About Executive Coach Chris Ruisi

Chris Ruisi is battle tested. Having been in the trenches on the front line as the former President and COO of USLIFE Corporation, and as a member of the office of the Chairman and The Board of Directors, the one overriding principle he learned was that chaos and crisis can be used as a strategic advantage. During times of chaos and crisis, he learned what he was capable of and who he could be. He learned how to win. It is these experiences that make him a much sought after business motivational speaker. Taking his real life stories and adding a dose of humor, makes Chris' business leadership talks informative and entertaining.

During his tenure at USLIFE he played a lead role in many high stakes strategic initiatives, including:

Responsibility for overseeing the company’s mergers, acquisition and divestiture team. In that role quarterbacked the sale of USLIFE (USH) to American General Corporation (AGC) creating almost $1Billion of additional shareholder value. Identified $50 million of expense savings between AGC and USH; directed the development and implementation of the plans to bring these savings to the bottom line.
Quarterbacked corporate-wide workflow improvement efforts, identifying redundancies and expense saving opportunities and areas where new technologies could be applied.
Directed the relocation of 800 positions from New York City to a suburban New Jersey location. Move resulted in savings and productivity gains of $10-$15 million annually.
Directed the consolidation of the company’s data processing functions to a centralized service center; all subsidiary legal, tax, financial, actuarial and human resources functions as well as all company telecommunications, printing, graphics, purchasing and supply functions saving annually $40.0 to $50.0 million.
In response to government mandated changes that created a crisis in the health care industry, he directed the diversification strategy of the company’s group insurance business from the small case medical/indemnity market into the ancillary non-medical and association/ affinity group marketplace. Identified new sources of revenue totaling more than $300 million.

Today as the CEO and Founder of The Coach’s Zone, he mentors and guides executives and business leaders to find their “stretch” point to learn the full measure of their capabilities in chaotic times. He helps them to “master being comfortable feeling uncomfortable.”

Throughout his career, he learned that playing it safe or doing enough to just get by holds you back from using your full capabilities. In essence, when you play it too safe, you sabotage yourself, shrink your capabilities and derail your career and initiatives.

Known as a popular podcaster, blogger, and sought after speaker, he has also created an extensive video library on YouTube. Through this work, he has created a community of entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders who understand the importance of Stepping Up, Being Fearless and Playing Big. Through his public speaking, podcasting, and blog posts he uses stories about his life in the executive suite to get his message out: within every crisis or chaotic event there is an opportunity waiting to be found; if you are hunkered down in your bunker hoping things will get better, you will not see the opportunity available to you.

What others have said about him…

Over the 23+ years I have known Chris, he has worked very hard to develop a high level of integrity, credibility and respect among his superiors, peers and staff at USLIFE. He is seen as someone you can talk to. While he is decisive in his actions, all know that they will get a fair hearing from him on any issue. He is known as the “go to guy” who gets things done on time and right the first time. Individuals see him as their leader and gravitate to him. He is best when dealing with a crisis when the team is looking for leadership.

Developing his team is another one of his strongest capabilities. He has played an instrumental role in the development of other senior officers throughout the parent company and our operating subsidiaries which has allowed the company to grow through our existing human resources.

Our Board of Directors is extremely pleased with Chris’ performance and contribution to USLIFE’s success. He is often described as having the skills and leadership abilities to be “literally dropped” into any of our companies and within short order run it effectively and re-energize its team to achieve more.

Chris does not know what it means to give up or to stop short of achieving a stated goal. When confronted with obstacles, he “turns up the heat” and finds a solution to keep moving forward.

Gordon E. Crosby

Chairman of the Board and CEO, USLIFE Corporation