General Craig Whelden retired from the U.S. Army on January 1st, 2004, after a distinguished thirty-year career. His last assignment was as the Deputy Commander, U.S. Army, Pacific at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Whelden found himself one of the senior military officials on-site after terrorists crashed an American Airlines jet bound for Los Angeles into the side of the Pentagon. All on board, plus more than 100 civilian and military personnel on the ground were killed. In the ensuing hours, Whelden helped to direct the multi-agency response to the Pentagon crash.

Upon his return to Hawaii, two days later, Whelden was immediately tasked with preparing our nation's westernmost defenses against what was now a clear and present danger to American safety. His plans for safeguarding Hawaii, the corridor to America's western coast, were later used as blueprints for national plans for homeland security, and as a result, Whelden has lectured to planners at the local, state, federal and military level. Whelden is currently the Chairman for the nation's premier National Conference on Information Sharing and Homeland Security. This annual conference, organized in the wake of 9/11, focuses on keeping planners at the local, state and federal level in touch with the latest information available in the effort to keep America safe.

Craig Whelden had an incredibly interesting and diverse 30-year military career. Originally a tanker and cavalryman serving mostly during the “Cold War,” he commanded troops in the all-male, combat arms environment for his first 20 years of service. Then -- as a colonel -- he was selected to command a garrison in Germany. Suddenly, he was in charge of thousands of civilians – men and women from all walks of life, and this experience ultimately led to his selection to oversee all of the Army’s recreation programs worldwide. Now the CEO of a $1.4B business, he was responsible for everything from hotels to restaurants, golf courses, fitness centers, child care centers, four resort centers, and even the largest route slot machine operation in the world!

Hear how he made the transition from "band of brothers" to "corporate CEO." As the first former garrison commander ever to be promoted into the General Officer ranks, Whelden is highly successful in applying basic leadership skills to very diverse groups.

September 11, 2001 changed America forever. Not since the cold war have American citizens felt the legitimate threat of attack within our own borders.The formation of The Office of Homeland Security, new legislation granting special powers to law enforcement, and the continued war on terror abroad are but only a few of the measures our government have taken to insure the safety of Americans.

What is being done behind the scenes to continue the fight against terror, at home, and abroad? With all that is being done, why do all the experts say it's only a matter of time before it happens again? How is our government working with local state and military officials to prepare for what they feel is an imminent threat? Are we doing all that we can to protect our way of life? The answers may surprise you. Whelden presents his thoughts on these and many other topics related to America's safety in this amazing presentation that everyone should attend.