Rockwater Energy CEO Larry O'Donnell Keynotes Society of Corporate Secretaries 2012 Regional Fall Conference In Austin

HOUSTON, Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Houston Chapter of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals today announced that Rockwater Energy Solutions, Inc. Chairman and CEO Larry O'Donnell will keynote the Chapter's Regional Fall Conference, October 1-3, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Austin, Texas. All Society members, as well as non-members, are invited to attend.

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O'Donnell, who also serves as Rockwater's President and former President and Chief Operating Officer of Waste Management, Inc., will speak on "The Distinctive Voice of Corporate Experience."  Mr. O'Donnell was featured in the first episode of the popular television series "Undercover Boss" and will share his views and insights on corporate governance.

Other sessions scheduled for Monday, October 1, 2012, include panel discussions on the future of the SEC featuring SEC Regional Director, David Woodcock, as well as issues relating to Audit and Compensation Committees.

The Conference concludes Tuesday, October 2, 2012, with an address from Society leadership, including Chairman, Kenneth Wagner, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary for Peabody Energy, Chairman-Elect, Wendi Bickett, Assistant Corporate Secretary for Enterprise Products, and Darla Stuckey, Senior Vice President – Policy and Advocacy for the Society. Other Tuesday sessions include a review of the 2012 proxy season and an update for 2013, Corporate Secretary career paths, and what is expected of the Corporate Secretary from the Board of Directors.

There are two post-conference seminars on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, including an Ethics Workshop and Corporate Secretary Nuts and Bolts (CLE Credit pending). The latter is a program designed for the new or less-experienced corporate secretary, assistant corporate secretary, or support staff to review the function's fundamentals and current best practices.

Conference Co-Chair, Liz Campbell, Corporate Governance Specialist with LyondellBasell, said, "While in Austin this year - the 'Live Music Capital of the World' - we will learn about up-to-the minute governance happenings and will network in a tranquil setting on beautiful Lady Bird Lake that provides the best views of downtown."

Steve Paul, Conference Co-Chair and former Senior Legal Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary, Shell Oil Company, added, "The Hyatt Regency is surrounded by the entertainment districts of South Congress, the Warehouse District, and 2nd and 6th Streets. Plan to come to Austin with us for the perfect combination of learning and fun!"

To register for the Society's 2012 Fall Regional Conference, please visit http://www.regonline.com/2012societyfallconference.

To register at Austin's Hyatt Regency (Downtown on the Lake), please visit https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=9468588.

For conference sponsorship inquiries, please contact Natalie Hairston, Chief Governance Officer at ENGlobal, at [email protected].

For inquiries regarding membership in the Society's Houston Chapter, please contact Dana Blankenship, Capitol Services, Inc. at [email protected].

http://connect.governanceprofessionals.org/governanceprofessionals/Chapters/Houston

About the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals
Founded in 1946, the Society is a professional association of over 3,000 attorneys, accountants and other governance professionals who serve 1,800 public, private and not for profit companies of most every size and industry.  Its members support the work of corporate boards and executive management regarding corporate governance and disclosure, compliance with the corporate and securities laws and regulations, and stock exchange listing requirements.  The Society provides educational programs, develops best practices and provides data and constructive comments in response to legislative and regulatory requests for information about the practical implications and likely effectiveness of proposed changes in governance practices or regulations.

SOURCE Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals