Who We Are

About Us

Our Story

One of the most critical, yet underrated skills of leadership is the gift of valuing others.

We love helping businesses and organizations think through – and implement – a healthy leadership culture.

Jim Rowell and Rick Pierce founded Rising Sun Consultants in 2005 to work with organizations to develop supervisors, manage change, and strengthen teams.

Before starting Rising Sun, Jim worked as Milton Hershey’s Director of Professional Development.

In 2017, Rising Sun released the book, “10 Keys of Effective Supervision.” It focuses on people in middle management, and how to train these leaders to support and promote the careers of others in the organization, through a model of servant leadership.

Today Jim and John firmly believe it is essential to focus on people’s growth and development for an organization to be successful.

It is their goal to serve organizations in creating, developing, and maintaining a culture that inspires and motivates people to reach new horizons – both personally and professionally.

“They have this unique ability to push you just hard enough to make you uncomfortable and leave the status quo, but not so hard that it shuts everybody down.”

— KATHIE SHAFER – VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS, MESSIAH COLLEGE (“MIDDLE MARKET” CENTRAL PENN BUSINESS JOURNAL)

Team

CEO & CO-FOUNDER

MEET JIM ROWELL

Jim is the CEO and co-founder of Rising Sun Consultants, LLC. After more than 30 years in the corporate world as a professional trainer, supervisor and director, Jim Rowell turned his knowledge to the world of fitness… leadership fitness. Jim assists clients in building the health and well-being of their organizational cultures.

Co-author of The 10 Keys of Effective Supervision, Jim has also developed “The 10 Keys of Effective Supervision™” training series, Servant Leadership: History & Evolution, The Pillars of Conflict Resolution, and Critical Issues Facing Supervisors: An Initial Look.

A man with principles firmly grounded in Christian values, Jim holds a B.A. in Secondary Education and Mathematics, and an M.S. in Education (with a focus in Instructional Technology and Media Management, both from Potsdam State College, New York.) He resides in central PA with his wife, Diane, of more than 29 years and their four children.

At the end of the day, he firmly trusts that treating people with dignity, love, and forgiveness are the keys to health in all aspects of an individual’s life.

SENIOR CONSULTANT

MEET CHRISTY HANSON

Christy Hanson has worked in the field of career development since 2005, and currently serves as Director of the Career and Professional Development Center at Messiah College. 

She holds a B.A. in psychology from Messiah College and M.S. in counseling/higher education from Shippensburg University.  Christy leads a dynamic team that helps students identify and pursue their personal and professional goals through individualized coaching, programming, professional connections and group presentations.

In addition to her work at Messiah College, Christy serves as a Senior Consultant with Rising Sun Consultants, facilitating training to professional teams on effective supervision, self-assessment, planning, organizational culture and team development. Christy has a passion for sharing Servant Leadership by helping individuals find the “sweet spot” that comes from the intersection of their strengths, interests, and the needs within our world.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

MEET DANIELLE MCLAREN

As an Operations Manager, she works with the team and clients of Rising Sun Consultants to keep the day-to-day operations running smoothly and efficiently. She believes people are a priority, and loves to see organizations thrive by putting their employees and others first.

Danielle’s heart for people led her to five years of work in the EMS and Ambulance Billing/Administration field before taking on her responsibilities at RSC.

Danielle is currently pursuing a degree in Human Resource Management.

EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

MEET REBECCA HOWSER

As an Executive Administrative Assistant, she helps to schedule, plan and coordinate meetings and trainings for the Rising Sun team and clients. 

Rebecca has an A.A. in retail administration from Ashworth College and a B.A. in music and worship from Liberty University. Her passion for music and people led her to be on staff at her church as the worship ministry assistant for the past 2.5 years. 

She currently resides in St. Louis, MO with her husband, Jake.