Dale J. Deransburg, Jr., Author, CEO, C.S.F.P. and C.E.A., a Chicago native and graduate of Columbia College is a professional speaker, Certified Estate Advisor and Chartered Senior Financial Planner. In 1997, he founded Deransburg International, Ltd. (DI), a professional sponsor of Learning Institute for Financial Education (L.I.F.E). His team of instructors specialize in financial education, wealth accumulation, asset protection and small business planning for Middle Class America.

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What does AMAC mean to you? Why do you join each year?
AMAC is an amazing organization which nurtures, educates and fosters networking within the C-Suite, and allows us as members to help airports, vendors, business owners and minorities with financial education awareness and advocacy. We joined last year because it is the premier organization which bridges the gap financially for us in the aviation industry, giving us access to the C-Suite building important relationships which leverage the playing field of business for small business owners.

When did you join AMAC? Why did you join AMAC?
I joined AMAC in April 2020, when AMAC Board Member Montgomery Regional Airport CEO Marshall Taggart highly recommended us. He said AMAC would be a tremendous resource to us as financial educators, because we provided all his employees a service on consumer debt, financial stewardship and retirement which would benefit all airports.

What was your dream job as a kid?
Shortstop for Chicago Cubs.

Why did you choose to do what you do now? What is Your Why?
I did not choose this vocation, it chose me. Why do I say this, it is easy!

My story is one most can relate to. My mother was a victim of identity in early 90's, and she was also a victim of predatory lending practices in our community in the late 90's. I felt helpless at the time, not knowing how to help my mother.

When I finished college, and had my first professional job, I was turned down for my first mortgage, because unbeknownst to me, I had a 525 credit score, and $40,000 worth of credit card debt. Two years later, I was denied a small business loan, when I began my first business. These 3 seminal moments change my mind about money, debt and personal freedom.

I vowed to not play the victim but The Victor Role. I read a book, called The Road to Wealth, and actually, only read the chapter on credit, and within 12 months raised my score to 720, and 24 months later raised my score above 800.

In 2002 I became totally Consumer Debt Free paying off $60,000, without ever filing Bankruptcy. In 2008, I became a six-figure income earner through my business, and achieved a 7 figure net-worth. I decided to teach people in our community how to become stewards of their finances, and began in my church.

I participated in The Focus on the Family financial stewardship program in 97, and found the program amazing, but it was 8 weeks long. Thus in 2002, after becoming debt free, I became security licensed, and began my lifelong passion of teaching Family Finances 101 to middle class America. A course I created, which is only 3 hours with 18 modules online with a complimentary consultation to schools, businesses, and churches across the country.

I began vetting professionals in the 7 Spheres of Money for our members. Accounting, Insurance, Banking, Financial Planning, Real Estate, Estate Planning and legal. I went from teaching in my church to teaching at YMCA, State of Illinois Young Attorney General's office, State of Michigan, and Houston Federal Reserve on to 2019, Montgomery Regional Airport employees how to become consumer debt free, credit worthy and retire with their dignity.

We have to date help over 20000 professionals, small business owners, and entrepreneurs achieve the same dreams. Every day I wake up with a joy in my heart, knowing our team helped another mother, father, child, and business owner overcome the shame, helplessness, and distraught my mother experienced, when her identity was stolen, and the sorrow she felt as a victim of predatory lending practices, and the embarrassment I felt in that bank which declined me twice for a mortgage and business loan.

We NOW live Victoriously, Debt Free and Peacefully, because we are helping thousands of people every year experience The P.O.M.-P.O.M. Lifestyle. One success story at a time.

What should people know about your company?
We specialize in helping professional middle class employees, entrepreneurs and businesses with financial literacy. We have 125 years of financial expertise in Accounting, Insurance, Banking, Financial Planning, Estate Planning, legal and Entrepreneurship. We vet professional services for our members, and provide them with the tools to work in concert with the best in class through our Family Finance 101 course. We teach 136 principles of financial success, focusing on Consumer Debt Freedom, Credit Score, Retirement and Business planning. We provide you with the Encyclopedia to help you navigate a P.O.M.-P.O.M. Lifestyle. That's Plenty of Money, and Peace of Mind, so you can join us on the Beaches of the World Club. They should register for our Most Popular REFUND 2 RETIREMENT WEBINAR during BLACK HISTORY MONTH. February 17th and 24th.

What are you reading or listening to (books, music, podcasts, etc.)?
Zero to One, Good to Great, and Proverbs daily

Guilty Pleasure: What can you not live without?
Chocolate

Do you have a signature accessory or something you always wear that is meaningful to you?
Baseball Cap with a "D" on it for DJ The Money Coach.

What's your "walk on" song? What would you like to play when you walk on stage?
You can Cha Cha by MC LYTE

If Hollywood made a movie of your life, who would you like to see play the leading role as you?
Larenz Tate, we are both Chicagoans.

Steve leads Jacobs’ Americas Aviation market, providing strategic advisory consulting and project delivery oversight services to our clients and aviation project teams. Leveraging more than 30 years of experience in airport planning, environmental, design, engineering, architecture, security, and program management and construction management (PM/CM), he delivers solutions and services to respond to our client’s challenges. Steve supports international, domestic, and military airport projects of all sizes and levels of complexity across the U.S. and around the world.

