Chad would say he is still just a farm boy from Iowa following his heart. This journey of the heart led him, and his family, to Kansas City in 2004, where he started the first Engaged Company, eShipping. Today, what began as a pursuit of purpose and knocking on doors selling overnight services, has now grown into a group of companies with revenues exceeding $1.5 billion. Chad continues to combine passion and purpose in business, focusing on empowering others and building companies that positively impact people and communities. Creating opportunities for individuals, unlocking human potential, and using capitalism as a force for good are the driving passions behind Engaged Companies, and remain a focus for the future. Chad and his awesome wife, Marcy, support their four children’s dreams, believing that the foundation for society starts at home. This commitment reflects their belief in nurturing the next generation to lead with purpose and create a life lived well.

Ryan has a proven track record of success with more than 25 years of major corporate experience and has served as Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of Engaged Companies since joining in 2016. Prior to Engaged Companies, Ryan spent 16 years with Ferrellgas Partners, LP (NYSE: FGP) serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, President of Midstream Operations, and Corporate Secretary. After leaving Ferrellgas in early 2015, Ryan formed a consulting practice for which he still operates, advising the financial community primarily in the energy and propane industries. Ryan’s management oversight areas of focus have included Finance, Treasury, Accounting, Financial Operations, Tax, Mergers & Acquisitions, Operations, Information Technology, Legal, Risk Management, Corporate Governance, Internal Audit, Human Resources, Purchasing, Fleet Operations, Credit, Collections, Customer Support and Retirement Plan Administration (plan administrator and chair to 401k and ESOP Commitees). Ryan obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

Debi is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in human resources, accounting, and finance. Since joining Engaged Companies in 2022, she has thrived in her role as Controller, leveraging her expertise to optimize financial operations and drive strategic process improvements that enhance business efficiency and accuracy. With a strong focus on operational excellence, Debi is skilled at navigating complex financial challenges and implementing innovative solutions that streamline processes and improve outcomes. Her ability to lead high-performance teams and build strong relationships has been key to driving the company’s continued growth and success. Debi holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baker University and an Associate of Business from Maple Woods Community College,

Brian Juhl is a self-taught software engineer with a background in building large-scale products across several billion-dollar software companies. He has also spent much of his life participating in the direct selling and affiliate marketing industries, gaining firsthand experience with the tools, challenges, and workflows that independent entrepreneurs rely on every day. In 2023, Brian founded AICE, a mobile-first platform designed to simplify the systems that solopreneurs and social sellers use to run their businesses. He leads a team focused on building software for a growing class of modern independent business owners—at a time when participation in the gig economy is at an all-time high and the need for clarity and streamlined infrastructure has never been greater. When he’s not staring at code, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife Lauryn, their two sons Oliver and Lincoln, and their dogs Chloe and Nova.

Bubba has been a resident of the “Northland” in Kansas City, MO for the past 30+ years. He graduated from William Jewell College with a degree in Business Information Systems where he also played, and coached, football for the Cardinals. He has spent his career in both for-profit and non-profit companies primarily in operational and business development roles. Bubba volunteers his time as a youth and high school coach and the President of the Booster club at his son’s high school. His wife and he volunteer for a variety of non-profits and their church and even created an organization focused on honoring our Veterans. Bubba enjoys watching his son’s sports teams, coaching, hunting and fishing and taking his family on road trips. His family is actively visiting all the major league baseball stadiums and any iconic sports venues across the country.

A lover of design and passionate about working with people, Olivia dedicates her time to helping others through her creative direction. ​ Capitalizing on her strengths of organization and project management, she enjoys being involved in many aspects of Engaged Companies and working on building her side business, Liv Your Lifestyle.

Derek is a seasoned leader in the factoring industry with over 15 years of direct transportation factoring experience. Since joining Engaged Financial in 2016, he has been a driving force behind the company’s expansion, taking on the role of CEO/President in 2021. Under his leadership, Engaged Financial has grown exponentially—from processing a few hundred invoices per month to over 200,000 annually—while increasing factored receivables to more than $500 million per year. With expertise in factoring, banking, sales, and risk management, Derek brings a strategic and hands-on approach to navigating the industry's complexities. His leadership has been instrumental in developing and implementing innovative growth strategies, solidifying Engaged Financial’s position as a market leader. Derek’s journey from invoice processing to CEO reflects his deep-rooted understanding of the business, allowing him to shape operations and strategy from the ground up. His commitment to excellence, innovation, and client success continues to drive Engaged Financial’s long-term vision and industry impact.

Ben is a seasoned real estate professional specializing in development and property management in Iowa and Illinois, with additional oversight of service operations. As part of Engaged Real Estate, Ben manages a diverse portfolio of residential rentals and commercial properties, coordinating closely with contractors and municipalities to ensure each project is executed with precision and integrity. He and his wife Amanda work together as a team; while Ben leads development in the field, Amanda supports operations on the backend through billing and administrative management. Ben and Amanda enjoy spending time watching hummingbirds and spending time with their two dogs, Chewy and Toby.

Corbin Emanuel is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with deep roots in intelligence operations, threat analysis, and human-focused security. As Head of Information Security at Engaged Security Partners, Corbin drives the organization’s proactive defense strategy—leading initiatives that blend technical rigor with creative adversarial thinking. ​ Corbin’s unique background includes 15 years in the U.S. Army and 8 years in U.S. intelligence special operations, where he operated in high-threat environments safeguarding national interests. At Engaged, he leverages this experience to design and oversee threat intelligence operations, social engineering, phishing simulation, and adversarial simulation programs that expose and neutralize real-world vulnerabilities before adversaries can exploit them. ​ Beyond his work with Engaged, Corbin served as a Digital Intelligence Analyst with the Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative (ATII), where he conducts advanced OSINT and blockchain investigations to support the fight against human-trafficking. ​ Holding certifications including CISSP, CCSP, CEH Master, and Pentest+, Corbin combines technical acumen with a mission-driven mindset. His expertise spans threat intelligence, cyber operations, red teaming, and executive security—making him a trusted advisor for clients seeking to stay ahead of evolving threats.