CHRIS BRANHAM
Lyons,GA
Summary
Learning and Development leader with 20+ years of experience designing and scaling training programs that drive measurable business growth, workforce performance, and organizational readiness. Proven success training over 3,000 professionals across multi-state operations and building onboarding systems that supported company growth from $2M to $111M valuation. Expert in adult learning, instructional design, onboarding, and leadership coaching. Recognized for improving performance metrics, accelerating onboarding, and building high-impact learning cultures in fast-growth environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Learning & Development Manager (Official Title: Area Manager)
SUREPATH ADVISORS
Jacksonville, FL
01.2023 - Current
- Lead enterprise onboarding, training, and talent development initiatives supporting hypergrowth, multi-state healthcare organization.
- Formerly Applied Insurance Advisors
- Key Impact and Achievements:
- Led training and onboarding initiatives supporting company growth from $2M to $111M valuation within two years, enabling rapid workforce and operational scale.
- Designed and delivered structured onboarding and development programs for 3,000+ field representatives across 150+ teams in 11 states, improving readiness, consistency, and performance.
- Scaled onboarding infrastructure to support rapid hiring expansion, increasing onboarding capacity from 50 to 150 new hires per week while maintaining training effectiveness.
- Developed training strategies that contributed to increasing monthly production from 2,000 to over 60,000 applications per month at peak performance.
- Improved operational quality by increasing application validity rate from 52% to 77%, strengthening compliance, accuracy, and revenue reliability.
- Conducted virtual and live training sessions focused on systems, compliance, communication, and performance effectiveness.
- Partnered with executive leadership to align learning strategy with business growth objectives.
- Provided ongoing performance coaching and leadership development to improve workforce capability and engagement.
Assistant Head Football Coach | Teacher | Leadership Development
TOOMBS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Lyons, GA
07.2018 - 01.2023
- Designed and delivered structured leadership development and performance training programs.
- Developed leadership and performance training programs focused on accountability, execution, and continuous improvement.
- Delivered daily instructional programs using structured learning methodologies and performance-based development.
- Built performance tracking systems and coached individuals to improve performance outcomes.
- Facilitated leadership development through mentoring, coaching, and structured growth programs.
- Corporate Translation: Training & Development, Leadership Coaching, Instructional Design, Talent Development
Physical Education Teacher & Leadership Educator
OKEECHOBEE HIGH SCHOOL
Okeechobee, FL
07.2012 - 06.2018
- Delivered structured learning programs focused on leadership, performance, and development.
- Key Contributions:
- Designed curriculum aligned with defined learning objectives and development outcomes.
- Facilitated structured learning and leadership development programs.
- Applied instructional design and performance improvement principles.
- Mentored individuals in leadership and performance growth.
Dean of Students | Leadership Development
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Okeechobee, FL
07.2009 - 06.2012
- Served in senior leadership roles responsible for organizational culture, training, and professional development.
- Key Contributions:
- Led leadership development initiatives and training programs for staff and students.
- Facilitated professional development sessions focused on leadership, performance, and accountability.
- Designed and implemented performance improvement systems.
- Partnered with executive leadership to support organizational initiatives.
- Corporate Translation: Organizational Development, Training Leadership, Talent Development
Dean of Students | Organizational Leadership
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Okeechobee, FL
07.2003 - 06.2009
- Served in senior leadership roles responsible for organizational culture, training, and professional development.
- Key Contributions:
- Led leadership development initiatives and training programs for staff and students.
- Facilitated professional development sessions focused on leadership, performance, and accountability.
- Designed and implemented performance improvement systems.
- Partnered with executive leadership to support organizational initiatives.
- Corporate Translation: Organizational Development, Training Leadership, Talent Development
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education
West Virginia State University
Institute, WV06.2003
Skills
- Learning & Development Strategy
- Training Program Design & Facilitation
- Onboarding & Enablement
- Talent Development & Succession Planning
- Leadership Development
- Instructional Design (ADDIE-based principles)
- Training Needs Analysis
- Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Performance Coaching
- Organizational Development
- Change Management
- Sales Enablement
- Employee Engagement & Retention
- Virtual & Instructor-Led Training
Certification
- Health and Wellness License, 22 States, 2023-01-01, Present
- Georgia Teaching Certificate, 2018-01-01, Present
Timeline
Learning & Development Manager (Official Title: Area Manager)
SUREPATH ADVISORS
01.2023 - Current
Assistant Head Football Coach | Teacher | Leadership Development
TOOMBS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
07.2018 - 01.2023
Physical Education Teacher & Leadership Educator
OKEECHOBEE HIGH SCHOOL
07.2012 - 06.2018
Dean of Students | Leadership Development
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
07.2009 - 06.2012
Dean of Students | Organizational Leadership
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
07.2003 - 06.2009
Bachelor of Science - Education
West Virginia State University
Technology And Learning Systems
- Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
- CRM Systems
Enterprise Training Impact Summary
3,000+ trained professional
Supported growth from $2M to $111M valuation
300% increase in onboarding capacity
30X increased production
25 percentage points improved operational quality
11 states operational support
130+ independent offices supported
Open To Remote
True
Open To Travel
True
Personal Information
- Title: Learning & Development Manager
- Availability: Open to Remote & Travel