COUNCIL HOSTS NATIONAL CONVERSATION WITH THE THREE DHS SECRETARIES
The Council hosted a National Conversation on Homeland Security Looking Forward, in coordination with the Homeland Security Policy Institute, featuring a discussion with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and her predecessors Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff. Held on October 11, 2011, the conversation was moderated by Admiral Thad Allen, former Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), and focused on the challenges facing homeland security, the continuously changing threat environment, and the role of the private sector over the next decade. Additionally, the Council released its 14th and final monograph as part of its "9/10/11 Project," focusing on successful Public-Private Partnerships that have served to help prepare our nation over the past decade. Watch the program. Read the press release.


MEMBERS MEET WITH DHS UNDER SECRETARY FOR INTELLIGENCE & ANALYSIS
Caryn Wagner, DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence & Analysis, spoke to members at our September Executive Roundtable. Under Secretary Wagner discussed her work coordinating intelligence activities across DHS, fusion centers, and other law enforcement agencies across government.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH CHAIRMAN ADERHOLT
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, spoke to senior executive Council members at our July Executive Roundtable. Chairman Aderholt discussed his priorities as Chairman and how his subcommittee examined and prioritized homeland security funding during the current budgetary environment.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH THE COMMANDANT OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD
Admiral Robert J. Papp, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, spoke to Council members at our June Executive Roundtable. The conversation focused on the Coast Guard's mission to protect the United States from maritime threats, and an update on the new national security cutters that are needed to meet the evolving mission requirements of the Coast Guard. Additionally, Admiral Papp engaged Council members in a discussion on the potential negative effects of budget cuts on Coast Guard acquisitions and operations.

MEMBERS HEAR FROM DOD ASSISTANT SECRETARY PAUL STOCKTON
Dr. Paul Stockton, the Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense and America's Security Affairs at DOD, spoke to Council members at our May Executive Roundtable. The conversation focused on DOD's role in responding to potential terrorist attacks and natural disasters in the United States, and the issues surrounding the partnerships between DOD and state governments during emergencies. Additionally, Assistant Secretary Stockton discussed avenues for private sector participation in defining a long-term strategy and a concept of operations for combating domestic terrorism.



DHS ASSISTANT SECRETARY KEIL MEETS WITH MEMBERS 
Todd Keil, Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, DHS, spoke to Council members at our April Executive Roundtable.  The Assistant Secretary discussed the mission and goals of the Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP), how they work across DHS to protect our nation's critical infrastructures and provided us with his perspective on the impact of the budget discussions on IP. He also shared with the attendees his view of IP's role in communicating to the owners and operators of the critical infrastructure community, and the efforts made to reduce the gaps and vulnerabilities across the 18 sectors.



EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH DHS CPO
Nick Nayak, Chief Procurement Officer for DHS spoke to senior executives at our March Executive Roundtable. Nayak discussed his work overseeing the Department's procurement and his desire to implement a consistent procurement process across DHS.





NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON THE STATE OF HOMELAND SECURITY: PREPAREDNESS
The Council launched The National Conversation Series on the State of Homeland Security, its prestigious VIP speaker series that examines critical issues that threaten our homeland security. These strategic conversations with national leaders from the public, private and non-governmental organizations seek to further the strategic vision and direction of our nation's efforts to secure our homeland. The inaugural Conversation focused on Preparedness and was held to discuss the strategic direction of the nation's preparedness agenda. The event featured W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, FEMA; Gail McGovern, President & CEO, The American Red Cross; and Jack Mayer, Executive Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton & Chairman of the Council.  Click here to watch the program. Read more.



BORDER PATROL CHIEF SPEAKS TO COUNCIL MEMBERS
Michael Fisher, Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, spoke to senior executives at our February Executive Roundtable.  Chief Fisher discussed the Department's border patrol strategies, enforcement on the northern and southern borders, and the Border Patrol's  partnerships with other law enforcement agencies.  Additionally, Council members learned more about the Border Patrol's jurisdictional authorities and Corridor Campaign Planning. 




U.S. SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR  HONORED AT COUNCIL'S ANNUAL DINNER
The Council honored Mark Sullivan, Director of the U.S. Secret Service, for his outstanding leadership and public service; issued a challenge to its members to further promote private sector thought leadership and honored its corporate and small business members of the year at our Annual Dinner held on December 9.  Read more.








COUNCIL HEARS FROM DHS UNDER SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Dr. Tara O'Toole, Under Secretary for Science and Technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, spoke to a group of Council members at our December Executive Roundtable. Dr. O'Toole discussed biodefense initiatives, S&T's role in supporting the Department's components, and their efforts to identify future problems and threats.





EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH ICE ASSISTANT SECRETARY
On November 18, the Council hosted an Executive Roundtable with John Morton, Assistant Secretary, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.   Assistant Secretary Morton discussed the breadth of ICE's law enforcement responsibilities, challenges to establishing a unified vision for ICE, and his priorities for the coming years. Mike Becraft, Senior Vice President at Serco moderated the discussion on behalf of Council members.




