A black wooden sideboard with various decorative and personal items on top, including a pillow with the American flag, a statue, a book, two wooden carved heads, and bottles. Below, the sideboard has two compartments with shelving and labels, one holding coins and the other labeled 'Pictures'.

About the Author

Norman Allgood is a leader, entrepreneur, and storyteller whose life has been defined by one simple philosophy: Push-Push-Push, Never Quit.

From the jungles of Panama as a Military Police Officer to the boardrooms of higher education, Norman's journey embodies the power of persistence, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to purpose. His story isn't one of overnight success—it's a testament to the 10,000 steps, the difficult decisions, and the relentless forward momentum required to build something meaningful.

From Service to Success

Norman's leadership foundation was forged in the U.S. Army, where he served as a Military Police Officer with deployments to Panama, Korea and Egypt. Under the mentorship of leaders like Captain Todd Wheeler, he learned that true leadership means putting mission first and people always. Those lessons—about discipline, resilience, and the courage to push forward when others retreat—would become the bedrock of everything he built afterward.

After leaving active duty, Norman earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from Cornerstone University at age 31, followed by an MBA at 39—proving that the path to education and success doesn't follow a single timeline. His unconventional journey through higher education gave him unique insight into the challenges facing working adults pursuing degrees while juggling careers and families.

Group of soldiers in camouflage uniforms sitting and standing in a forested area, some with backpacks and weapons.
Two men in business suits standing in front of a wood-paneled wall with the Elmhurst University seal, smiling.
Two soldiers in camouflage uniforms and hats under a camouflaged netting, one of whom is pinning a badge or medal onto the other.
A young man in a military uniform and a woman dressed in formal attire smiling together at an indoor event.
Four soldiers in camouflage uniforms standing outdoors near a yellow traffic sign that reads 'Pedestrians Only' and 'Peatones Solamente.' They are engaged in conversation, with some wearing hats or caps, and one soldier holding a rifle.

Building Synergis Education

In 2011, with just $350,000 in initial funding, Norman founded Synergis Education—a company that would transform how universities serve adult learners and career changers. As Founder and CEO, he grew Synergis from a startup operating out of a 100-square-foot office (where a statue box doubled as their "conference call system") into a coast-to-coast operation serving multiple university partners.

Under Norman's leadership, Synergis:

  • Pioneered the Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN) program model, creating 10 of the 81 such programs in the country

  • Built the EDVANTAGE™ Informed Technology platform, revolutionizing data-driven decision-making in educational partnerships

  • Achieved profitability in 2016—a rare accomplishment in the Online Program Management (OPM) space

  • Successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, growing 43% in 2021 when many competitors closed their doors

  • Completed a successful exit in 2022

But the numbers only tell part of the story. Norman built Synergis with a culture rooted in his military experience and personal values—Coffee Talks with employees, home-cooked celebrations, and the "Push-Push-Push" philosophy that became the company's rallying cry.

A man with glasses and a bald head wearing a navy suit, light blue shirt, and blue tie, smiling indoors with a wooden arched ceiling and bright lights in the background.
Group of people sitting at a banquet table, enjoying an event or gathering, dressed in formal and semi-formal attire.

A Life of Purpose

Norman's commitment extends far beyond business. Throughout his career, he has:

  • Coached youth basketball in Detroit, Michigan, mentoring young men and women who needed father figures and role models

  • Opened his home to family and friends seeking second chances, providing not just shelter but a pathway to financial independence

  • Served on multiple Catholic Church councils, from parish to archdiocesan level

  • Maintained daily spiritual practices and 10,000-step walks with his wife Di—rituals that anchor his leadership and decision-making

His adoption of his youngest son, TaMaine, and his wife Di’s biological son, Nick, reflects his belief that family isn't just about blood—it's about commitment, sacrifice, and showing up every single day.

The Writer

Norman's writing reflects the same authenticity that defines his leadership.

His debut book, 10 Pillars of AI Enablement: How Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Higher Education, bridges his deep experience in educational leadership with the technological revolution reshaping the industry. Drawing from his years building Synergis and navigating the complex landscape of higher education partnerships, Norman provides a practical, actionable framework for institutions seeking to leverage AI effectively. It's not theory from consultants who've never built anything—it's wisdom earned through real-world implementation and strategic vision.

His latest work, Push-Push-Push: Never Quit, chronicles his journey from Detroit's declining neighborhoods through military service to entrepreneurial success. It's not a business book dressed up as a memoir—it's the raw, unfiltered story of a man who stumbled, failed, and pushed forward anyway.

Group of five kids holding yellow ribbons that say '3rd place,' smiling indoors.
Three adults smiling for a selfie, two men and one woman, all wearing glasses and casual jackets, indoors with a plain ceiling background.
Three people taking a selfie at a formal event, with a man in a clerical collar in the center and a man wearing a blue suit and glasses, and a woman with short red hair and a black dress. In the background, other attendees are mingling.

The Philosophy

Norman's leadership philosophy is simple but profound:

  • Passion - Find what drives you and let it fuel everything you do

  • People - Success is meaningless if you build it alone; invest in others relentlessly

  • Plan - Hope is not a strategy; execute with precision and purpose

He believes that everybody has a gift—a lesson learned in a South Philadelphia church that changed how he saw leadership. His gift has been persistence: the ability to see around corners, to push forward when others quit, and to build something that matters.

Today

Norman lives in Arizona with his wife Di, their dogs, and a revolving door of family members who need support. He continues to write, speak, and consult with organizations seeking to transform their approach to leadership, sales, and strategic growth.

When he's not writing or working, you'll find him taking his daily 10,000 steps with Di, attending Mass at St. Timothy's, or sitting on the back porch with a cup of coffee—still dipping his toast, just like his mother taught him decades ago in Detroit.

Group of five people smiling and standing together outdoors with trees and sunlight in the background.
“Push forward. Never quit. That’s not just what I did—it’s who I am.”
— Norman Allgood