ABOUT

Confessions of a CEO: My Life in an Out-of-Balance World, follows the transformative journey of Tom Gegax, the once hard-charging and self-centered Midwest tire mogul. From ruthless leader obsessed with profit to populist messenger for ethical business, Tom’s story reveals the destructiveness of toxic corporate cultures and the possibility of redemption through self-awareness and holistic leadership.

As crises mount—cancer, divorce, near-bankruptcy—Tom embarks on a personal journey to rebuild his life and company. His transformation is guided by influential figures like Deepak Chopra whom Tom then mentors in business, including Bobby Kennedy, Jr., Blue Zones Founder Dan Buettner, and Al Gore.

The film is a cautionary tale of the cost of corporate greed and an inspiring narrative of how business can be a force for good when leaders prioritize people over profits. Featuring interviews with Chopra, Kennedy, Buettner, Dr. Mimi Guarneri (President, Academy of Integrative Medicine), and Angelo Pizzo (screenwriter, Hoosiers, Rudy).

“I learned more from Tom Gegax in one hour than I did in two years of business school.”

DAVID SENRA, founder, Founders Podcast

“A visionary bridge for business and life. Shows a business can be run with enlightenment as well as efficiency.”

KEN BLANCHARD, co-author of The One Minute Manager and Customer Mania!

“Tom Gegax is an inspirational coach for living a full and purpose-filled life.”

WALTER. F MONDALE, former vice president of United States

“All the good stuff and none of the fluff.”

RICHARD SCHULZ, Founder and Chairman, Best Buy

“Tom Gegax demonstrates how to integrate the vulnerabilities and consciousness of a totally balanced human being with the rigor and groundedness required to run a large organization.”

MARIANNE WILLIAMSON, New York Times Bestselling author, Speaker, Political Candidate

“Tom Gegax has mastered the art of business.”

HORST RECHELBACHER, founder, Aveda Corporation and Intelligent Nutrients

FILMMAKER’S STATEMENT

Corporate America has a profound effect on the lives of all Americans, whether as an employee or consumer. While huge companies provide jobs and innovation, too many operate irresponsibly, with serious consequences that slowly increase year after year.

Confessions of a CEO was born out of my long time concern of these giant companies shifting focus to profits over people, including skyrocketing CEO pay vs the average worker going from 20-1 in the 70’s to an unconscionable 350-1 today.

As an insider CEO I can relate to this all too often greedy, single minded focus since it had been my mindset prior to my precipitous business and personal fall and subsequent transformation. Upon bringing these transformational principles into my organization, the success was so profound it prompted my desire to share this with our nations’ corporate leaders and employees through books, keynote addresses and ultimately now through Confessions of a CEO.

Given the old adage, a picture is worth a thousand words and the rise of documentaries and streaming, I envisioned a biographical documentary the best way to further share this message. I hope this will resonate with corporate leaders on how to personally grow and have a healthier, better balanced company. It is also intended for employees on how to personally and professionally grow and gently challenge their company’s leadership to operate more consciously. Then if their organization doesn’t make changes, to search for a more consciously run company or start their own company.

I felt this film needed to be strong on both entertainment and education and that one without the other wouldn’t cut it. We have done this with powerful interviews of international voices like Deepak Chopra, Dan Buettner (Blue Zones founder), and controversial Presidential candidate, Robert Kennedy Jr. Other voices included are thought leaders in medicine, food, psychology, the environment and many others.

In order to tell the story with greater impact we expanded the storytelling tools in our toolbox to include dramatic scene recreations, animation, archival video, film and photos going back some seventy years.

My hope is that, regardless of age or position, Confessions of a CEO powerfully resonates with you, while having messages with great meaning.

– Tom Gegax

THE TEAM

Tom Gegax

Executive Producer, Director/Head Coach, Writer

In 1976, Gegax co-founded Tires Plus, a retail tire business, with Don Gullett. Gegax served as Chairman and CEO (Head Coach) as the company grew to 150 stores and $200 million in sales. In 2000, Gegax facilitated the sale of Tires Plus to Bridgestone/Firestone and currently serves as Chairman Emeritus. Gegax is a best-selling author and speaker with books published by HarperCollins (The Big Book of Small Business) and Random House (Winning in the Game of Life). His leadership methods have been featured in multiple national newspapers, magazines, and television. Gegax serves as Chairman of The Gramercy Fund, an angel investment portfolio of early stage companies, as well as the Gegax Family Foundation. Gegax is also the producer of a public service documentary: Spark, a short documentary exploring racism’s roots and remedies. www.spark-doc.com

Mary Wescott

Executive Producer

Mary Wescott is a versatile professional based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a background spanning media, activism, and education. Currently working as a consultant at Gegax Management Systems, she has made significant contributions in various fields. Wescott’s media career is particularly notable. She worked for years as a TV, print, and radio professional, and co-produced the humanitarian award-winning film Spark: A Systemic Racism Story. She also served as the producer for Tom Gegax’s national speaking engagements and book tours. A dedicated activist, Wescott focuses on healthy eating, racial justice, and environmental issues. She has organized numerous community events to address these important topics. Her diverse experience, which includes a background in education, allows her to approach challenges from multiple perspectives.

