55 Veteran Military Admirals and Generals Prepare to Move From the Battlefield to the Boardroom to Bolster Investor Confidence and Reinforce Leading Corporate Governance Practices

Innovative Three-Day Program Prepares Proven Leaders for Boardroom Service

News provided by

National Association of Corporate Directors

Mar 12, 2012, 05:15 ET

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- During a sold-out three-day NACD event, more than 50 retired or soon-to-retire military admirals and generals learned how they could apply their leadership, organizational and global strategy skills honed by years of military service into new careers as corporate directors. The program highlighted the importance of integrity and courage in the boardroom as part of NACD's mission to advance exemplary board leadership.

NACD's program titled From Battlefield to Boardroom featured both senior business leaders and former military flag and general officers who currently serve on corporate boards.

"With 30 years of active military service, the business world is very foreign to many of us," said Jim H. Keffer, Major General (select), U.S. Air Force. "This course cast a bright light on those unknown areas and gave many of us the first few steps through that portal."

"As a retired flag officer and current director, I can say without question that boardrooms across the country will benefit from the leadership skills that these officers bring to the board," said William J. Fallon, Admiral, U.S. Navy (ret.), former commander of the U.S. Pacific and U.S. Central Commands and current chairman of CounterTack, Inc., a cyber-security company. "The integrity, courage and decision-making skills that these proven leaders embody are a unique asset to investors, shareholders and the companies they serve."

The program, supported by Korn/Ferry International, KPMG LLP, and Broadridge Financial Solutions, was the first step in each attendee's journey toward transitioning their military service into the boardroom. Highlights included an address from Dr. Jack London, chairman of CACI International Inc.; a discussion of the leadership qualities needed for directors led by Robert J. Stevens, chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin; a discussion on strategy and risk from the board's perspective featuring Adm. Fallon; a review of key boardroom committees, a primer on outside forces in the boardroom and a session detailing how to understand and scrutinize financial statements.

A special address was given by Lee Ellis, president and founder of Leadership Freedom, LLC, an expert on leadership and career development who consults in the areas of hiring, team building, leadership development and succession planning. Ellis is the author of Leading with Honor – Lessons Learned in Hanoi Hilton, based on his personal experience after being shot down in 1967 and held as a POW for more than five years in Hanoi.

"This first-of-its-kind program was a success in that we helped highly skilled military officers begin to transition their leadership experience into assets that can be applied directly within corporate boardrooms throughout the country," said Ken Daly, president and CEO of NACD. "It has been an honor to share our more than three decades of research and experience with these accomplished men and women. We are confident that their leadership, integrity and strategic insights will play a valuable role in their future governance positions."

Visit www.NACDonline.org/battlefieldtoboardroom to view the program's agenda, a complete list of featured speakers and information about NACD's Battlefield to Boardroom Advisory Council.

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 12,000 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 more than 30 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 join, please contact Kelly Dodd at [email protected] or 202-380-1891.

SOURCE National Association of Corporate Directors