Experienced Leadership

J.R. Samples
Founder, Chief Encouragement Officer

With more than 30 years of experience in sales, management, business ownership, and Fortune 500 leadership, J.R. brings a unique blend of strategic insight and practical execution to every engagement.

Guiding Philosophy

As Chief Encouragement Officer, J.R. believes accountability and encouragement go hand in hand. Inspired by Patrick Lencioni’s The Three Temptations of a CEO, he embraces the idea that “without accountability, success is a matter of luck.” For J.R., accountability means having the courage to initiate difficult conversations—because those conversations lead to quicker resolutions, stronger teams, and better results.

Career Highlights

• Business Transformation – In the 1990s, led a technology company’s shift from product sales to professional services, doubling revenue and increasing profitability 5x in just four years.
• Fortune 500 Leadership – Negotiated the firm’s acquisition by a Fortune 500 company and served as Area President for nine years.
• Founder of Accountability Partners (2005–Present) – Established a leadership advisory firm focused on helping professional services executives achieve sustainable success.

Education & Professional Development

• B.S. in Business, Olivet Nazarene University
• Executive Training: Six Sigma Leadership, Karrass Negotiating, Franklin Covey programs, advanced sales and management courses
• Peer Leadership: Former member of Vistage and multiple industry peer groups

Beyond Business

J.R. is driven by a passion for developing leaders, fostering accountability, and encouraging executives to unlock their full potential—both professionally and personally.