John Paxson

This past season, John Paxson concluded six years of General Manager duties for the Chicago Bulls … John will remain at the forefront of the organization in his role as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations … he will work in tandem with new General Manager Gar Forman in efforts to bring the Bulls back to one of the elite teams in the NBA.  Named Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations on April 14, 2003. Paxson has been a part of the organization as a player, coach, broadcaster or front office executive since 1985.

Paxson spent nine of his 11 NBA seasons as a player with Chicago, helping the Bulls to three consecutive NBA World Championships (1991, 1992, 1993). For his career, he averaged 7.2 ppg, 3.6 apg and 1.2 rpg in 772 games, including 369 starting assignments, shooting .499 from the floor, including .355 from three-point range, and .804 from the free-throw line. John shot a sizzling .650 from the floor in the Bulls’ first NBA Finals appearance and capped the experience with a memorable 20-point performance on a spotless 8-of-8 from the floor in the title-clinching game five over the Los Angeles Lakers, including 10 points in the final 3:54 of the contest. Paxson was also responsible for one of the most memorable shots in NBA history during the 1993 NBA Finals, sinking a game- and series-winning three-pointer with 3.9 seconds remaining to defeat the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix, giving the Bulls their third straight NBA World Championship. John is one of the legendary Chicago motivational speakers.

Jarrett Payton

Jarrett Payton, son of the late NFL Hall of Famer Walter Payton, is a radio host, businessman, philanthropist, motivational speaker, former NFL and CFL running back and devoted husband and father. Currently he is a fill-in sports anchor for WGN’s Morning Show and is co-host of WGN Radio’s The Beat program. Payton was most recently a co-host of the “Jarrett, Harry and Spike” radio show on Chicago’s former radio station The Game 87.7FM.

He is a partner with Chicago based Argus Brewery where he is actively involved in the production, promotion and sales of his own beer: Jarrett Payton’s All-American Wheat Ale. Payton was inspired to create his own beer from earlier memories of his father’s appreciation for craft beer. Argus Brewery is owned by a father-and-son duo. Payton, relying on an extremely close relationship he had with his famous father, appreciated similarities of the successful duo and saw an opportunity to carry out his father’s dream amongst an important father-son bond. His beer, which went into production in 2012, is the second best selling item from Argus Brewery.

His passion for public speaking dates back to August 1993—the day the world met the younger Payton. He made the introductory speech for his father when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Since then, Payton is sought out to connect with all age levels, particularly in the business community to motivate, inspire and impact others. Jarrett Payton is a favorite for Chicago Motivational speakers.