A graduate of Harvard Business School Kragen's illustrious career far transcends the music and entertainment industries where he has spent many incredibly successful years.

He has managed some of the world's most important entertainers, including Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Trisha Yearwood, Olivia Newton John, The Bee Gees, Burt Reynolds, The Smothers Brothers and many others.

He was the creator and organizer of "We Are the World", "Hands Across America", and Cisco System's "NetAid".

During the past few years, Kragen has devoted an increasing amount of his time to consulting work for leading corporations in the United States as well as many non-profit organizations.

Amazingly over 95% of the acts he managed have become stars, and 90% of the projects he created and spearheaded have achieved success.

Kragen has produced a variety of film and television projects, ranging from the ground-breaking "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" on CBS to Kenny Rogers' "Gambler" movies, and numerous series, mini-series and films. Most recently, Kragen produced the "12 Dogs of Christmas" live action, full length feature film based on his daughter's, Emma's, best-selling children's book. (www.12DogsofChristmas.com) To date this project has sold 500,000 books and 700,000 DVDs.

He and his friend Quincy Jones produced a portion of the 1992 Presidential Inauguration and Kragen recently did some consulting work for the Obama transition team.

He has written the best selling book "Life is a Contact Sport" which is filled with unique and well tested career advice.

He has lectured at Harvard Business School, USC, Loyola, the University of Tennessee and many other schools.

For many years, he has taught courses at UCLA's Extension Program based on his unique concepts of career development and formulas for advancing projects to a higher level of excellence.

Kragen is most proud of receiving the United Nations Peace Medal for the creation of "Hands Across America", and "We Are the World", making him one of a mere handful of private citizens around the world to receive this honor.

Among dozens of awards he has been celebrated by the NAACP, the Los Angeles Advertising Women, and the Boys And Girls Club of America. He received two MTV Awards, An American Music Award, several Emmy nominations, EBONY's American Black Achievement Award, Manager of the Year Award from the Conference of Personal Managers and the International Citizen Of The Year Award from the International Visitors Council. He was Alumnus of the Year at his alma matter, the University of California, Berkeley.

He is the only individual ever elected President of both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music.

He serves on several charity Boards including The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, Community In Schools and USA for Africa.