Let's Get Serious About Your Career
I relieve pain, anxiety, and stress so you can lead a successful career and a fulfilling life.Â
Contact Tony“Over my time working with Tony, I found tremendous benefit from his coaching.  I have been in a life transition like many my age, an empty nester, business transitioning, and trying to find my “next act”. Tony did not give me answers to my questions about business and life, but he led me there through his encouragement, experience, and wisdom. I would highly encourage you to work with Tony Thelen, I am incredibly grateful for his friendship and support.”
Â
Craig Jackman
Co-Founder and President
Paragon IT Professionals
GET STARTED
Where Would You Like To Start?
  The River Weekly Column
Â
The River is a weekly column about life, leadership, and the quiet choices that shape who we become. Each piece offers a brief pause from the noise to reflect, recalibrate, and consider how we are showing up in our work, our relationships, and our communities.
The River blends personal stories, leadership insight, and practical wisdom drawn from decades of experience in business and coaching.Â
Nationally Syndicated personal and professional development column.Â
______________________
Time:Â less than 5 minutes
Cost:Â FREE
Â
The River
Pro Articles
A new series of over 24 articles designed to help you take positive and constructive steps in career and life.
These tools are the best way to test drive executive coaching that is convenient for you and doesn't break the bank!Â
These articles share unique tools and concepts, provide expert coaching and advice, and help you personalize them to your unique situation.Â
_______________________
Time:Â less than 1 hour
Included:Â Â Professional coaching, pro-tips, and personalized e-mail supportÂ
Cost:Â FREE
Â
The River
Book ClubÂ
Â
One of the best ways to advance your career and life is to use the experience of others. Reading books is one of the best ways to accelerate your development.Â
The River Book Club exists to be a repository of books that have helped executive coaching clients and professionals Tony has known throughout his career. This repository will grow so keep checking from time to time to see new books added.Â
Write in the margins, highlight key insights, answer questions, and come back to these books often as your career grows!
_______________________
Cost: FREE
Â
Â
 Â
The River Executive CoachingÂ
The most personalized approach to career development. Unlock your career and life potential with coaching and mentoring directly from Tony
You get the benefits of Tony's 35 year career combined with his training from the world's best executive coaching organizations.Â
Each engagement is customized to support your individual needs.  100% confidential.
_______________________
Time: Typically a 12 month engagement.
Cost: 90% less than an average executive MBA. Tax deductible in some circumstances.
Limited availability.Â
Â
LATEST FROM "The River"Â
Experience and Advice you can use TODAY
Send your confidential career related questions directly to Tony at [email protected].Â
NICE TO MEET YOU
Tony Thelen
Â
Â
Â
Tony Thelen is the Founder and Principal Executive Coach at The River Coaching and Consulting, LLC, a leadership advisory practice dedicated to helping executives lead more successful and fulfilling lives—both at work and at home. Tony believes success is not measured solely by professional achievement, but by the ability to earn “A’s at work and A’s at home.” Through executive coaching, strategic counsel, and leadership development, he helps leaders reduce unnecessary stress and anxiety while building clarity, confidence, and purpose in their lives and careers.
Tony holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University, an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa, and a postgraduate diploma from Oxford University in Strategy and Innovation. He is a certified NeuroLeadership Coach, certified in Hogan Assessments, and accredited through the Co-Active Training Institute. He is also a member of the International Coaching Federation and a CoachSource qualified executive coach.
Tony spent 35 years with John Deere, where his career spanned engineering, manufacturing leadership, sales, customer support, marketing, and global product strategy. He also held leadership roles within Deere’s Precision Agriculture organization. During the final decade of his career with John Deere Financial, Tony led major initiatives in sales growth, strategy, and digital transformation, ultimately serving as Chief Product Officer and Strategic Advisor before retiring in May 2023 to focus full time on executive coaching.
Tony is the author of the syndicated professional development column “The River,” which reaches more than 100,000 readers through regional newspapers and digital platforms. He is also the author of the bestselling 2023 book Am I Doing This Right? Foundations for a Successful Career and a Fulfilling Life. In November 2025 he released his newest book, Things We Desire – The Desiderata Turns 100, a reflective work exploring timeless principles for living a meaningful and balanced life.
When he is not coaching or writing, Tony enjoys fly fishing the rivers of Colorado and Montana, spending time on West Okoboji Lake in northwest Iowa, and doing his best to raise three remarkable daughters.
Certifications and Affiliations
• International Coaching Federation
• NeuroLeadership Institute Certified Coach
• Hogan Leadership Assessments Certified
• CoachSource Qualified Executive Coach
Â
Â
Contact Tony
"Tony's mentoring has been really impactful to different aspects of my career. Beginning with tools and techniques to manage stress and anxiety to helping me move from tactical roles to strategic roles."
- Florencia Marinelli Controller
"Tony's mentoring and guidance really helped me navigate what it looks like to develop a career where I can create opportunities to perform my best and contribute the most"
- Carl Wiedemeier
Mgr, Product Test & Evaluation
" Tony's practical advice and timely stories based on years of experience offered perspective and guidance.....his keynote presentation to our accounting and business students kept them engaged, and they left with confidence and excitement."
Professor Joseph Ugrin
University of Northern Iowa, Head of Dept. of Accounting
The River Newsletter
Actionable Professional Development and Career Advice
Use other people's experience to improve your life.
(You're safe with me. I'll never spam you or sell your contact info.)