Bea Pedersen has spent her life sharing her faith, her achievements, and her challenges of overcoming adversity through the delightful art of storytelling. Her whimsical, and sometimes acerbic wit, uplifts and inspires all with whom she has shared these delightful tales.

 

A second-generation Italian-American, Bea was born in Chicago, the last child of a large family. After relocating to the northwest suburbs, Bea was diagnosed with a congenital disease which caused a severe visual impairment. However, she persevered, being the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. She pursued her goal of becoming a professional opera singer performing on the stages of Orchestra Hall and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Being always prepared to face life with a Plan B, she switched careers and discovered happiness through marriage, motherhood, and her faith. She currently lives in rural McHenry County with her husband and son, a United States Naval Lieutenant.

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Ben Pedersen, a Lieutenant, in the United States Navy, is currently serving as the Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Instructor Training Course at Great Lakes Naval Base. An experienced officer with over seven years of service, Ben achieved the honor of Shiphandler of the Year of the Navy while serving as Navigator aboard the USS Patriot.

 

When first deployed to Great Lakes, Ben served as a Recruit Training Officer. However, his abilities to lead and inspire were soon recognized. As a result of his efforts, Ben was placed in charge of a new initiative to increase the success rate of boot camp participants.

Ben successfully designed and developed the Future Sailors Program for which he received yet another commendation from the U.S.  Secretary of the Navy.

 

Having completed a course with the prestigious Dale Carnegie Leadership Academy, Ben was awarded the title of Inspirational Champion.

 

His exceptional ability to lead and inspire others has been manifested in presenting nearly 30 recruit training commencement addresses inspiring more than 10000 sailors to excel in their new roles in serving our nation.

 

Ben earned his master's degree in executive leadership from Liberty University.

 

His first book, The Character of Success, focuses on one’s inner strengths and abilities to lead and excel. Ben guides the reader through a series of steps that self-examine, explore, and empower the reader to discover their own innate ability to lead. An invaluable guidebook to finding and making one’s own success from within, The Character of Success is a must-read for all future leaders. Available in the Spring of 2024.

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Marco Pedersen is a man of many talents: painter, poet, author, preacher, outdoors enthusiast, and much more. He prides himself on being a man of God, a faithful and loving husband, and a good, good father. He has authored innumerable Christian plays including, The Last Maji, Sanhedrin, Unlimited The Here’s Randy Show – Advent and Lent, The Christmas Star, and Treasures in the Attic.  isHiHis paintings are primarily acrylic on canvas and feature a broad range of landscapes and abstracts.

 

He was born in Chicago but spent most of his youth and adult life in rural McHenry County, where he currently lives with his wife and son.