By GIB SNYDER
OBSERVER City Editor
Leadership can come in many forms and with many explanations of how it can be accomplished.
Article Photos
Mark Balzer
Dunkirk native Mark Balzer has penned a novel - based on his work experience - on entering the workforce as a recent college graduate.
"The People Principles - Leadership in the 21st Century" was published in June.
According to the website the novel is available on, Balzer's book is "a leadership fable that follows a recent college hire's trials and tribulation as he enters the work force as a supervisor at a third party distribution company." Balzer shows the difference between being a manager and a leader and describes the process of the transformation.
"This is my first book," Balzer told the OBSERVER. "I am in the process of writing a follow-up to the book titled, 'The People Principles Building Relationships.'"
Balzer said the self-published book was for the general public.
"It is a leadership fable that addresses all levels of leadership," he explained. "It is a general book geared for leaders at any levels, but the concepts apply to any relationship. It is not a part of my job but is related to what I do for a living."
Balzer has worked 14 years at Exel, which has its corporate headquarters in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. Balzer, who is the vice president for learning and development, said it is the second-largest company in the world.
"We are a third-party distribution company that partners with Fortune 100/500 companies such as Kraft, Walmart, Home Depot, Hormel and Hershey, etc.," he explained. "We have 500,000 employees in 220 different countries or territories."
Balzer is in charge of training and development for the Americas, from Canada to Argentina. He is also responsible for conducting training throughout the globe.
"I have trained in over 25 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, South Africa, China, Singapore and Thailand," Balzer said. "I have developed a 10-part training system called the Leadership Enrichment Program."
Balzer's initial literary effort has found some admirers.
"Great read for young leaders and a great refresher for more seasoned leaders!" Bruce Edwards, CEO, DHL Supply Chain said.
"A wonderful example of people-oriented management! Easy to read, easy to digest, and hard to put down," added Paul Chimleski, president and COO, Light House Communication Corporation. "It illustrates clearly why true leaders can make the difference to the organizational lives of their employees."
"I love this book! It is a clear and insightful reminder for experienced managers of what we should be doing every day," stated Sandi Kerentoff, senior vice president, Administration and HR, Hughes Network Systems, LLC. "The analogies and "formulas" are wonderful ways to bring management to real life understanding for all."
To purchase a copy of the book go to Authorhouse.com, Bookstore and type in: The People Principles.
The 1977 Dunkirk High School graduate is one of four sons (Andrew Jr., Michael and Richard) of the late Andrew and Jeanette Balzer. Balzer graduated from SUNY at Fredonia before going on to earn a master's degree in Organizational Communication from Murray State University.
Balzer now lives in Westerville with his wife, the former Tammy Larkins of Bardwell, Ky. They are the parents of three children: Ralston, age 25, a graduate of St. Leo University in Florida; Markus, age 22, a senior in accounting at The Ohio State University, and MacKensey, age 18, a freshman at Ohio University.
Comments on this story may be sent to gsnyder@observertoday.com
