Built for today’s economy

About Us

Why Choose ForgeNow?

America is returning to the trades. We train adults in all stages of life for in-demand, well-paying careers.

Our economy needs more than just four-year or even two-year degreed employees. There is a huge demand for skilled employees in the workforce who are trained specifically for their careers and are job-ready on day one.

Our founders saw this need and created a solution. ForgeNow has a Certificate of Approval from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Our training programs are built with input from the employer, structured for both the business and employee to have a successful long-term partnership.

HEAR FROM STUDENTS

We Saw a Need

Innovation has been slow to come to trade school education — until now. ForgeNow has combined the best modern practices from a variety of industries. Our program is interesting, fast-paced, and hands-on. We actually provide you with $1,000 worth of brand new tools so you can learn to do the work with your own equipment! And unlike some long, drawn-out programs that can take a year or more to complete, ForgeNow’s immersive training happens in just 8 weeks!

Our goal is to get you to that high-paying career now, not later.

Expert faculty, advanced facilities.

Our professional instructors know their industries inside and out and offer training that’s as close to on-the-job as you can get. Whether it’s inside leading-edge classrooms or hands-on labs, are students are thoroughly taught, tested, and highly sought-after by employers.

HEAR FROM OUR INSTRUCTORS

A ForgeNow student studying to be an HVAC technician participating in lab under the guidance of an instructor.

MEET OUR LEADERSHIP

Marvin Key

Co-Founder and CEO

Marvin Key is co-founder and CEO of ForgeNow Holdings, LLC and has over 25 years of experience in financial management and executive leadership. Most recently, Marvin served as CEO of Acacia Research Corporation, an intellectual property licensing company that generated over $1.4 billion in revenue with offices in the US, Asia, and Europe where he was responsible for strategic planning and performance. Prior to assuming the CEO role, Marvin was CEO of Acacia Research Group, LLC, the company’s largest operating subsidiary. Earlier in his career Marvin had senior level positions at leading investment banks Thomas Weisel Partners, Salomon Brothers, and Lehman Brothers. Marvin is a graduate of Clemson University and earned his MBA from Southern Methodist University. He and his wife, Tish, have been married for 29 years and have two children.

Rob Holmes

Co-Founder and President

Rob Holmes is co-founder and president of ForgeNow Holdings, LLC and has been an entrepreneur and private investor based in Dallas for over 20 years. Before beginning his business career, Rob served as an Armored Cavalry officer in the US Army and was decorated with the Bronze Star for Valor under enemy fire in Iraq. Rob is a 1989 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point. Shortly after graduation, Rob studied at the London School of Economics. After leaving active duty, Rob earned an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over the last twenty years, he has served in executive operating roles and as a director on boards for manufacturing, media, education, and food, beverage, and agriculture companies with an international scope and focus on specialty finance instruments and underlying real assets. Rob is co-author of The Eyes of Orion, a combat narrative of his experience in Operation Desert Shield & Desert Storm. Rob is father to two teenage sons, Jackson & Charlie.

Charles Sarver

Director

Charles Sarver is an accomplished senior manager and leader with over 30 years of educational and training experience within the Retail, Pest Control, and Heating and Air Conditioning industries. He was one of the youngest managers to work for Lowes Home Centers and held many leadership positions with Service Experts, a nationally known heating and cooling company. Charles was the founder of the Cornerstone Group, one of the largest HVAC training and marketing firms in North America. He has trained market-leading HVAC companies all over the country and continues that today. Charles and his wife, Joanna have three children.

Reid Slaughter

Director of Marketing

Reid Slaughter has worked in all facets of the media industry for more than 30 years. In 1981, he founded the weekly newspaper, Park Cities People in Dallas, TX. In 1988, Reid went on the road with the Atlanta Hawks basketball team and authored the book, Flying High, about the NBA’s smallest player, Anthony “Spud” Webb. After six years of producing and directing syndicated television, Reid purchased Santa Fe-based Cowboys & Indians Magazine and built it into and one of America’s Top 300 newsstand titles. He has been featured on NBC News, The New York Times, “Entertainment Tonight,” and Texas Monthly. In 2009, Reid co-founded You+Media, where he wrote, directed, and served as Creative Director for the production of more than 700 videos. Today Reid is CEO of Bandana Films, a Dallas-based film and video company. Reid has two children with Donna, his wife of 31 years.