Former BT Director De Jong Appointed as C.E.O. of Dutch Training Agency Van Harte & Lingsma

OEGSTGEEST, Netherlands, November 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Joep C. de Jong (55) has been appointed as Dutch education and training agency Van Harte & Lingsma's C.E.O. with effect from 1st November 2009. He was employed at British Telecom (BT) as their Learning Solutions Director for over eleven years prior to this. Here he was responsible for BT customers' e-Learning activities. At Van Harte & Lingsma De Jong is following in the footsteps of Interim C.E.O. Bob Hoogstra.

De Jong achieved his horticulture bachelor degree at the National Horticultural College in Utrecht in 1976. He was linked to the Central School for Horticulture between 1978 and 1984 and organised various training activities for the International Agricultural Centre (IAC) in Wageningen. After this he was employed as Business Unit Manager for Apple Computer from 1984 to 1991. In 1991, De Jong founded JLS International, an organisation that provides high-end training and consultancy services to organisations in various different markets.

Appreciative Inquiry

De Jong has been one of the authorities surrounding the use of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) during organisational developments since halfway through the nineteen nineties. AI can be described as 'appreciative research and organisation'. He was part of the editorial team of the first Dutch management book for AI; 'Appreciative Organisation' together with Annemarie van Iren, Rombout van den Nieuwenhof and Robbert Masselink. His interest is mainly in the long term effects of AI in organisations and the use of AI in the daily processes.

Frequently requested speaker

As one of the founders of AI Consulting LLC, an international organisation which promotes the use of AI, De Jong provides lectures at various different international conferences (Boston 2002, Miami 2004, Soesterberg 2006, Bethel 2007, New York 2008, Copenhagen 2009, and Kathmandu 2009).

About Van Harte & Lingsma

Van Harte & Lingsma has been an authority in the development of people and organisations for 24 years. The agency organises (professional) courses, training and coaching projects focussed on leadership and management, personal development and inspiration, personal effectiveness and communication. Van Harte & Lingsma also provides tailor-made services focussed on change processes, team development and involvement. Van Harte & Lingsma has 50 employees and is located in Oegstgeest, the Netherlands.