About

CernySmith is a research, development, testing and training organization focused on developing materials and services that support people, coaches, and organizations. Our goal is to help people in any country to adjust and change during times of transition. Failure to adapt is costly, and successful adjustments do not come easy. Adjustment takes time, commitment, skill, and energy. We realize that healthy adjustments lead to greater satisfaction, increased productivity, and general well-being, so we created these powerful assessments that help equip people with the tools they need for success.

Our assessments are highly personalized, online assessments that screen and evaluate stress occurring during times of transition. They measure stress in 15 areas and provide strategies on how best to adjust to changes and reduce stress. Having been proven to help motivate productivity, reduce attrition and enhance direction, these accurate and highly researched tools are used in over 147 countries by thousands of international organizations, expatriates, families and students.

The Team

David S. Smith
Co-Founder and Partner

David S. Smith, Ph.D

Dr. Smith, a Clinical Psychologist with a private practice in Southern California since 1987, is also a researcher and international consultant. Dr. Smith, along with his colleagues, has conducted workshops and coached teams in over 30 different countries. Since 2004, his focus has been on training and mentoring international coaches and other professionals in the CSA. Dr. Smith along with his retired partner Leonard Cerny, Ph.D developed the CSA.

Ron Barley
Partner - Managing Partner

Ron Barley

Ron is a successful businessman who has over 45 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies, a Big Four public accounting firm, operating his own company for over 25 years, and supporting several companies as a certified strategic planning consultant. This experience makes him very familiar with organizational stress and its impact on organizations. Ron believes the PERSPECTIVE program of identifying and alleviating personal and organizational stress is the most meaningful resource available in stress training anywhere today. Ron holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business Administration and served in the US Airforce as an officer.

Ron Barley
John McLaughlin
Partner - Director of Business Development

John McLaughlin

John is an executive with over 40-years of experience with both Ford Motor and Toyota Motor of North America in the Vehicle Planning Group which provides invaluable insights into organizational challenges. He believes that the PerspectiveProcess represents the most effective counter-measure to large company undercurrents of stress and low productivity. “Recognizing stress in industry today is only as valuable as the capability to alleviate individual struggles.” John holds a BS in Finance and an MBA degree and served in the U.S. Army as an officer in the military police.

Karen Smith
Customer Service

Karen

Karen has led the Customer Service Department for CernySmith since 2003. She is the customer support specialist of CernySmith, which includes all client services for Perspective. Karen holds a Bachelor and Masters in Education. Her job is to help you!

Karen Smith