Business Executives for National Security Business Leaders in Action LEADERSHIP REPORT 2009 Results for America Business Executives for National Security Business Leaders in Action Results for America Leadership Report 2009 Printed March 2009 1 Joseph E. Robert, Jr., Chairman Bringing business models to our nation’s security To Our Members: www.bens.org Upon assuming the Chairmanship of BENS nearly two years ago, I • laid out an over-arching goal of expanding our reach – deploying the unique skills and perspectives of business executives to tackle new national security challenges while continuing to address issues where we already have a reputation for making positive change. f 202-296-2490 • This report, the first of its kind, summarizes BENS’ work over the past year, from advo- cating smart spending at the Pentagon to innovative disaster response solutions. We are also partnering with others to bring the BENS methodology to address significant chal- lenges such as cyber security and energy. Regardless of where BENS is involved, one thing is clear: There has never been a more opportune time for business executives to p 202-296-2125 help improve America’s security. • Keeping the momentum of our current initiatives while expanding our reach naturally requires resources. I’m proud to note that despite the economy’s difficulties last year, BENS made a strong financial finish in 2008. But as we all know, the economy is still very fragile and likely to pose even greater challenges in 2009. Nevertheless, I’m con- fident that with your involvement and support, BENS will grow and continue to make Washington, DC 20006 significant contributions to our nation’s security. • I hope that in reviewing this report, you will not only be proud of what we have accom- plished in the past year, but also be energized to continue offering your experience and Suite 350 • support in the future. Sincerely, Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Chairman 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 2 General Charles G. Boyd, USAF (Ret) President and CEO Bringing business models to our nation’s security To Our Members: www.bens.org As a member-driven organization, BENS looks to you — talented, • leading executives from every sector — to shape our agenda, guide our projects and seek new opportunities where your business expertise can help build a more secure America. f 202-296-2490 Toward that end, I’m pleased to offer you our first-ever Leadership • Report, summarizing our major activities: recent, ongoing and planned initiatives, their impact on our national security, the places we’ve visited, the leaders we’ve met and our never-ending effort to grow our membership and remain a good steward of our resources. BENS is making a real impact on our nation’s security. Our public-private partnerships p 202-296-2125 • are helping communities across the country respond to disasters. We are working to make deep and lasting improvements to the defense acquisition system. And member exchanges with military leaders are helping soldiers fight terrorists on the battlefield. As you will see in this report, the number of government partners seeking our input is growing. Given the many security challenges facing our nation, there is now, more than ever, recognition of the need for increased private-sector expertise in the national security Washington, DC 20006 realm — expertise only you can provide. • Reading this report, I hope you’ll find new opportunities to serve your country through BENS. After you read it, I hope you’ll share it with colleagues and friends — because the Suite 350 • greatest sources for the new members and new revenue we need to succeed are the profes- sional networks of our members. Sincerely, ChCharlesl GG. BBoydd President and CEO 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 3 Contents Major Initiatives & Impact ................................................................6 Protecting the Homeland ...........................................................6 Reforming the Business of Defense ..........................................10 Confronting New Threats..........................................................12 Shaping National Security Policy..............................................14 All New in 2009 ......................................................................15 BENS on the Road: Troop Visits & Travels ........................................16 4 Meet the Policymakers: Speakers & Special Guests .........................18 Our Members: Our Greatest Strength — and Growing ...................20 Financial Stewardship: Managing our Resources Wisely .................21 Business Executives for National Security .......................................22 Board of Directors ..........................................................................23 Photo Information ...........................................................................24 5 Major Initiatives & Impact Building on a quarter century of service helping to build a more resilient and secure America, BENS members are step- ping forward like never before — offering their unique business expertise and experience to help build a more effective and efficient military, save billions of taxpayer dollars and protect the American homeland. Protecting the Homeland Responding Today — Further burnish- including the delivery of urgently ing BENS’ reputation as a pioneer in needed food, water and supplies. homeland security, the innovative sDemocratic National Convention, public-private partnerships we’ve Denver — The Colorado Emer- championed have become a model gency Preparedness Partnership — for the nation, helping government another BENS-facilitated initiative officials prepare for and respond to — connected dozens of Denver real-life emergencies. In 2008 alone, businesses with local, state and our partnerships made a difference federal officials to help keep the coast-to-coast: city safe, secure and functioning sGeorgia storms — When a devas- smoothly during the DNC tating tornado hit downtown At- in August. lanta in March, the BENS Georgia sCalifornia wildfires — Just one Business Force quickly processed month after Governor Arnold commercial damage assessments Schwarzenegger made them a for- and located commercial property mal part of California’s emergency for a FEMA relief center. management system, the BENS sIowa floods — When historic Bay Area Business Force and floods ravaged Iowa in June, the the Los Angeles-area Homeland Safeguard Iowa Partnership — a Security Advisory Council helped BENS-facilitated initiative — won coordinate the private-sector re- national praise for coordinat- sponse to the Southern California ing the private-sector response, wildfires in November. 6 Preparing for Tomorrow — To ensure taking our leadership to the next level. that their states and communities We continue to crisscross the nation, are prepared for any contingency — sharing our model and facilitating new whether a natural disaster or a terror- initiatives. Going forward, and at the ist attack — member companies and direction of its Board, BENS will use BENS representatives regularly partner our expertise and experience to help with government and military planners states and communities build and sus- to rehearse for a wide range of crises. tain their own partnerships, rather than In 2008, our Kansas City members led building and operating them ourselves. an exercise simulating a pandemic flu outbreak, Los Angeles rehearsed for a In the coming months, each of our tsunami, Georgia practiced responding partnerships will become independent, to a massive hurricane and the BENS with operations managed by regional New Jersey Business Force participated stakeholders. As part of the plan to ex- in a nationwide exercise involving pand community preparedness and re- mass casualties and evacuations. silience, BENS is leading a coalition of experts and organizations to advance a New in 2009: Expanding Our Reach proposed national, independent public — With our homeland security part- benefit organization (PBO) dedicated nerships now a nationally-recognized to developing and sustaining public- model — and with communities private collaboration. The proposal and states across the nation increas- has won broad, enthusiastic support, ingly seeking our support in creating including the expressed interest of the partnerships of their own — we’re new administration. 7 ShapingShapin Homeland Security Policy private-sector involvement is now — GuGuided by our 2007 Business a “core principle.” RespResponseo Task Force report, Getting sProtections for business — Thanks DDownown to Business — with its call in part to the aggressive advocacy for ttheh private sector to be fully in- of BENS members and partners in ttegratedegra into all levels of disaster Georgia and California, governors resresponsep — BENS continues to in both states signed into law leg- tturnurn good ideas into good policy. islation extending “Good Samari- ssA “core” role for the private tan” protections to protect busi- sesector — Following BENS’ input nesses from legal liability when dduringu a review and comment donating support during disasters. pperiod, then-Homeland Secu- sStreamlining disaster assistance rrity Secretary Michael Cher- — At the request of the Federal ttoff unveiled a new national Emergency Management Agency, blueprint for disaster response a BENS team led by Member in January 2008, noting that 8 Ramon Marks is working with the Ensuring Business Continuity — Department of Health and Human Recognizing that safe communities Services to streamline the process depend on strong, secure