February 28, 2006

VCU Student Commons

Commonwealth Ballroom

(907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, Va. 23284)

3:00 – 5:30 pm (with reception to follow)

“The Changing Face of Risk: 

Impact on the Global Business Environment”

The over-arching geopolitical paradigm of the past – the “Cold War” is gone.  World-wide technological and information diffusion has changed our world, and has presented us with never before seen opportunities and challenges.  Both come with significant risks ranging from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, regional conflicts, demographic time-bombs, environmental degradation, potential pandemics, super-empowered “bad-guys” and associated economic and financial risks that could change the global commercial system as we know it today. Utilizing a panel of experts, the VCU 12^th Annual International Business Forum will explore these and other risks and their potential impact on the global business environment in a one-day forum on February 28, 2006.

Panel Members:

Erik R. Peterson - Senior Vice President at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Mr. Peterson’s expertise is in geopolitical and country risk assessment and global strategic planning. As Senior Vice President, he heads the executive education functions of CSIS, where he holds the William A. Schreyer Endowed Chair in Global Analysis. He holds an M.B.A. in International Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.A. in International Law and Economics from the School of Advanced International Studies at the Johns Hopkins University. 

William H. Parrish – VCU Associate Professor, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, and VCU Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Planning Programs. Prior to arriving at VCU, Mr. Parrish served in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as Senior Representative to the FBI. A retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel, he is a graduate of Central Missouri State University, has earned a Masters Degree in International Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Senior Executive Program for International and National Security.

Philip Anderson (Ph.D.) – Vice President Washington Operations– Lucent Technologies – Bell Labs (a multinational firm providing innovative communications networks for world-wide clients).  Mr. Anderson joined Lucent after three years as a senior fellow and director of Homeland Security with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He has advised the White House and the U.S. Congress on national security issues, and was director of Defense and Aerospace Content for Intellibridge Corporation, providing Internet-based intelligence and solutions. He served as a Marine Corps officer for 23 years, holds BS degree from Suffolk University, a Masters of Arts in International Relations from the Budeswehr University, and a Master of Science and Ph.D. degree from George Mason University.

Dr. Lisa G. Kaplowitz – Deputy Commissioner for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Virginia Department of Health (VDH).  In this position since August 2002, Dr. Kaplowitz is responsible for all emergency response plans for the VDH including plans for bioterrorism and others public health emergencies.   She is also responsible public health, health and medical emergency response for the Commonwealth of Virginia and for coordinating emergency response in the National Capital Region (Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC). She has served as adjunct and clinical faculty in public health at VCU and UVA.  Ms. Kaplowitz has a BS degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Health Administration from VCU and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Chicago. 

Jay C. Farrar – Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Head of the Washington D.C. Office of CH2M Hill (a multinational firm providing engineering, security and other services to public and private clients on six continents).  Mr. Farrar is charged with all international, federal, state and local government affairs for CH2M Hill. For five years, he was a Senior VP for External Relations for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and has served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Defense, Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Security Council at the White House, and Legislative Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chefs of Staff.  Mr. Farrar served for over 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and is a graduate of Marquette University and hold a Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University.

For More Information Contact: Dr. Van R. Wood - (804) – 828 - 1746 vrwood@vcu.edu