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May 6, 2015 To Whom It May Concern, When I heard that Michael McCleskey was considering applying for the program of “University Innovative Fellow”, I welcomed the opportunity to write a letter on his behalf. I have utmost respect for Michael as a leader, his teamwork abilities and his natural ways of communicating in clear and concise ways. Mr. McCleskey is a true leader. Throughout the course we had together, I constantly looked ot Michael to respond and lead others in the course. His insights of knowing when and how to encourage, call to account and develop a sense of community were without par. Michael was seen as a leader in the class by not only me, but by his fellow students. Michael also has the unique ability to be a good leader AND work well in teams. Mr. McCleskey is able to draw the best from others on his team. He is willing to allow the group to grow organically and he encourages group participation from others. He is able to bridge the gap between stepping into leadership roles when needed and to be a team member and allow others to lead when their strengths seem most appropriate. Mr. McCleskey is the consummate communicator. As demonstrated above, Michael is able to switch between leading a team and being part of a team. He is a strong communicator and is able to clearly communicate his own ideas. He is also just as willing to listen to others ideas and contributions. Michael values others in the communication process and holds ideas in loosely so the group can share and develop the best solutions to challenges possible. Clearly, I highly recommend Michael McCleskey for the University Innovative Fellows program. Should you need more information, don’t hesitate to let me know. Sincerely, Paul M. Shelton Associate Professor of Management/Chair and Director Doctor of Business Administration Program. !