Our Team
ABOUT THE AUTHORS AND TRAINING TEAM
Top 20 Training was founded by Paul Bernabei, Tom Cody, Mary Cole, Michael Cole, and Willow Sweeney in 2001. During that time, they have trained over 40,000 teachers, parents, coaches, professionals and 10,000 students. They have also co-authored three books: Top 20 Teens: The Best-kept Thinking, Learning and Communicating Secrets of Successful Teenagers; Top 20 Parents: Raising Happy, Responsible and Emotionally Healthy Children; and Top 20 Teachers: The Revolution in American Education.
Paul Bernabei directs Top 20 Training and has been leading the initiative to transform American education and bring Top 20 to schools around the world. Paul travels the U.S. presenting Top 20 Training seminars. He has been an educator in Twin Cities schools for over 30 years, has conducted hundreds of retreats for youth and adults, and directs Share-a-Life, a program that provides housing and support for pregnant women in crisis. A graduate of St. John’s University and the University of St. Thomas, Paul and his wife Paula, a kindergarten teacher, have four daughters and eight grandchildren. They live in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Tom Cody shares his insights and wisdom gathered from over 35 years in the classroom as a presenter of Top 20 seminars throughout the U.S. His professional life has been committed to education, serving as a grade school and high school math teacher since 1974. He has been instrumental in developing innovative curriculum programs at Cretin-Derham Hall High School. He has coached several athletic teams and was a newspaper columnist for over 20 years. A graduate of Colorado State University, Tom and his wife Judy, a fifth grade teacher, have three sons. They live in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Michael Cole has been a seminar educator for 30 years. For 20 years he has been co-founder and president of Salon Development Corporation, an international company specializing in business training. He is a world-renowned recipient of numerous awards for his contribution in helping thousands of professionals transform their lives. In addition to co-authoring three Top 20 books, Michael has also authored three books and training materials on personal and professional development.
Mary Cole is the co-founder and vice-president of Salon Development Corporation. For the 20 years she has developed materials, programs and products provided by her company. She facilitates training sessions with Michael, her husband and business partner. The Coles have two children and two grandchildren. They reside in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Willow Sweeney facilitates Top 20 Training seminars throughout the U.S. She specializes in communication and relationship topics. For eight years Willow taught social studies at Cretin-Derham Hall High School. Her classes included world cultures and social justice. Willow co-taught T.L.C. with Tom Cody and helped develop the curriculum of the Top 20 Class for the next 5 years. Her exceptional ability to build instant rapport with people has helped make Top 20 Training relevant to their lives. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, and a graduate of the University of St. Thomas, Willow, her husband Brian and their two sons now reside in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Mike Nead supports the marketing efforts and business development for Top 20 Training. He has spent the past 19 years working in sales, marketing, video production and training. After producing Top 20’s first marketing video, Mike was inspired to spread the word and help other people develop their potential. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and received his Master of Business Communication from the University of St. Thomas. Mike, his wife Stephanie and their daughter live in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Sharon Kaniess and Elaine Rilley are co-authors of Top 20 Parents. Sharon has taught in St. Paul’s Early Childhood Family Education Program for 16 years. She has a Masters of Education and is an Early Childhood and School-Age Trainers Association Credentialed Trainer. She and her husband, Daniel, live in St. Paul, with a daughter and son. Elaine has been a parent educator in St. Paul’s ECFE Program for 23 years. She also taught junior and senior high students and holds a Parent Educator License. Elaine and her husband, Jim, live in White Bear, Minnesota. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.