NACD Launches Board Development Program Exclusively for Military Flag and General Officers

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In order to advance the highest standards of professionalism and cognitive diversity in the boardroom, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) today launched an innovative board development program to prepare military flag and general officers for boardroom service. This first-of-its-kind program builds on NACD's commitment to promoting exemplary board leadership over the past 35 years and provides NACD and its partners with an opportunity to give back to the military community by helping transition some of the most seasoned military leaders into America's boardrooms.

"We are privileged to have the opportunity to serve the men and women who have so bravely served our country," said Ken Daly, president and CEO of NACD. "These men and women are proven, world-class leaders, and the purpose of this program is to help them mold their leadership skills, wisdom, and broad experience to serve as unique assets in the boardroom."

Continued Daly, "Developing an engaged community of men and women who retired from the most senior ranks of the military will raise the standards of the directorship profession, provide diversity candidates for the future director positions, and provide opportunities for retired military officers currently serving as directors to mentor those with an interest in serving in the boardroom."

Interested veteran and active duty military flag and general officer leaders can request an invitation and review the agenda, speakers and program details at www.NACDonline.org/Military. This inaugural program is nearly sold-out and will be held from Tuesday, February 28 through Thursday, March 1, 2012, in Washington, D.C. 

The program's sessions will feature leading public company directors and corporate governance professionals to help military flag and general officers become aware of boardroom requirements and learn how some of their service-connected core skill sets can be applied to professional director positions in public and private company boardrooms. The program will include a primer on how military professionals may best position themselves for boardroom service while providing lessons on skills and knowledge development essential to leading corporate governance and boardroom practices.

This new program complements NACD's efforts to promote the unique values of broad, cognitive diversity in the boardroom. NACD will continue to promote the importance of cognitive diversity in the boardroom through unique forums and chapter events, sessions at its annual conference and authoritative resources.

"While many of the military leadership skills such as sound strategic thinking, risk management and decision making are also necessary for corporate leadership, it can sometimes be hard to translate those skills into the private sector. And yet, these competencies are desperately needed in today's boardrooms," said Hugh Shelton, chairman of the board, Red Hat; director, L-3 Communications; general, U.S. Army (Ret.) – chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. "With NACD's more than three decades of experience helping directors remain aware of leading boardroom practices, it is the right organization to lead this initiative."

Helping shape the program are several former military veterans and governance professionals, including:

• James Conway, Director, Textron; General, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) – 34th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
• Richard J. Daly, CEO, Broadridge Financial
• Marsha J. Evans, Director, Office Depot and Weight Watchers International; Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.) – Superintendent, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School
• William J. Fallon, Chairman of the Board, NeuralIQ; Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.) – Commander, U.S. Central Command
• Robert E. Hallagan, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Korn/Ferry International
• Thomas C. Lynch, Director, Chrysalis Holdings; Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.) – Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy
• William A. Owens, Chairman of the Board, Century Link; Director, PolyCom and Wipro; Managing Director, AEA Investors; Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.) – Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Michael Pocalyko, Chairman of the Board for TherimuneX Pharmaceuticals; Managing Director and CEO, Monticello Capital; Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.) – Office of the Secretary of Defense
• Henry (Hugh) Shelton, Chairman of the Board, Red Hat; Director, L-3 Communications; General, U.S. Army (Ret.) – Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Myron Steele, Chief Justice, Delaware Supreme Court; U.S. Army (Ret.) – Delaware Army National Guard
• Dennis Whalen, Partner in Charge and Executive Director, KPMG's Audit Committee Institute

Through a partnership with NACD partners Korn/Ferry International, KPMG's Audit Committee Institute and Broadridge Financial, most of the participants' expenses, including the cost of the program, meals, hotel stay in Washington, D.C. and access to select NACD member benefits for one year, will be covered in recognition of the service these military leaders have already given to their country.

Full information, including an up-to-date agenda for the two-day program, is available at http://www.NACDonline.org/Military.

About NACD

The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) is the only membership organization delivering the information and insights that corporate board members need to confidently confront complex business challenges and enhance shareowner value. With more than 11,000 members, NACD advances exemplary board leadership. NACD is focused on creating more effective and efficient boards through director-led education and peer forums to share ideas and leading practices based on 35 years of primary research. Fostering collaboration among directors and governance stakeholders, NACD is shaping the future of board leadership. To learn more about NACD, visit NACDonline.org. To become an NACD member, please contact Kelly Dodd at [email protected] or 202-380-1891.

Contact:
Henry Stoever, Chief Marketing Officer
National Association of Corporate Directors
202-775-0509

SOURCE National Association of Corporate Directors