Eric Gardner

Producer, Writer, Editor

Eric Gardner has worked in non-fiction television and independent feature films for over 20 years as a producer, director, editor, DP and writer. He received six Emmy nominations for his work as an Editor on the CBS series, Survivor. As a Director, he has won several awards, including best feature film at the Big Bear Lake Film Festival for Under The Influence, starring Peter Greene. He was Senior Editor of Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction, one of Fox’s highest rated specials, and received world-wide attention when co-wrote, produced and edited the feature film: Breakaway, an action/comedy feature film starring the infamous Tonya Harding. His diverse credits also include Producer/DP of Queenas a feature length documentary about latino transexuals in Los Angeles, financed by Canal + and The Danish Film Board, Co-Producer and Editor of Great Streets: Champs-Élysées starring Halle Berry for PBS, and CoWriter, Producer and Editor of the feature documentary, Dislecksia: The Movie, starring Billy Bob Thornton. He joined Shahs of Sunset on season one, and for 8 seasons (as Executive Producer), helped make it one of the most popular series on Bravo. Gardner is a member of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and The Directors Guild of America.

Jeff Siegel

Producer, Writer

Jeff Siegel is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker with a diverse background in writing, directing, producing, editing, and cinematography. He began his career at prominent television shows like Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, as well as news organizations including ABC News and the BBC in London. Siegel produced the independent feature film Hooking Up (2009), which was distributed globally and streamed on Netflix and Amazon Prime. He then worked as an assistant producer for NBC News at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Throughout his career, Siegel has collaborated with numerous high-profile clients and talents. He has produced documentaries for Netflix, ESPN, Major League Baseball, Billy Joel, UFC, Legendary Pictures, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. His work has involved collaborations with notable figures such as Robert Redford, Rob Reiner, Tom Brokaw, Doris Kearns Goodwin, James Taylor, Clancy Brown, Ed Burns, Keith Olbermann, and Kevin James. Siegel’s versatility and expertise in various aspects of filmmaking have allowed him to create compelling content across different formats and subjects, establishing him as a respected figure in the documentary and entertainment industry.

Joan Whitney Flagg

Producer, Writer

Joan Whitney Flagg is a distinguished filmmaker known for impactful documentaries addressing significant social concerns. Her early career was with CBS in New York and in recent years has been Producer and Executive Producer on a variety of films including Voices of Parkland (2020), exploring the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting, and Columbine 2024 – 25 Years of Trauma (2024), examining the long-term effects of the Columbine High School massacre. Whitney Flagg also contributed to Spark: A Systemic Racism Story (2020), where she explores the pervasive nature of systemic racism in America after the murder of George Floyd. Characterized by deep empathy and a pursuit of truth, her films raise awareness and provoke thoughtful dialogue on complex issues. She lives with her family in San Diego.

Matt Ehling

Director of Photography, Co-Producer

Matt Ehling is a veteran documentarian, television producer, and technician from Minnesota, known for his politically-oriented works. As a cinematographer and videographer, his work has gained significant recognition, being featured at the Sundance Film Festival, on Netflix, the IFC Channel, and various PBS programs, including ITVS and American Masters. Ehling has directed several notable films, including Access (2000) and Forbidden City (1997). He has also contributed to other documentaries, such as Of Dolls and Murder. His versatility in the film industry is evident through his various roles as a director, cinematographer, and television producer, contributing to a wide range of projects across different platforms.

Rick Weis

Editor

Rick Weis is a versatile filmmaker and editor with extensive experience in the entertainment industry. He has worked as a post-production producer, editor, and animatic editor, specializing in crafting stories, creating unique styles, and finding humor in various projects. Weis has contributed to a wide range of productions, including pilots and television series for major studios and networks. In addition to his editing work, Weis has also gained experience in other aspects of filmmaking. He has worked as a grip, electrician, best boy, and gaffer on feature films such as Crossworlds. More recently, Weis co-directed the documentary Until the Wheels Come Off with Matt Dearborn, showcasing his ability to take on directorial roles. As President and Owner of Four Leaf Entertainment, Weis continues to apply his diverse skillset to various projects in the film and television industry. His career demonstrates a commitment to storytelling and a deep understanding of the technical aspects of film production.

Najib Tabri

Editor

Najib Tabri is a highly accomplished editor, producer, and creative professional with a diverse portfolio in the entertainment industry. His extensive experience spans scripted films, trailers, television programs, and commercials, as well as unscripted content, sizzles, and super teases for numerous networks. Tabri has edited thousands of hours of content, showcasing his versatility and expertise across various formats. Notable projects include the feature-length documentary The Lady and The Legend, which he edited for theatrical release. This film chronicles the personal and professional relationships between Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, spanning more than a decade. Additional editing credits include popular television series such as MILF Manor (2024), Brat Loves Judy (2021-2023), and Red Table Talk (2021-2022). Tabri has also ventured into producing and writing – authoring three optioned, feature-length narrative screenplays and writing jokes for legendary comedian Joan Rivers. His writing credits also include content for the pioneering comedy brand National Lampoon and a feature-length documentary for Time-Warner. Tabri’s multifaceted career combines technical expertise with creative vision to bring diverse projects to life.

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