Steve’s commitment to and passion for aviation has driven his long-term involvement in numerous professional organizations focused on the latest technologies, project approaches, best practices and emerging issues. Steve has participated in various committees with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Airports Council International (ACI – both North America and Asia-Pacific organizations) and Airport Consultants Council (ACC). He is currently a member of the Aero Club of Washington and serves on the boards of ACC, ACI World Business Partners, the International Association of Airport Executives, AMAC, and Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society.

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What does AMAC mean to you? Why do you join each year?”
AMAC allows me to learn, share and grow within the aviation marketplace. I have learned so much from the AMAC family who have given me such a warm reception. I have been given the opportunity to contribute to the growth of diverse firms, airport communities and individuals who love aviation as much as I do and I find it highly rewarding. It has certainly benefited us at Jacobs too. Over the last 6 years, I have met new firms that we have gone on to work on local and regional opportunities while fostering mentor protégé successes. AMAC provides different perspectives on all sorts of levels.

When did you join AMAC? Why did you join AMAC?
AMAC has been a great experience and learning environment for me. With over 30+ years in the aviation market, I was aware of AMAC and yet never attended or was involved. Six years-ago a good friend and colleague, Gabriele Mack came to me and shared her journey and was curious to mine. Gabriele encouraged me to just share what I was thinking and feeling. We agreed to partner and attend AMAC events together. What a gift AMAC was to walk with her and meet so many new friends. I have not missed an AMAC event since and in fact I have sponsored several of our younger and diverse employees to join and attend AMAC conferences. Being asked to be on the AMAC board was indeed an honor. It is very rewarding to see both Jacobs’ and my own personal growth with AMAC.

Why did you choose to do what you do now? What is your WHY?
I was always told to “do what you enjoy and work hard.” My first 5 years in the professional world I worked hard, but did not enjoy what I was doing. I would cringe when I told friends and family what I did for a living. Then a terrific gentleman, Ed Waltemath, worked with me on some airport projects and conferences. In fact, it was around this time (1992) when I met the great Leon Watkins. I loved being onsite and watching planes take-off and land. The smell of Jet-A! The hustle and the bustle of an airport regardless of size. The people were/are amazing. I was hooked. My hard work paid off as I was in an environment where I thrived and excelled. I would “almost” do it for free! My “Why” is now evolving as I think about the legacy I want to leave. I want to continue to mentor and help younger professionals (of all races) get the same taste, smell and passion for aviation that Mr. Waltemath bestowed to me all those years ago. Most professionals stumble into Aviation as I did so I look forward to getting into schools and communities to promote aviation as a career choice. Come join me!

What should people know about your company?
Fun question-- 5-6 years ago I would have provided a different response. True, we are a large company, but our aviation team is personal and close knit. We work hard every day to support one another and our client communities. We know the more we communicate and bring a broad array of solutions, the more we grow with our clients. So, while Jacobs is large, business and relationships are local. Our specialized and talented team of aviation professionals are committed to helping our clients find local solutions through different service disciplines. A few years back we made a conscious decision to develop inclusion and diversity initiatives in everything we do which not only helped us gain a greater appreciation for one another it also helped us create better solutions for our diverse client communities as well as create economic opportunities for community based and diverse businesses. A diverse and inclusive culture is certainly present. So, what should you know? We are a team of active, passionate and dedicated aviation professionals that are connected, accepting, and growing in our diversity, and willing to collaborate with small and diverse firms and airports to improve aviation performance and the experience.

What we do is more than a job, we work every day to make the world better for all. Everything we do – from addressing contaminated dirt on an airfield to addressing health in our terminals. We work hard to enhance your seamless passage while protecting against sophisticated cyberattacks. They’re our challenges as human beings, too.

That is why we bring a thoughtful and collaborative approach to every one of our partnerships. We know we can help our partners make a positive impact on the world. We lead project teams of all sizes with many different companies and agencies, but make sure everyone’s voice has a chance to be heard and respected. At Jacobs, we make the world smarter, more connected and more sustainable.

What, in your opinion, is the most important service AMAC provides to its members? To the industry? 
AMAC is uniquely positioned to bring stakeholders together to make our aviation industry more diverse and more connected. It has done an outstanding job of bringing diverse businesses and individuals into a forum for education and business development. It can also be the facilitator for more meaningful dialogue that will lead to positive change and greater accountability through courageous conversations. AMAC membership is made up of 4 distinct stakeholder groups: Airports, Large Businesses, Minority businesses and Individual Memberships. A greater focus to ensure that programming and benefits that support each of these groups and the individuals that represent them, would increase member experience, and contribute to the industry. AMAC is the organization to mentor and guide airports, companies, and individuals to value and grow from Inclusion and Diversity.

Guilty Pleasure: What can you not live without?
Being outside, especially on the weekends and doing “something.” Gardening, fishing, hunting, golfing, running and walking with my wife, Sarah, and our two dogs (Jackson and Nelson). I recently heard that “when life gives you challenges, go work the earth and the answers will works themselves out.”