POST-ELECTION DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON HOMELAND SECURITY
On November 9, the Council held an Executive Brief on the 2010 election focused solely on homeland security/defense policy issues. Former members of Congress shared their experiences on how a transitional election can impact and influence policies. Leading reporters covering the homeland security space provided an assessment on the impact the election will have on the homeland security agenda for the 112th Congress. The event was hosted by Dickstein Shapiro LLP and concluded with special remarks by the Honorable J. Dennis Hastert, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.




DHS UNDER SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT MEETS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS
Senior executives heard from Rafael Borras, Under Secretary for Management, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at the Council's October Executive Roundtable. Under Secretary Borras discussed his priorities for the Management Directorate, finding the right workforce balance to support missions, and the development of the new DHS campus. Janet Hale, Director, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and former Under Secretary for Management, moderated the discussion, and Council members learned more about the relationship between the Management Directorate and the operational side of the Department.




INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT EXPERTS DISCUSS PROTECTING THE NETWORKED WORLD
The Homeland Security & Defense Business Council hosted an Executive Brief focused on how to incentivize the private sector to achieve a more secure cyber environment on October 13, 2010. Given the vast amount of digital infrastructure owned and operated by industry, assuring private sector buy-in and participation is critical to any national cyber security strategy. Sponsored by Council member IBM, the program focused on what types of incentives exist, initiatives that have potential for future success, and the challenges that the nation faces in securing cyberspace. Throughout the discussion, information sharing and cooperative relationships between the private and public sectors were identified as key factors in improving cyber security. Click here to watch the program.


EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
David Kris, Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for National Security, U.S. Department of Justice, spoke to Council members at the September Executive Roundtable.  AAG Kris discussed the history and evolution of the National Security Division since its creation four years ago, and the division's role in conveying intelligence to the national security community.  Members learned more about the Justice Department's relationship with the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies. 




EXPERTS DISCUSS AVIATION SECURITY POLICY
The Council held an Executive Brief program focusing on the lessons learned and the development of a strategic vision for the application of appropriate technologies in coordination with the human, intel and information capital necessary to establish a comprehensive aviation security model for our nation. Click here to watch the Executive Brief held at Deloitte on July 27, 2010.







SENIOR EXECUTIVES HEAR FROM NPPD UNDER SECRETARY RAND BEERS
Rand Beers, Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), spoke to a group of senior executives at the Council's June Executive Roundtable moderated by Dave Patterson, President, Optelecom-NKF, Inc. Under Secretary Beers discussed the vast roles and responsibilities he has at the Department, and updated members on NPPD's work with cybersecurity and infrastructure protection. He also discussed private-public partnerships, and the need for the private sector to report cyber intrusions to the federal government.





EXECUTIVE BRIEF ON THE HOMELAND SECURITY MARKET
Together with our strategic partner, The Civitas Group, the Council held a successful and insightful Executive Brief on the Challenges & Opportunities in the Homeland Security Market: The Imperatives of Building an Effective & Efficient Process at Lockheed Martin's Global Vision Center in Arlington, Virginia. Panelists and discussants offered observations on the current state of the homeland security market, provided critical perspective on how to improve it and stressed the importance of a robust dialogue between government and industry.

AVIATION SECURITY TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION ON CAPITOL HILL

Thirteen Council member companies demonstrated their aviation security technologies at our first-ever technology demonstration on Capitol Hill on May 27, 2010. Robin Kane, Assistant Administrator and Chief Technology Officer at the Transportation Security Administration met with each of the companies and delivered brief remarks on the importance of continuous innovation to keep up with our dynamic aviation security needs.As a follow-up to the event, the Council hosted an Executive Brief focusing on the Strategies Surrounding Aviation Security, on July 27, 2010, at Deloitte's Waterview Conference Center.




EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH DHS CIO RICHARD SPIRES
Council Chairman Jack Mayer, Executive Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton, moderated a discussion with Richard Spires, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at our May Executive Roundtable. CIO Spires talked to Council members about his role at the Department, the integration of the initiative "One DHS" and his work with other CIOs within the Department to improve effectiveness and efficiencies.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH U.S. HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Members of the Council heard from U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, at an Executive Roundtable moderated by André Lynch, President and CEO of Ingenium Corporation. The Chairman discussed his efforts to ensure federal contracts are awarded to small businesses, the need for fiscally responsible investment in new technology developments, and other homeland security matters he is tackling on the Committee.







DHS ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR MEETS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council members heard from Douglas Smith, Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at an Executive Roundtable held on February 23, 2010. During the discussion moderated by David Abel, Vice President of IBM, the Assistant Secretary stated the importance he and the Secretary place on the role and responsibility of the private sector in providing homeland security solutions, and reiterated the need for renewed outreach efforts to improve communication between industry and government. For additional information on the Council’s discussion with Assistant Secretary Smith, visit our Council news page.




MEMBERS HEAR FROM DHS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Dr. Alexander Garza, Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, spoke to Council members at the Executive Roundtable on January 27th. Moderated by Cos DiMaggio of The Tauri Group, Dr. Garza discussed interagency coordination and coordination with other federal agencies on medical and health matters.Additionally, Dr. Garza discussed information sharing with state and local governments, contingency plans, and his hopes to bolster chemical protective capabilities and improve bio detection. Dr. Garza provided insight on the work the Office of Health Affairsis doing to protect the nation from health hazards.

To view a list of upcoming Council events, click here.

HSDBC's Event Highlights from 2004 - 2008