About Us

Dr. Hal Hadden, Founder & President

Dr. Hal Hadden is the founder and president of Christian Leadership Concepts, Inc. Prior to starting CLC in 1982, Hal served 10 years on the staff of Young Life as Area Director for Knoxville, Tennessee and the island of Bermuda. Following his graduation from seminary, Hal moved to Nashville, TN where he served three years on the staff of an evangelistic outreach ministry to adults known as New Life. During this time he earned his doctorate in pastoral counseling.

Hal is happily married to Linda Hadden, and they have three adult daughters. Hal and Linda are also privileged to have grandtwins, a boy and a girl, along with three other awesome grandchildren.

Hal is an avid cyclist (bicycle) and is also a NASCAR fan. For 20 years, Hal has led a 80-100 member men's fellowship and Bible study at the home of racecar legend and current broadcaster, Darrell Waltrip. His focus has been on "What the Bible says about business." Hal is also a big Tennessee Titan football fan.

Ron Doyle, Vice-President

Ron Doyle is the vice-president of CLC and is responsible for national expansion. Like Hal, Ron also spent time on the staff of Young Life. He was the Area Director of East Atlanta in the early '70's. In 1975, he joined Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company as a salesman in the Atlanta Agency. For the next 16 years, he worked for the company in sales, sales training and, ultimately, served as the General Agent for the Nashville/ Chattanooga Agency. In 1991, he founded a consulting company called Face to Face, and in 1994, he joined the staff of CLC after having been a participant and a volunteer facilitator.

Ron married his high school sweetheart, Barbie, the same day they graduated from the University of Florida. They have a married daughter and a married son and six grandchildren. All live in the Nashville area.

In addition to planting seeds for CLC in other cities, Ron leads two CLC groups, participates in a study group and leads a men's group at the Anglican church he and Barbie attend.

Ron enjoys playing basketball and golf, cycling (bicycle), and running. He also enjoys traveling with Barbie, whenever time and money allow.

John liederbach, VP/Executive director

After 28 years in numerous roles in the marketplace, John accepted the challenge to join CLC as the VP/ Executive Director in the fall of 2008 and, along with his wife Nan, is honored to be a part of this awesome ministry team.

John’s passion for team building, training and impacting men and their families to go deeper in their faith in Christ was further ignited when John participated in a Hal Hadden led CLC group in the mid 1990’s.

Throughout his business career, John was blessed by many, varied mentors and role models and is now energized to enhance the delivery of CLC’s mission and purpose as CLC expands nationally and to the next generations.

John and Nan love living in Brentwood, trying to take in all the fun and craziness that ensues with their four kids: Maddie, John-Paul, Brendan and Bridgette. This clan owns the fact that they are self avowed “sports nuts” and are “most alive” during short or long “road trips” to take in the special people, places and events that make life richer and fuller.

David Bianconi, City Director for Knoxville, TN

David Bianconi - David grew up in Nashville and first heard the gospel through Young Life as a high school student. As a University of Tennessee student, David found real joy learning and practicing the relational ministry style taught through Young Life. Soon after college, David met Kristin, the two fell in love, married, and they were blessed with five children. Katie, Jesse, Elise, Claire, and Janie are all in school, working hard (most of the time), and learning how to give and receive love as they grow up in a family of seven.

David’s first experience with CLC began in 1995 as a group participant. David saw the way men grew in the Lord as they came together, let their guard down, and allowed the Lord to change them. David went on to co-lead two more groups over the next few years, and as he grew in the Lord, he grew in his understanding of how men mature in Christ through CLC.

In September 2004, David answered the call to go on staff with CLC in Knoxville. David stands on the shoulders of many men who have invested in the fifteen year history of CLC in Knoxville. David is the staff member of a Knoxville CLC City Leadership Team that wants to see God change Knoxville as men grow in Christ, and that growth filters through marriages, children, local churches, and the community.

David loves walking in the Smoky Mountains, working in his blacksmith shop, playing with his children, and going on dates with Kristin.

