Howell's Group, INC

Richard Howells

Richard Howells has been a practicing management consultant for 25 years. He has held executive leadership positions and served as Director of Organization Development for an Oregon-based insurance company. He consulted for six years as a principal with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), one of the largest IT and management consulting firms in the U.S. In 2000, Richard founded his own management consulting practice in Portland, Oregon, actively collaborating with clients and colleagues on various large-scale change projects.
The heart of Richard's work is consulting with executive teams, aligning on business strategy, developing the ownership of senior managers, and mobilizing employees. Richard is committed to uncovering and building on the strengths that already exist in an organization, rather than focusing on what is wrong. Richard aims his practice at building alignment with leadership and management teams, as well as creating "line-of-sight" to strategy from bottom to top. At utilities, manufacturing and service organizations, he has helped create innovative processes for engaging managers and employees, giving people a stronger voice in shaping the future of their companies and their own careers.

Richard has developed tools for exploring the effectiveness of team decision-making, accountability management, conflict management and other areas of organizational effectiveness. He is skilled using interviews, focus groups and surveys to identify organizational strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Richard has served many clients around the United States focusing on executive alignment, leadership development, executive coaching, strategic visioning, cultural change, high performance teamwork, and generating breakthroughs in results.

Some of the clients that Richard has served include Allstate Insurance, GE Capital, Iowa Electric Services, Illinois Power, OxyChem, NASA (Lockheed-Martin), Raytheon, Mead Corporation, Cadence Design Systems, Liberty Northwest (Insurance), BP (energy). Richard has also provided pro bono services to many non-profit boards and organizations.

Judy Straalsund

Judy Straalsund provides The Howells Group clients with a creative approach to communication in meetings, scripts, meeting development and speech writing. She is a master at developing custom designed meeting energizers using improv techniques. She brings a unique combination of organizational and creative skills to the FocusTroupe team.

Judy has developed and performed scripts for companies such as Bonneville Power Administration, IRS (NW), Hewlett-Packard, Symantec, OrCad, Cadence, Hughes Space and Communications, Swedish Hospital (Seattle) and the Oregon Symphony Music for Youth concerts. She has recorded Stories for the Heart for the Multnomah Publishers' audio series and has appeared in several corporate and commercial films and videos, including for the Oregon Medical Association, First Interstate Bank and Tuality HealthCare.

Her extensive stage experience includes roles in Marvin's Room, Godspell, The Potting Shed and Rope, to name just a few. The Oregonian recently praised her as "the very fine director" of Tapestry Theater's 1942 Christmas from Home.

Karrine Granato

As a member of The Howells Group, Inc., Karrine brings to her clients a unique set of skills, experience and passion. Her extensive background in theatre arts, program development and business training will empower you to be the best you can be. Karrine is a professional actress, choreographer and director with more than 20 years experience in all elements of theatrical productions.

Karrine uses her theatrical experience to help all her clients move toward mastery in their communication and presentation skills. Karrine has worked with such clients as Intel, Hewlett Packard, Nordstrom and Bonneville Power Administration to deliver results oriented communication trainings. Using her varied background, she coaches clients to tap into their unique style to maximize their impact as a communicator. She also coaches clients in refining their content and message to connect with their audience and meet their communication objectives.

Karrine also has a depth of experience in program management and assists clients in developing large and small programs for their employees. Through her experience as the Program Director for the Girl Scouts she impacted thousands of young women and hundreds of adult volunteers in their development of communication, interpersonal and life skills.

As a theatrical director, Karrine has planned, organized and implemented countless productions. She finds true joy in the process of working with diverse groups of people to bring them together to achieve a common goal.
Karrine has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and theatre from Pacific University. Her stage credits include Macbeth, Threepenny Opera, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Cabaret, The Trip to Bountiful, Enchanted Cottage and The Phantom Tollbooth among others.