Our Founder
Paul J. Meyer, Founder (1928-2009)
Born in San Mateo, California in 1928 to a German immigrant father and a mother of Scottish descent, Paul J. Meyer possessed an unyielding urge to learn, to excel, and to be innovative in all his endeavors.
Always considered a person with an idea ahead of its time, Meyer became interested in the principles of personal growth, development, and success at an early age. He was particularly interested in the process of goal setting, as this process was in tune with his keen desire for personal achievement. By using goal-setting principles in his chosen career of professional sales, Meyer became a millionaire by the age of 27.
More importantly, however, Meyer held the firm belief that all people, regardless of their gender, personality, social standing, or level of education, could develop the necessary characteristics to achieve and live a lifetime of success. To this end, Meyer founded Success Motivation Institute, Inc. in 1960, a company dedicated to motivating people to their full potential. This company brought into reality Meyer’s long-standing dream of providing practical, effective materials to help people achieve their goals and enjoy greater success.
About Jon West and His Company
Jonathan R. West, President
Born in Columbus, Ohio, and raised by parents and a grandmother who told him he could do anything he wanted if he would set his mind to it. Jon took that advice to heart despite being a premature baby who only weighed 4 pounds at birth and being slow to develop. His grandmother took him to get a library card and enrolled him in a summer reading program, which opened up the world to him at age 5. She also opened his first savings account with him, which started the discipline of saving and later investing a percentage of every dollar he earned.
Jon earned two Master’s degrees in leadership and Management and served 25 years as a Marine Corps Reserve Infantry Officer. He worked for Cooper Energy Services, Rockwell International, and Black & Decker Corp as their Employee Relations, Productivity, and Performance Managers. This is where he was introduced to his first LMI program, which focused on productivity and time management skills. Using what he learned in the program, Jon and the 1,300 employees at the Easton, Maryland, location increased tool manufacturing by 100% while improving quality and reducing costs over a 4-year period. Over his 40 years with LMI, he has developed hundreds of Leaders & Organizations to Their Full Potential.
Jon was a clinical professor at the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University, where he taught leadership and management on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He has achieved the Lifetime Degree ln the President’s Honor Club and the Success Degree of LMI’s Leadership Council.
Jonathan lives with his wife Caron, of 47 years, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.