The Institute for Defense and Business Inducts Executive Fellows for 2012-2013

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Institute for Defense and Business (IDB), a non-profit research and education institute that brings together the U.S. government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and academia to achieve excellence and innovation through executive education programs, announced its 2012-2013 class of IDB Executive Fellows. The IDB established the Executive Fellows Program to provide selected retired senior leaders from the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the military services an opportunity to continue to share their knowledge and experience. For the eighth consecutive year, SAS the leader in business analytics software and services, sponsors the program.

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"We are honored to once again participate in the Executive Fellows program," said Karen Terrell, Vice President of SAS Federal. "The Fellows' knowledge and experience is profoundly valuable to the military and industry. Through our involvement, SAS gains a better understanding of the analytics needs of the Department of Defense."

The IDB Board of Directors, chaired by former North Carolina Governor James G. Martin, hosted an installation dinner in Washington, DC, the evening of September 13, 2012 at the Ronald Reagan Building. U.S. Congressman David Price (D-NC) and Mr. Don Ducey, Director, Strategic Initiatives, SAS Institute, provided opening remarks for the event which was attended by Members of Congress, and representatives of the U.S. Government, the Military, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and academia.

Former North Carolina Governor James G. Martin delivered remarks and presided over the induction ceremony. Other speakers included the following:

• Mr. Mark C. Cramer, IDB President

• VADM James Zortman, USN (Ret.) Sector Vice President, Life Cycle Logistics Support, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, IDB Executive Fellow Emeritus (2011-2012)

• Lt Gen Donald Wetekam, USAF (Ret.) Senior Vice President of Government & Defense, Business Development, AAR CORP., IDB Executive Fellow Emeritus (2011-2012)

• Lt Gen Gary McKissock, USMC (Ret.) IDB Executive Fellow Emeritus (2005-2006)

• LTG William Mortensen, USA (Ret.) Chairman and CEO, Mortensen and Associates, IDB Board of Directors, IDB Executive Fellow Emeritus (2009-2010)

• RADM Ronald Rabago, Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics/Chief Engineer, U.S. Coast Guard

The 2012-2013 IDB Executive Fellows inducted at the dinner are: Admiral Eric T. Olson, USN, (Ret.) former Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command; General Roger A. Brady, USAF (Ret.) former Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Lieutenant General Bruce B. Knutson, Jr., USMC (Ret.) former Commander, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; Lieutenant General Mitchell H. Stevenson, USA (Ret.) former Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, G-4, U.S. Army and Rear Admiral Ronald F. Silva, USCG (Ret.) former Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District.

"The Fellows program gives these distinguished leaders a chance to give back and share their collective experience and wisdom through the IDB programs," said Mark C. Cramer, President of the IDB. "Having attained flag rank in the Military, and in their continued engagement with the private sector, these Executive Fellows are uniquely prepared to mentor our next generation of leaders. Their expertise in logistics, engineering and operations also provides unprecedented insight to our participants as we strive to innovate and transform organizations to be more efficient and more productive."

Since the beginning of the Fellows Program, these highly qualified and knowledgeable individuals have contributed significantly by serving as guest lecturers across the range of IDB programs, representing the IDB at conferences, and working with faculty on key academic case studies and research. In addition, Fellows provide thought leadership ensuring that IDB programs remain current and vibrant in the ever-changing logistics, business, and geopolitical arenas.

For more than three decades, SAS has provided innovative solutions targeting the unique needs of the federal government. All 15 US federal departments and 80 national governments worldwide use SAS software's analytic and predictive capabilities for critical initiatives such as performance management, budgeting, cyberdefense, combating fraud and improper payments, and threat assessment.

About the IDB

The IDB is a non-profit research and education institute formed in 1997 by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the state of North Carolina. The institute provides custom executive education programs in the areas of logistics and technology, life cycle systems, leadership and organizational transformation, strategic studies, and stabilization and economic reconstruction.

About SAS

SAS is the leader in business analytics software and services, and the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence market. Through innovative solutions, SAS helps customers at more than 60,000 sites improve performance and deliver value by making better decisions faster. Since 1976 SAS has been giving customers around the world THE POWER TO KNOW®. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. ® indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright © 2012 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.

Contact: Maya Zumwalt, IDB Communications Director
919-969-8008

SOURCE Institute for Defense and Business