Gorbachev to headline speaker series

Published 9:41 am Monday, September 18, 2006

By Staff
BENTON HARBOR – The lineup for the 2006-2007 speaker series was announced Thursday by The Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan President Michael Cook.
This year's list of renowned guests includes the first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Hewlett-Packard's former chairman and CEO Carly Fiorina, CBS News anchor for "Face the Nation" Bob Schieffer, medical researcher and best-selling author Dean Ornish, past president of the former Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a leading 2008 presidential candidate.
The Economic Club opens its 64th speakers series on Monday, Oct. 2, with Ridge.
Members-only meetings take place at the Mendel Center for Arts and Technology, Lake Michigan College.
Ridge served in the newly formed Cabinet post from 2003-2005.
With his guidance, the 180,000-member department strengthened borders, devised new intelligence analysis and infrastructure protection and created a comprehensive response and recovery division.
Ridge will describe the challenges America and the world face in confronting the critical intersection of security and prosperity in the 21st Century.
He will also outline how countries, governments, organizations and businesses are threatened by international terrorism and how they best can meet those threats.
Next is Fiorina on Thursday, Nov. 2.
For six consecutive years, Fiorina ranked as the most powerful woman in business by Fortune magazine and as of 2005 remained among the top 10 most powerful women in the world.
She determinedly brought HP back to its innovation roots and spearheaded the controversial, but now lauded, merger of HP with Compaq Computer Corp.
In her talk, Fiorina will share from her wealth of knowledge about leadership; how women can thrive in business; and the role technology will continue to play in shaping our world.
Nov. 30 the club hosts Bob Schieffer, CBS News anchor of "Face the Nation" and chief Washington correspondent.
Schieffer is one of a few broadcast or print reporters to have covered all four major beats in the nation's capital – the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department and Capitol Hill.
He has reported for every presidential campaign and has been floor reporter at all the Democratic and Republican National Conventions since 1972.
Schieffer promises to share from his first-hand stories about the people and events that continue to change the world, including "what I couldn't tell you on TV."
After a brief winter break, the club will reconvene Monday, March 19, 2007, to welcome renowned medical researcher Dr. Dean Ornish.
Dr. Ornish has directed clinical research demonstrating, for the first time, that comprehensive lifestyle changes may begin to reverse even severe coronary heart disease without drugs or surgery and may affect the progression of prostate cancer.
As founder, director and president of Preventive Medicine Research Institute and clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, this best-selling non-fiction author has dedicated his career to improving Americans' health.
He will offer lifestyle advice to club members that could change not only their health, but also the health of area communities.
The club is honored to have one of its most distinguished guests, Mikhail Gorbachev, return on Tuesday, April 17, 2006. The past president of the former Soviet Union and his late wife, Raisa, first addressed the club 10 years ago.
Then, as now, Gorbachev is considered one of the 20th century's most pivotal leaders. During his Soviet leadership, the 50-year period known as the Cold War came to an end. In its place, Gorbachev's ideas of glasnost and perestroika led to freedom in Eastern Europe and the introduction of democracy in Russia.
His efforts earned him the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize. He comes to present his views on global priorities and peace building in the 21st century.
The date of U.S. Sen. John McCain's visit has not been determined.
However, McCain has promised to address the club in spring 2007.