Solutions 21, a practitioner-led firm focused on helping clients improve their leaders, employee retention and overall market value, has promoted three of its Directors to Vice Presidents as the firm positions itself for future growth.

Tyler Palko, based in Kansas City, was promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Albert Ciuksza, based in Pittsburgh, was promoted to Vice President of Growth and Development. Rob Salome, based in Clarksville, TN, just outside of Nashville, was promoted to Vice President of Consulting Services.

Solutions 21 President and Founder Buddy Hobart said, “These promotions were well deserved because of the impact these three have had on our business as well as on our clients’ businesses. All three are exceptional leaders and have proven their value to our clients over many years. These promotions also reflect the positioning of our team for the future to better take advantage of the needs and our competitive position in the marketplace.”

About Tyler Palko, Vice President of Sales and Marketing: 

Palko’s unique experience as an NFL and NCAA Division I quarterback has helped him to develop team leadership skills that translate in helping Solutions 21 clients. He was the starting quarterback and three-time team captain for the Pittsburgh Panther’s football team. Following his college career, Palko pursued a professional football career and played several years in the NFL, including stints with the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs.

In addition to his athletic leadership, Palko has become involved in nonprofit and entrepreneurial leadership. He is the Founder and Chairman of the TC House, a foundation with a mission to build homes where people with Down syndrome can live independently in a family community. He also serves as an advisor at Second Skull, an entrepreneurial company that scientifically engineers headgear products to protect athletes.

For six years, Palko has served as the Director of Leadership Development at Solutions 21. Palko’s millennial age, combined with his championship leadership experience, gives him an edge when it comes to developing the next generation of leaders. He understands teamwork and the tools it takes to overcome challenges to succeed. These attributes add value in his new role as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He earned bachelor’s degrees in both Economics, and Communications and Rhetoric at the University of Pittsburgh.

About Albert Ciuksza, Vice President of Growth and Development: 

Ciuksza brings years of experience working as an entrepreneur and growth contributor to the Pittsburgh region. He is the former leader of two Pittsburgh companies. He was Co-Founder of Eyenavision, an innovative eyewear company that created the Chemistrie Magnetic Lens Layering System, and he was CEO at PortaBeer (now Draft Dynamics), where he commercialized patented mobile draft beverage equipment.

Ciuksza has spent years contributing to the growth of the Pittsburgh region through his work at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and as the Manager of Water Innovations at the Idea Foundry.

Prior to his recent promotion at Solutions 21, Ciuksza has served as the Director of Leadership Programs, coaching and developing the next generation of executive leaders in organizations. He brings experience in innovation and problem-solving in corporate, nonprofit and entrepreneurial ventures to his promotion as Vice President of Growth and Development at Solutions 21. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from St. Vincent College and a master’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Pittsburgh.

About Rob Salome, Vice President of Consulting Services:

With 27 years of military and corporate leadership experience, Salome brings expertise in leadership development, strategic planning and design thinking. He is a retired Army Colonel and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Salome has served in several military roles leading teams, large and small, in the most elite military organizations—including the 101st Airborne, the 82nd Airborne and the 173rd Airborne units.

Salome served as Military Aide to the Vice President of the United States, a Battalion Commander in the elite 82nd Airborne Division, the Director of the Commander’s Initiatives Group in the Army’s Forces Command and as the City Manager of over 60,000 people at Fort Campbell, KY.

His experience in understanding organizational leadership and management of high-stakes, complex environments contributed to his previous role as Director of Strategy and Leadership Development at Solutions 21. Salome’s promotion to Vice President of Consulting Services will expand the reach of his valuable expertise in leadership development nationwide. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a master’s degree in Management and Administration from Central Michigan University. He also earned a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

About Solutions 21:

Solutions 21 is practitioner-led firm focused on helping clients to improve their leaders, employee retention and overall market value. With a national reach, we have helped hundreds of clients over the past 25 years to be more successful by forging elite leaders at the executive and other levels while also developing strategic plans to improve their organizations. The benefits of elite leadership include improved culture, operations and profitability. It also includes adding value and worth to the organization by building the skills and readiness of the management team.