Who We Are

Values are beliefs we hold that drive our actions. The values we hold at North Group are vital to who we are, what we believe and how we interact with you.

Values - "BEING comes before DOING"

We endeavor to live out "BEING comes before DOING" by:

  • Instilling Hope
  • Building Character
  • Encouraging Balanced Living
  • Modeling an Others-Centered Focus

Brief History

The firm began in 1997 as North & Schanz Consulting Group, by long-time friends and colleagues, Roger North and Laura Schanz. The original concept was to provide consulting and training in the areas of management and sales to Central Pennsylvania businesses and organizations. The firm's mission statement was "to support the development of people and organizations toward their highest potential." That mission and commitment embodied the first several years of North & Schanz's development.

North & Schanz began its operations in a small office on Foxshire Drive in Lancaster sublet from their good friends at Scheffey Advertising. In the Spring of 1998, a dream for future expansion was put in place with a move to an office condominium at Oregon Commons in Lancaster.

North & Schanz quickly found a receptive Central Pennsylvania audience for its services. Roger North remembers that the business "found its stride" in the Fall of 1998 after an intensive first 18 months of business and organizational development. Mara Cresswell McGrann joined North & Schanz in January 1999 as Office Manager.

The firm's 1999 strategic plan called for a greater focus on the long-term development of organizations. The concept of consulting retainers found its place in the North & Schanz business model as clients began to understand the value of engaging North & Schanz over longer periods of time to assist them in developing their organizations and the leaders responsible for their growth. At this same time, it became apparent that there was a strong need in the marketplace for a focus on leaders and leadership development.

In mid-1999, Jennifer Litwiller joined the firm as a Consultant. Jennifer spent five highly productive years with North & Schanz before joining our first employee, Mara Cresswell McGrann, as a stay-at-home mom.

The Fall of 2000 brought two new employees and additional office space to North & Schanz. One of those employees, Dennis Clemmer, brought extensive experience in family business consulting as well as a family therapy background to North & Schanz. Dennis' expertise expanded North & Schanz's focus on family and closely held businesses. This focus continued to drive North & Schanz's development of services toward a focus on transition and succession planning within closely held businesses.

In 2001, the North & Schanz Charitable Foundation was established as a means by which the corporation could "tithe" its profits. A Board of Directors was established and the first community grants were made in that year.

In the Summer of 2002, Laura Schanz announced her intention to sell her half of the business. An amicable transaction was completed in August 2002 with Roger North acquiring sole ownership of the firm. Laura continued to service the firm's clients until the end of 2002. On January 1, 2003, Dennis Clemmer acquired a minority interest in the firm and became Roger's partner.

For North & Schanz, 2003 was a transition year as the firm chose to gradually eliminate its sales management and training services and focus specifically on leadership and organizational development for closely held businesses. This focus was strengthened by the hiring (in January 2003) of Daryl Leisey as a Senior Consultant. Daryl joined the firm after a successful career as a human resource executive. Also in 2003, North & Schanz started its Affiliate Consultant Program. Through this program, accomplished business executives were able to provide their expertise to North & Schanz clients underneath the brand and leadership of North & Schanz. Joanne Ladley, Josh Stroup and Lynette Meck continue to provide valuable services through their affiliations.

As the firm continued to experience strong growth, two key employees were added in 2004: Lois Bishop as Office Manager and Joan Denlinger as Accountant. By 2005, the marketplace had recognized North & Schanz's singular expertise in the areas of organizational and leadership development for closely held businesses in Central Pennsylvania. This was enhanced when Sheryl Eberly joined the firm as Senior Consultant.

The Fall of 2006 brought two significant changes. First, the firm's name was changed to North Group Consultants. Second, the firm relocated its office to a renovated, century-old townhouse office on West Chestnut Street in Lancaster City. Amidst these recent changes is a continued commitment toward connecting with new clients who desire to work closely with North Group on "developing leaders and organizations toward their highest potential."

One year later, in Fall of 2007, we expanded our team again, adding Bev Wise as a Leadership Consultant. Bev joins the firm after spending 26 years in the Corporate Banking and Financial Services Industries.