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Greg was born July 16, 1959 to Jim and Ruth (Carroll) Yates in Kankakee Illinois. He was raised in Casey, Illinois, the son of an ordained Nazarene Minister (mother) and a Police officer/Tool Maker (father)! He attended Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois with a Business and Music emphasis and was married to Vicki Lea Fry in August of 1979. Greg was blessed with two children. Son, Terry Yates, born March 16, 1981 is married to wife Lynnae (Melin) Yates. Terry completed his degree at Olivet Nazarene University in three years with a dual emphasis in Business and Management. Lynnae is a 2002 graduate of Olivet Nazarene University with a degree in Communications. Terry and Lynnae manage the Old Oaks Apartment Complex, owned by Wheaton Investments Trust, in Bourbonnais, Illinois and are actively involved in the promotion and implementation of WLF on a completely charitable basis. Daughter, Laci Yates is a Business Marketing/ Accounting Major at ONU. All three are exciting Christians who are destined for strong leadership roles in everything they do. Following college, Greg worked for two years as minister of music and youth at Decatur West Side Church of the Nazarene, and then proceeded in 1982 into the manufacturing business with Father, Jim Yates and Brother Jim in Casey, Illinois. With meager beginnings in a two car garage Jim Yates Sr. began Casey Tool and Machine, Inc. in 1973. Greg followed his father’s instruction and became a Journeyman Tool Maker, then progressed into Die and Mold Design. The business evolved over the years into a complex number of related businesses until the year 1998 when Greg chose to sell out his ownership in Casey Tool and Machine Company, Inc. to his brother, Jim, so that he could pursue other ventures. At the time of sale, CTM and related entities were the largest employers in three counties, doing business directly in Medical, Aerospace, Lighting, Refractory, Injection and injection blow molding, metal spinning and large complex laser applications. Sale of Casey Tool and Machine and related companies was accomplished through the formation of an Investment Trust by Greg and International Business partner, Raglan Resources Limited. Greg serves as Executive Trustee of Wheaton Investments Trust, which is involved in a wide variety of investments and businesses, real estate and consulting on a worldwide basis. Additionally came the formation of Quality Concepts, LLC as a managing and consulting business owned collectively by Greg and Wheaton Trust. In 1998 Greg began with participation of several other businessmen the origination of Preferred Bank of Casey, Illinois as an Illinois State Chartered Bank. Since its inception, Preferred bank has formed a holding company and Greg still serves as an active Board Member for the Bank and Holding Company. Preferred Bank has exceeded all expectations and Proforma by surpassing Forty Million Dollars in assets in its Third year of operation. In June, 2002 the Bank celebrated its Grand Opening in its new and beautiful facility with over a thousand existing and prospective customers attending in a three hour period. It has been an exciting expansive venture for Greg and Wheaton Investments. One of the dreams of Greg’s adult life has been to devise a vehicle through which future generations of his own family could be trained and mentored into strong family values and a cohesive family structure for generations to come. This vision included training from young ages and help in discerning the true purpose and reality of their own lives in a perspective of faith in Almighty God. Having been blessed with a heritage rich in love and the Christian Faith, Greg has always had a deep desire to ensure that this greatest blessing and gift could be given above any other gift to future generations! As the documents and dreams began to be assembled for a family training program, it was shared with many trusted advisers for input. Accordingly, it was impossible for this concept to restrain its growth and ultimately has resulted in a concept currently embodied as the World Leadership Foundation! If this concept has merit and excitement for a single family, it must be shared and allowed to become the passion of a generation! “To whom much is given, much will be required!” World Leadership Foundation, its concept and its blessing was birthed in 2001 from seed planted in the heart of man from far beyond any mortal perspective. It is Greg’s belief that True Leadership should be judged by its own duplication and its own perpetuity, not merely emerging randomly or accidentally. True legacy comes through heritage, sown by many, made fruitful by God. Material inheritance can be squandered and wasted. Eternal perspective and dependence is the essence of “teaching one to fish, rather than giving them fish to eat”. At age 42 in 2001, Greg describes himself as far from done in his search for Gods continued plans for his life. Conducting worship services or conducting contract negotiations, Greg understands that study and focus on leadership training will result in far more personal leadership development, even for himself, from those who respond to the same warriors cry. It is that cry, that CALLING OUT to the deepest need of mankind through giving of body, mind and spirit for which we aspire as leaders of leaders. We will sow the seed. We will reap the harvest through giving of ourselves and our blessings! Some Plant. Others Water. God provides the increase. We have a rare and blessed opportunity! Seize the Day! |
