About Us

The Country Place Retreat and Conference Center is owned and operated by Creative Energy Options, Inc. (CEO), a global consulting company specializing in transformative leadership development programs. CEO founders Herb Kaufman and Dr. Sylvia Lafair purchased The Country Place in the late 1980s, recognizing that this pristinely beautiful yet easily accessible property was the ideal site for CEO's headquarters and private educational center.     After several years, Herb and Sylvia decided this rejuvenating environment was too special to keep to themselves, so they opened The Country Place to outside groups seeking a unique venue for their gatherings. Now, in addition to housing CEO programs and offices, The Country Place has become a favorite destination for church and spiritual retreats, personal growth workshops, environmental conferences, "spa days," educational seminars, and corporate meetings.

Our Staff

Mary Jane Saras, B.A., LCSW, is the Vice President, Leadership Development for Creative Energy Options, Inc. (CEO) at The Country Place. Her leadership has been instrumental in increasing visibility and programming of CEO. She co-founded a teen leadership program, "Young Leaders in Action", held at The Country Place Retreat and Conference Center. Mary Jane brings years of experience in group development, group process, team building and strategic planning to help organizations grow in creativity and collaboration. As a facilitator of "Total Leadership Connections", a four-session leadership development course, Mary Jane educates leaders about how to identify patterns that lie beneath the surface and impact all levels of individual, team and organizational success. She conducts other CEO programs as "Ouch! Resolving Conflict at Work ", "Get the But Out of Your Yes" and "Team Challenge Course", a custom-designed low ropes course.

"Should you shield the canyons from the windstorms, you would never see the beauty of their carvings." Elisabeth Kubler-Ross