Business Events

<p>Mike Abrashoff recounts his journey transforming the USS Benfold from the worst performing ship in the Navy to the best, and extracts lessons you can use to achieve breakthrough performance. </p><p>When CDR Abrashoff took command of the USS Benfold, the ship&#39;s performance ranked at the bottom of the U.S. Navy’s entire fleet. Determined to improve performance, he focused on what he could change – the ship&#39;s culture.

<p>In 2003 Doc Hendley dreamed up the concept of Wine To Water while bartending and playing music in nightclubs around Raleigh, North Carolina. In January of 2004 he held his first fundraiser and by August was living in Darfur, Sudan installing water systems for victims of the government-supported genocide.</p>

<p>Straight from the set of <em>Shark Tank</em> and the boardroom of FUBU, Daymond John takes audiences through his hard-won, real-world lessons on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurialism, and what it takes to succeed. </p><p><span style="font-size: 13px;">An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, Daymond John has come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house and moving his business operation into its basement.

<p>Tom Koulopoulos is Chairman and founder of Delphi Group, a 30-year-old Boston-based think tank named one of the fastest growing private companies by<em> Inc. Magazine, </em>and the founding partner of Acrovantage Ventures, which invests in early-stage technology startups.

<p>One of the nation&#39;s most unique storytellers, who is perhaps most recognizable donning a ball cap and construction boots, Mike Rowe is a popular media personality and the host of highly rated TV series, including Discovery Channel’s "Dirty Jobs" and annual "Shark Week" special.</p><p>Rowe&#39;s most recent TV project, CNN’s "Somebody’s Gotta Do It" introduces his fans and viewers to fascinating tradespeople, innovators and entrepreneurs.

<p>Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.) was the Commanding Officer of the USS <em>Cole</em> when it came under a suicide terrorist attack by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 2000. During his command, he and his crew distinguished themselves by saving the American war ship from sinking.

<p>General Peter Pace retired from active duty on October 1, 2007, after more than 40 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. General Pace was sworn in as sixteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Sep. 30, 2005. In this capacity, he served as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council.  Prior to becoming Chairman, he served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

<p>Scott McKain is an internationally known authority who helps organizations create distinction in every phase of business and teaches how to deliver an “Ultimate Customer Experience®.”</p><p>He is the founder of a consulting and training company that explores the role of ultimate customer experiences in creating enhanced client retention and revenue, and is the author of three Amazon.com #1 business bestsellers; all teaching how to expand profits, increase sales, and engage customers.

<p>Brian Wesbury is Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors L.P., a financial services firm based in Wheaton, Illinois.</p><p>Mr. Wesbury has been a member of the Academic Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago since 1999. In 2012, he was named a Fellow of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, TX where he works closely with its 4%-Growth Project.

<p>LTG Russel L. Honoré helps organizations develop a culture of preparedness and creates the mindset of problem-solving, take-charge leaders.</p><p>An American hero who helped a New Orleans recover from catastrophe, he has been chosen to lead the security review of the U.S. Capitol’s security infrastructure, interagency processes and procedures and command and control. Gen.