Richard Ramsey, City Director for Atlanta, GA

Richard Ramsey was born in Orlando, FL, but raised in Atlanta and later in Chattanooga, where he accepted Christ through the ministry of Student Venture at age 16. As a student at East Tennessee State University, Richard found meaning and purpose in life through his growing relationship with Christ. Upon graduation Richard joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ, where he served on university campuses in the southeast and internationally. In 1995 Richard was happily married to his long-time crush, Victoria. After graduation from seminary, they continued serving with CCC, leading international partnerships on university campuses in Eastern & Western Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Victoria and Richard reside in Marietta, GA and are the proud parents of two beautiful girls, Virginia and Sarah.

After 20 years with Campus Crusade for Christ, God called Richard to CLC in 2006, with a heart to equip men and develop leaders to reach Atlanta, and the world. Richard joins hundreds of men who have been influenced by CLC since its beginning in Atlanta in 1991. Richard serves alongside a City Leadership Team that provides overall direction for the ministry. With the global influence of Atlanta, CLC is poised as a fulcrum of change to raise up a new generation of spiritual leaders.

Richard enjoys all sports, especially tennis and golf. He also has become an avid hunter sense marrying into Victoria's family. His favorite time is spontaneous "family nights" with his wife and girls.

Ed Sweeny, City Director for greenville, sc

Ed Sweeny grew up in Greenville and began to truly walk with Christ at age 16 through Young Life. As a student at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC in 1987, Ed began a Young Life club at the local high school that continues today. After spending his first year out of college with a few friends building furniture and guitars in a small Montana mountain town, he moved to Knoxville, TN and joined the Young Life staff.

Ed met his lovely bride, Renee, the first day on the job in Knoxville in 1992. Ed and Renee were married in 1994 and have 3 wonderful children named …Conner, Maclaine, and Ford. With the exception of a few years in residential construction, Ed has served with Young Life for the last 16 years…in Knoxville, Cookeville, and Nashville, TN.

Ed’s first experience with CLC was as a participant in Cookeville in 1999. Through Bible study, relationships, and tragedy, this experience was one that proved powerful and effective in teaching men how to lead for Christ. With great joy and excitement, he returned to Greenville (after 21 years) and joins the CLC staff team as the City Director in 2008.

As Ed’s family grows, so does his desire to date his wife and three children as often as possible. He also enjoys running, hiking, reading, camping, carpentry, and playing guitar every chance he gets…and has publicly challenged anyone who would dare to a Frisbee golf match.

Gus Diamondidis, city director chattanooga, TN

Gus Diamondidis (Diamond-dee-dis) was born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland. Gus first heard the good news of Jesus when he was a high school junior through a local church youth group. The person of Jesus was intriguing to him, and he came to follow Him through the invitation of a friend. Feeling called into ministry soon after his conversion, he was encouraged to attend a Christian college for training in the Bible and a biblical worldview. Gus attended Covenant College and went on for further training at Gordon Conwell Seminary.

He has served on staff in student ministries at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, First Presbyterian of Augusta, Georgia, and Cedar Springs Presbyterian in Knoxville, Tennessee. Most recently he was the Executive Director of The Cross Ministry, which is an outreach and discipleship ministry focusing on fraternities and sororities at The University of Tennessee.

Gus is happily married to Amy, whom he met in Augusta. They have three children: Bailey, Eliza and Sam. Gus feels the pleasure of his Savior when he is renovating his home, working in the soil, and being present to his family and friends.

COY TIPPING, city director orlando, fl

Coy attended Texas A&M University, graduating in 1993 with a degree in Biology. Though he was a Christian when he entered college, these were formative years in his walk with God. Coy was discipled for the first time - grounded in the basics of the faith and trained to disciple others. Upon graduation he was accepted to Baylor College of Dentistry; however, he felt a sense of calling to full-time ministry and chose to join the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ. It was there that he met his wife Lori.

Coy and Lori married in 1994 and began their ministry as campus staff at the University of Arkansas where they both worked with students in the Greek system. Later they returned to his alma mater, Texas A&M, where they continued their work of evangelism and discipleship among college students.

In the fall of 2001, Coy moved to Orlando, Florida to accept a national role as Director Major Donor Development for the Campus Ministry. After 15 years with Camps Crusade for Christ, Coy sensed God calling him to serve the men in Orlando through the ministry of CLC. Today Coy serves as the City Director for CLC Orlando.

He and Lori live and worship in Orlando, Florida with their 4 children - Cody, Abby, Garrett, and Kate.