The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena...who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.

Claude is a father, husband, and service-minded leader with a heart for people. He works closely with clients to help them reach new heights through commerce. Claude's most unique experience is journeying with his daughter, Harper, through her diagnosis and treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2020. Claude's two sisters, Tammy & Terri, have Developmental Disabilities, and he dedicated his Dissertation to his mother, Theresa Kershner (1957-2021). She is an example of perseverance under great tribulation by never giving up caring for Tammy & Terri her entire life.  

After receiving his MBA in 2011, he became a full-time business operator and President of a family group of three firms with two commercial real-estate facilities doing business as Reef Tropical in South Florida. Through strategic entrepreneurship initiatives and loyal team members, Claude led the company's growth over twelve years to 12 million sales, 1,200 unique commercial & residential customers, 100 full-time associates, and an undeniable industry leader in South Florida. During the maturity phase of the company, Claude took an equity position, led the search for buyers, and eventually sold the business to a private equity firm. He spun off two divisions in the sale, retained family ownership of fully leased commercial real estate properties, transitioned to a new leader, and became a Rollover Founder of Pool Centurion, moving the company back through the rapid growth phase. 

While running the company as President, he worked towards a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at FIU's Chapman School of Business. In 2022, Claude completed the doctorate by successfully defending and publishing a dissertation titled: Hiring People with Disabilities from an Employer's Perspective and Organizational Citizenship Behavior. He is now the Managing Principal of A.R.C.H. Consulting, LLC and an Adjunct Professor of Business & Entrepreneurship at Miami Dade College West Campus.
 

He went to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania to earn a degree in Marketing with a minor in Real Estate and Psychology in 2007. He played football as an outside linebacker and was a member of Chi Psi Fraternity. After Lehigh, he moved to Philadelphia and worked in Commercial Real Estate for CB Richard Ellis. He gained valuable corporate experience for three years as a researcher and investment sales analyst before getting an MBA at Oklahoma State University with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. 

While in grad school, he launched a social media consulting company and a water management software technology venture. In addition, he worked as a graduate assistant with the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship and Michael H. Morris. After reading the book "The Blue Sweater," Claude was inspired to consult disadvantaged businesses in the townships of South Africa. He was selected into the Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (CIE) scholarship program with the University Professors to commercialize institutionally owned patented technology. Yet, the most intriguing projects in grad school involved Claude building the family business through marketing campaigns and implementing digital transformation with field service, CRM, and accounting software. 

He is a certified business and life coach, social science researcher, delegate of the Experiential Classroom at the University of Tampa, and former volunteer football coach at Coral Shores High School. He loves to speak to athletes through FCA huddles to help students and young adults develop character. He is a board member of a property owners association and helped launch Faith RXD Miami Chapter as the director. He and his family live in Pinecrest, FL, and are members of Ocean Reef Club. The Kershners participate in the community at Christ Fellowship Church in Palmetto Bay and Peak360 Crossfit in Miami. 

Call Claude at (305) 564-1584 x101 to say hello, or email him at claude@archconsults.com