Dennis F. Hightower, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, will talk about his view of bringing private sector and HBS principles to the public sector. He will provide a perspective of where the Federal government is today and a roadmap into the future. He will share what strategies work in both the public and private sectors, what surprises he found in Washington DC, and his major initiatives. He will also discuss the public sector as a place for Harvard MBAs as a way to contribute to the country, whether seasoned executives or recent graduates.

For the U.S. Department of Commerce, Deputy Secretary Hightower oversees operations totaling more than $17 billion. These include the 2010 Census, tracking economic data such as GDP, personal income, industry economic indicators, and international balance of payments and trade in goods and services. Commerce also runs the National Oceanic and Atmoshperic Administration (NOAA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Most recently, Mr. Hightower was chief executive officer of Europe Online Networks S.A., a privately held broadband interactive entertainment company based in Luxembourg. From 1987 to 1996, Mr. Hightower was a senior executive of The Walt Disney Company, where he led multi-billion dollar enterprises as president of Walt Disney Television & Telecommunications, and president of Consumer Products, Europe/Middle East and Africa, based in Paris. Earlier in his career, he was a senior associate/engagement manager at McKinsey & Co., and vice president and general manager of GE's lighting business in Mexico.

Mr. Hightower has made a continuing commitment to training future business leaders as a former professor of management at Harvard Business School, where he focused on leadership, building emerging markets and global general management. He has also been a guest lecturer at business schools throughout the world, including IMD in Switzerland, INSEAD in France and the London Business School; and at the U.S. Military Academy (Bicentennial) and the USMA Preparatory School.

Previously, Mr. Hightower has demonstrated a willingness to serve his country as a decorated Vietnam veteran and as a member of the Defense Business Board. Hightower was a Regular Army officer for eight years, rising to the rank of Major by age 27. While on active duty he was awarded numerous decorations for meritorious achievement and valor.

Mr. Hightower holds an M.B.A. degree from the Harvard Business School and a B.S. degree and honorary doctorate from Howard University. He received the Alumni Achievement Award in Business from Howard University in 1986, the Alumni Achievement Award from Harvard Business School in 1992, and the U.S. Department of Commerce Pioneer Award in 1996.

Event Details:

Date:	Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Time:	11:30 - noon:  Registration and Networking Noon - 1:30:    Lunch and Speaker 1:30-2:00:       More Networking
Location:	Capitol Hill Club; 300 First Street, SE Washington DC 20003  (202) 484-4590
Metro:	South Capitol Metro
Parking:	Limited Street Parking
Register:

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