Helping People Learn Technology for More Than 35 Years
Hi, I’m Jeff Lapp, founder of Lighthouse Training.
Jump to: How I got here | Lighthouse Story | Finding My Voice | What I Learned | Still Learning Today | My Classes
How I Got Here
People sometimes ask how I became a technology trainer. The truth is that my path wasn’t a straight line. I didn’t set out to become a teacher, and I don’t have a degree in education. Instead, a lifetime of experiences gradually taught me how people learn, communicate, solve problems, and build confidence. Looking back, many of those lessons started long before I ever taught my first computer class.
My father often volunteered me to read at church. In Sunday School, he served as superintendent for a time and led the opening exercises. Every week he would ask if anyone knew their memory verse. Once, I asked why it was so important that my brother, sisters, and I always knew ours. He admitted that he hated standing in front of a group. It was comforting for him to know that one of the four Lapp kids could raise a hand. If we did, he didn’t have to do a song and dance while waiting for someone else to participate.
At the time, I had no idea those experiences were helping me become comfortable speaking in front of people. Later, broadcasting taught me how to communicate clearly and keep an audience engaged. Military training introduced me to technology, discipline, and troubleshooting. Retail sales taught me how to listen, understand people’s needs, and connect with people from all walks of life. Every experience seemed to add another tool to the toolbox.
Where “Lighthouse” Came From
In 1988, I was downsized from a job and decided to strike out on my own as an independent technology consultant. I knew right away I didn’t want to call it “Lapp & Associates.” To me, that name always sounded like someone between jobs, whether or not that was true, I didn’t want to advertise it.
The real name came to me by accident. I was driving along Minnesota’s North Shore when a break in the treeline gave me a glimpse of Split Rock Lighthouse standing over Lake Superior. Something clicked. That’s exactly what I did for my clients, I helped guide them through confusing, changing technology. Lighthouse it was.
That single image has stuck with me ever since, it’s still the photo at the top of this website today. And “Shining a guiding light on technology” isn’t just a tagline I picked for marketing. It’s genuinely how I think about the work: not selling the latest tool, but helping people find their way through it.
Finding My Voice
Communication skills became even more important when I joined Toastmasters. What began as a way to become a better speaker turned into a 35-year journey of learning, leadership, and personal growth. Through Toastmasters, I developed the presentation skills that continue to help me connect with students today.
Getting Around
Driven in all 50 states. Taught in 49.
Every state but Hawaii (still waiting on that invitation) — plus 43 state capitols and 8 English-speaking countries.
I’ve been blessed to be able to say that I get around.
What My Parents Taught Me
One of the most important influences in my life came from watching my parents. My father pushed himself to do things that made him uncomfortable — public speaking among them. From my mother, I learned a different lesson. Later in life, she broke her ankle, and the plate and screws never stopped giving her trouble. Rather than risk going through that again, she started saying no to things she used to do without a second thought. Over time, I watched her world get smaller. It left a lasting impression on me. I decided that I never wanted to stop learning, never stop being curious, and never stop growing.
Still Learning Today
That commitment to lifelong learning continues to drive me today. Whether I’m exploring artificial intelligence, Microsoft Copilot, Power BI, SharePoint, Excel, or the latest productivity tools, I’m always looking for ways to learn something new and then help others understand it.
What You’ll Find in My Classes
Curiosity and a “keep learning” mindset shape how I teach. Here’s what you can expect when you’re in one of my classes:
- Clear, practical instruction
- Real-world examples and stories
- Hands-on learning
- A supportive, comfortable environment
- Plenty of opportunities to ask questions
- Skills you can use immediately
My goal has always been simple: help people build confidence and develop skills they can use long after the class is over. The toolbox gets new tools every few years. What matters is that you know how to use whatever’s in it.
If this sounds like the kind of training your team needs, I’d love to talk — Contact Me
Jeff Lapp
Founder, Lighthouse Training