Gary Highfield To Speak At Cleveland State Feb. 18

  • Friday, January 24, 2014

Cleveland State Community College’s Office of Special Programs and Community Relations and the Small Business Development Center are co-sponsoring Chattanooga Author, Entrepreneur and Business Executive Gary Highfield to campus on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center.

Mr. Highfield is a sought-after professional corporate sales consultant and keynote speaker dedicated to helping organizations transform their companies and their employees’ lives. He has been an entrepreneur his entire life and has helped inspire and educate sales teams across the country to reach their potential. 

A one-time hourly wage manual laborer, Gary drew motivation and inspiration from a variety of sources to train and develop himself for a successful career in sales. He got into the cellular phone industry in its infancy, and despite the discouragement of naysayers that insisted he would never succeed, Highfield became the top salesman in his region, one of the leaders in the nation. After advancing into management positions, he became a franchise owner, teaching many of the principles he had learned to his sales staff—eventually earning him recognition as his company’s top manager nationally and his sales team was also ranked number one. In his book, “When ‘Want TO’ becomes ‘Have TO!’ Gary shows he is living proof of the reality that people can break the “chains” that are holding them back from realizing their dreams.

He is passionate about making a difference and is currently involved in creating the Want To Foundation, a not-for-profit, whose mission is to provide a place where people who have “Want To” can get help in pursuing their dreams. The foundation is in the beginning phases of its development and is currently adding board members.

Lisa Janes, Small Business Specialist, said, “Gary Highfield has made the impossible become possible!” His presentation is a ‘have to’ for students, teachers, business owners and professionals.”

This event is free to the public, although registration is recommended. 

Student Scene
CGLA's Dr. Elaine Swafford Inducted Into 2025 Charter Schools Hall Of Fame
  • 7/8/2025

Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, was one of four "visionary leaders" the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools announced last night as the 2025 inductees ... more

TDOE Announces Year-Over-Year Improvement Across All Subject Areas
  • 7/8/2025

Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released the 2024-25 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) state and district-level results, which include both fall 2024 end-of-course ... more

Muhlenberg College Students Earn Dean's List Honors
  • 7/8/2025

To be eligible for the Dean's List, Muhlenberg College students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or better while taking three or more course units during a semester. A graduate of Girls Preparatory ... more