucket list.

Our Office Team

Lou Hawn
President and CEO

Lou Hawn

President and CEO

After founding ICON (then Insight Technology Group) in 1992, Lou spent ten years consulting and training clients on project management, software process, and software requirements. Today, Lou manages the business functions of the company and helps develop strategies for clients to get better value from their IT systems. Lou enjoys staying active and traveling with his family.

Stella O'Brien
Sr. VP Sales

Stella O'Brien

Sr. VP Sales

Stella has spent over 25 years with ICON, supporting the customer journey and providing the best people with tools for their success. She is responsible for and committed to nurturing relationships with her team, clients, coaches, and partners. She is passionate about building a community that people want to be a part of and helping others to achieve their goals. Stella loves spending time and traveling with her growing family!

Beth Elliott
VP Global Business Development

Beth Elliott

VP Global Business Development

Beth has been with ICON for over 25 years, taking on the key responsibilities of identifying new clients, coordinating educational offerings, managing intellectual property, and cultivating partnerships. She is highly motivated and passionate about fostering win-win partnerships between clients, coaches, and vendors. In her free time, she is equally, if not more so, passionate about winning at road cycling, downhill skiing, and tennis.

Katie Snelson
Director of Sales and Recruiting

Katie Snelson

Director of Sales and Recruiting

Since 2014, Katie has helped ICON's business grow by increasing sales from new and existing accounts, leading recruitment initiatives, and supporting company direction. Her background includes a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. She is passionate about taking care of her clients and encouraging a supportive work environment. Katie played D1 college soccer and maintains her love for the game by watching and coaching from the sideline.

Alex Brungardt
Business Development Manager

Alex Brungardt

Business Development Manager

Alex is responsible for lead generation, account management, full-cycle recruitment, training coordination, and process improvement for ICON. His strengths include establishing long-lasting relationships, creating an environment conducive to sustainable business growth, and communicating substantial service/product benefits to clients and consultants. Alex is a proactive, solutions-oriented, life-long learner with a passion for enabling companies and coaches to achieve their highest potential. In his spare time, he likes to work out, watch sports, and be with family.

Mike Bellinger
Global Business Development & Recruitment

Mike Bellinger

Global Business Development & Recruitment

Mike offers assistance in recruiting initiatives and supports account managers to identify Agile consultants. A former elementary school teacher, he has strong passions for building relationships and collaborating effectively. Mike is a graduate from Missouri State University with a Bachelors in Elementary Education and an Associate Teaching degree from St. Louis Community College. He is also an alumni of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, where he held positions as a New Member Educator, Community Service Chairman, and Assistant Treasurer. While away from the office, Mike enjoys competing in weight lifting competitions, spending time with family and friends, playing the drums, and hanging with his dog Beau.

Daylon Walton
Agile Engagement Manager

Daylon Walton

Agile Engagement Manager

Daylon started his career at IBM way back in the days before the dot-com boom. Over twenty years later, he's still enjoying the IT professional services and consulting space. As ICON's Agile Engagement Manager, Daylon helps leaders understand their business challenges and come up with practical roadmaps to utilize Agile. When he's not evangelizing the methodology, he likes to spend his time scuba diving and working on his photography skills.

Ryan Cherniawski
Sales Engagement Manager

Ryan Cherniawski

Sales Engagement Manager

After 19 years working in sales, operations and senior management for both large and small companies, Ryan has seen firsthand how old processes both slow down and hinder productivity in the workplace. With past experience in healthcare, food, retail, and automotive, Ryan helps businesses succeed not only for now but also for the long term, enabling them to be leaders in their industries. Ryan plays multiple sports and loves to fish. He enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

Scott Lix
IT Director, Full Stack Developer, ISO

Scott Lix

IT Director, Full Stack Developer, ISO

Scott started with ICON in 2000 and is the company's IT Director, Full Stack Developer, and ISO. He oversees the architecture and implementation of all ICON operational support systems. He designs, develops, and maintains a network of sites, databases, automated applications, custom CMS solutions, and procures & implements third party vendor SaaS solutions. Scott enjoys being creative, learning new things, staying active and supporting his daughter's soccer team.

Christa Opsal
Marketing Manager

Christa Opsal

Marketing Manager

Christa brings experience from large retail, non-profit and fintech organizations. Her roles include creating email campaigns and special events, editing content and collaborating with partners and coaches. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and family and her 135 pound dog Oliver.

Brenda Luebrecht
Director of Operations

Brenda Luebrecht

Director of Operations

Brenda has been with ICON since 2011, overseeing accounting and operations. Highly motivated and detail-oriented, she has taken on many behind-the-scenes responsibilities to ensure that the business runs smoothly and effectively. Brenda enjoys boating and working on the farm with her husband and son.

Emily Witt
Operations & Business Development

Emily Witt

Operations & Business Development

Emily works in Operations and Business Development. She is passionate about working with her team on all aspects of operations, sales, and marketing. She also oversees ICON's highly recognized training courses. A former zipline instructor, Emily likes to spend her spare time hiking and being outdoors.

Traci Hawn
Operations Manager

Traci Hawn

Operations Manager

Traci has been managing accounting and operations procedures at ICON since 2016. If someone needs assistance with paperwork, entering time and expenses, or invoicing, then she is the go-to girl. Traci likes to paint and spend quality time with her husband and adorable Golden Retriever.