Mike and JoAnn Knapp founded Rapport Leadership International in Las Vegas in 1985. JoAnn has a bachelor’s degree in education and a Master’s Degree in psychological testing and was instrumental in designing the courses built on a proven leadership philosophy. Each course was brilliantly masterminded to engage and inspire clients, and raise levels of performance. In its infancy, both Mike and JoAnn delivered the courses and oversaw the organization’s day-to-day operations.
In the beginning, their three-hour classes covered topics such as phone skills, sales skills and office communication. These classes were taught in various locations around Las Vegas and the Knapps built their business the old-fashioned way with Mike knocking on office doors to sell courses. In 1986, the Knapps chose the name Rapport Leadership International for their company and offered the first three-day course, “Prosperity Breakthrough.”
1988 was a pivotal year for the company as they hired their first employee and rented a large office space and training center in Renaissance Square in Las Vegas. It was also the year they offered the first “Leadership Breakthrough” course, a signature course for the company still today (albeit in a much different format). In 1989, the Knapps redesigned the Prosperity Breakthrough course and it is now known as Power Communication, another course still used today.
In addition to Prosperity Breakthrough and Power Communication, JoAnn played a key role in creating Leadership Breakthrough Two, Eagle Quest, and Teen Leadership Breakthrough. In 2008 the company also created and began offering a Rapport Certified Specialist course.
In addition to their brilliant programming and sales abilities, the Knapps envisioned creating a retreat center in the peace and quiet of the desert outside of Las Vegas. They broke ground in Alamo, Nevada in 1998 and today it hosts many of Rapport’s courses.
In 2005, Joe and Jenifer Tate purchased Rapport Leadership International with an ownership group and today, are the sole owners of the organization. They grew interested in ownership of Rapport after taking the courses themselves and realizing the profound impact the training has on individuals, businesses, communities and the world.
The Tates reside in Milwaukee where they are involved in other businesses (garbage hauling companies, grass and leaves transfer stations, a marketing company and an online magazine to name a few). In addition, they both are involved in the non-profit sector of their community.
Today, Ann Simmons leads the Rapport team as President and is dedicated to driving Rapport’s growth. As the organization grows, clients can expect new products, training and information that focuses on today’s issues and economic climate, and a reliable track record of excellence in leadership training.
