I am a published writer and award winning speaker who currently resides in northern Illinois.  You may be wondering, “What kind of wild journey brings a guy like you to the bright lights and glamour of northern Illinois?”  Well, it’s a tale that’s every bit as exciting as you might expect from a story that begins and ends in the rural Midwest.

I graduated from Orion High School in Orion, Illinois – a school of about 400 total students in grades 9 – 12 that boasted an annual “Drive Your Tractor to School Day”.  (No, that’s not a joke.)  After high school, I headed to Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, where I earned my B.A. in Business Administration.

Now a college graduate, I put that degree to excellent use by languishing in a variety of mediocre jobs throughout Illinois and Iowa for several years.  It was during this time that I developed a profound appreciation for the movie Office Space and realized that I was never meant to work in an office environment.

Late in 2005, I started to realize how much I enjoyed public speaking and joined a local Toastmasters club.  The more I spoke, the more I began to love it.  When I won the Toastmasters District 54 Humorous Speech Contest in the fall of 2008 it was obvious that I needed to pursue my interest in public speaking as a career.

It’s hard to explain the excitement that followed the Humorous Speech Contest.  For the first time I had found something that I not only enjoyed, but that I really excelled at.  When it finally dawned on me that I could combine public speaking with my passion for American history and the Constitution, I knew I was on to something.  Ever since then, the response to my speeches has been better than I ever imagined.

You might notice that there isn’t anything in my bio about getting a degree in history or government – I consider this one of my greatest qualifications to speak on these topics.  I did take a couple of history courses in college, but what was being taught in those classrooms certainly wasn’t history.  Instead of wasting a lot of time listening to some self-absorbed professor ramble on about his opinions of our Founding Fathers, I have spent that time studying the writing of the Founders themselves.

When you take that knowledge of the Founders and mix it with my unique speaking style, it creates a very entertaining and informative presentation.  I definitely encourage you to experience it for yourself!

Testimonials!

"Chad's message on the historic 1812 battle of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, that inspired the writing of our National Anthem, was well received and created an interest in remembering our past moments of glory. We will certainly invite Chad to speak again at future rallies."

Al Reynolds
Organizer of the July 5, 2009 Champaign, IL Tea Party

"Chad Kent recently took me under his wing and mentored me all the way to the District finals for the Toastmasters International Speech Contest. Chad taught me that true growth takes place outside of my comfort zone and for that I am truly grateful. Chad has such an awesome stage presence and brings great joy to the audience with his humorous speaking ability. Not only can he move a crowd to great laughter, he can also move a crowd to tears. Not many speakers have this gift and talent. I am honored to have been mentored by him."

Dena Fuller
Christian motivational speaker

"Every time I listen to [Chad] I learn something new.  So look forward to learning something new about the Constitution and the Founding Fathers!"

Dan Horvatin
Rock River Patriots