11/01/2025
Born in England, Arkansas, Dr. Petty is a nationally acclaimed speaker, educator, and advocate for families, with a lifelong commitment to strengthening relationships and promoting emotional wellness across generations. He currently serves as President of Family Success Unlimited, Inc., where he continues to inspire and empower audiences through keynotes, seminars, and strategic leadership consultations.
Dr. Petty began his academic journey at England High School before pursuing Chemical Engineering at Mississippi State University. He later earned his B.A. from Ouachita University in Arkansas and completed his Ph.D. at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where he authored a groundbreaking dissertation on divorce.
His distinguished career includes executive leadership in the Governor’s Office of North Carolina, where he served as Senior Staff and Executive Director of the Office of Citizen Affairs, overseeing over 1.1 million volunteers and managing more than 100,000 citizen inquiries. He has also held leadership positions with the Baptist Conventions of North Carolina and Texas,
directing programs on marriage, family life, sexuality, and counseling.
Dr. Petty has served as North Carolina’s Coordinator for the White House Conference on Families and Co-Coordinator for the White House Conference on Children. He has been a visiting professor at both Southeastern Seminary and Wingate University, where he taught on family dynamics and human sexuality.
A dynamic communicator, Dr. P. has delivered keynote addresses in all 50 U.S. states and in 15 countries, speaking to over 3,700 organizations, including churches, schools, government agencies, businesses, and civic groups. His audiences have ranged in size from intimate gatherings to arenas of over 27,000 people.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Petty has been inducted into the National Speakers Hall of Fame (CPAE) and honored as one of the “Legends of the Speaking Profession” by the Veterans Speakers Association. He is an active member of the National Council on Family Relations and continues to serve his local church and community.
He and his wife, Jamie Brewer Petty, reside in North Carolina and are proud parents of two children, Anthony and Jeremy, and loving grandparents to Allison, Ben, Caleb, Dylan, Tanner, and Tom.
Dr. Petty’s depth of experience, wit, and wisdom makes him a powerful voice for today’s families, and an inspiring keynote presence at this year’s MCA Fall Conference.
