P J's HEART By R. Marc Jordan, Sr.
GREETINGS,
In celebration of my upcoming 25th Anniversary of my successful heart transplant on August 24, 2000, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, I plan to offer my services as a speaker to share my experiences and message of hope and encouragement to leadership and community groups and associations across America.
I will also promote the Gift of Life, the donation of organs, tissues, and eyes, by encouraging everyone to register as an organ donor through Donate Life.
My Gift of Life came from P.J. Ferguson, a young 19-year-old from Geraldine, Alabama, and the love shared by PJ’s family has transformed my life and that of my family over these last 25 years.
If you or your organization is seeking a speaker for an event during 2025, I would appreciate your consideration.
Over the last 4-5 decades, I have dedicated my professional career to leading local chambers of commerce, from small to medium to metro chambers, including Rocky Mount, NC, Norfolk, VA, Raleigh, NC, Memphis, TN, and North Myrtle Beach, SC. I retired from the active chamber world in 2022 after providing leadership to the Montcross Area Chamber in Belmont, NC, in Gaston County near Charlotte.
I have led numerous multi-million-dollar initiatives over these years, designed to promote the creation of jobs, tourism, and improve education and the quality of life in all the communities I have served.
Although my time on this earth was projected to be limited following my transplant in 2000, I have been blessed to continue my community work and meet many milestones with my family, all very doubtful at the time.
I have dedicated my life to community service and as this very special anniversary approaches, I have no intention of sitting by and watching it come and pass without sharing these experiences with others and helping them see the possibilities, regardless of the circumstances.
When first diagnosed, my attending physician told me while in recovery, “I have bad news and good news. The bad news is you need a heart transplant and you need it now. The good news is, you’ll live 5 years if we get you one.” My children were 8, 4, and 4 at the time. I was the president and CEO of the Raleigh, NC chamber, and I assure you my response to this news was “Bring It On.” God has a plan for me, and I will follow his direction.
Over these last 25 years, I have always approached any difficult or challenging situation with a positive, can do attitude.
If the situation called for raising what might appear to be an unreasonable goal for a worthwhile initiative, we went after it with the thought of achieving our goal. This same attitude was taken to face any number of health challenges over these years.
A few years ago, I founded a small consulting firm, Shamgar Consulting, for the biblical figure in the Old Testament. Shamgar was told to singlehandedly leave his pasture with only his oxgoard, go to the fork in the road, and defend Israel from the Philistines, which he did by slewing 600 and delivering Israel.
I used the teachings of Shamgar found in Judges and a book titled The Three Secrets of Shamgar. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.
This has served me well, coupled with what I have experienced and done to overcome and excel following a life-transforming heart transplant.
So, if you are looking for someone to keynote an important event for your organization, motivate your leadership to overcome obstacles and achieve great results, or help facilitate your leadership to create a shared vision, I believe I can deliver a message that can really help.
I don’t bring a lot of bells and whistles to get your attention, just honest and sincere testimony.
My fees are very reasonable and I only book about 4 presentations each month. Basic travel and accommodation, if required, are all that’s added to my basic speaking fee of $750.
I sincerely appreciate your interest and hope we can schedule an inspirational and productive visit.
Marc Jordan
