Event Highlights 2004-2008

Over the course of its first four years, the Council hosted close to 70 Executive Roundtables and other substantive briefings with senior officials at the new Department and key congressional leaders. The Roundtable format created an opportunity for senior executive Council members to get to know and share their expertise and perspectives in an informal and intimatedialogue setting on our nation's homeland security challenges. Events with key public sector homeland security leaders during the first three years included: Michael Chertoff, DHS Secretary Fran Townsend, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member, House Homeland Security Committee Admiral James Loy, DHS Deputy Secretary Asa Hutchinson, DHS Under Secretary for Border & Transportation Security Janet Hale, DHS Under Secretary for Management Charles McQueary, DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology George Foresman, DHS Under Secretary for Preparedness Admiral Thomas H. Collins, USCG Commandant Admiral Thad Allen, USCG Commandant Robert Bonner, CBP Commissioner Kip Hawley, TSA Director Emilio Gonzalez, USCIS Director Stewart Baker, DHS Assistant Secretary for Policy Gregory Garcia, DHS Assistant Secretary for Cyber Al Martinez-Fonts, DHS Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector Parney Albright, DHS Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology Paul McHale, DOD Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Greg Rothwell, DHS Chief Procurement Officer Elaine Duke, DHS Chief Procurement Officer Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs R. David Paulison, DHS Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management Admiral Jay Cohen, DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology Admiral Roger Rufe, DHS Director of Operations Coordination Scott Charbo, DHS Chief Information Officer. In 2006, the Council instituted its Lifetime Service Achievement Award to a senior Government official who has exhibitedextraordinary public service and unwavering leadership with regard to homeland security issues at its Annual Dinner that brings together senior homeland security executives and public sector leaders. U.S. Representative Peter King (R-NY) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) - the respective chairs of the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees - were the first recipients. Tom Ridge, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security also gave the keynote. In 2007, the Council presented the Award to DHS Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson.