Leadership Lecture Series - 2/3/2000
George Bush
George Bush was elected President of the
Charles Krulak
On the forefront
of our nation's highest priorities for the last 35 years, General Charles C.
Krulak, USMC (Ret), knows what it means to be a leader. He reached the pinnacle
of achievement in 1995 when he assumed the duties as the 31st Commandant of the
United States Marine Corps.
General Krulak has served as Chairman of MBNA Europe since January 2001. Since his military retirement in 1999, he had served as Senior Vice Chairman of MBNA America Bank N.A., the largest independent credit card lender in the world. In addition to credit card lending, the Corporation also manages loans of over $73 Billion and offers insurance and other financial service products.
General Krulak joined MBNA well prepared to take on his new leadership responsibilities in corporate America. During his distinguished U.S. Marine Corps career, he served as a leader at every level within Marine Corps - from infantry platoons to Commander of Marine Forces Pacific (Commanding General FMF Pacific).
General Krulak's management qualifications are without question, as evidenced by his achievements as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and Commanding General Marine Corps Combat Development Command. No stranger to organizational management, he has served as Deputy Director of the White House Military Office and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence, Office of the Secretary of Defense.
In a time when integrity and courage have become rare qualities in our nation's public and private sector leaders, General Krulak is a prominent stand out. Having lead a Marine Corps platoon and a company during two tours of duty in Vietnam and commanded the 2nd Force Service Support Group during the Gulf War, General Krulak is a leader who has been tested in the most severe environments. In a time when going along with the political whim-of-the-day is the key to success in Washington DC, General Krulak, as Commandant, never wavered in upholding the correct course of action in the face of every level of political pressure. In a time when cynicism and apathy run rampant in our nation, General Krulak sets an example for us all, that honor and virtue are a way of life.
General Krulak's decorations and medals include: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star Medal; Bronze Star Medal with combat "V' and two gold stars; and the Purple Heart with gold star.
General Krulak graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964, and holds a master degree in labor relations from George Washington University (1973).
Mary Matalin
Matalin has served in many capacities during her
career, both in government and with the Republican National Committee. She has
hosted television and radio talk shows including Crossfire. Matalin hosted her
own three-hour afternoon radio program on the CBS Talk Radio Network. The Mary
Matalin Show highlighted current events, featured distinguished guests and
listener calls. She has written for various publications including Newsweek and
The Los Angeles Times. Matalin co-authored the best seller All’s Fair: Love,
War, and Running for President with husband, James Carville.
Matalin has been active in politics since college, starting at the grassroots level in local and statewide campaigns in her native Illinois. The Reagan Revolution brought her to Washington, DC where she served the Republican National Committee in the Political Education, Redistricting, and Deputy Chairman offices.
Working for the RNC in 1984, Matalin held the position of Voter Contact Director for the Reagan-Bush Campaign. Following the campaign, she worked in the Public Affairs Office for President Reagan’s Inaugural. As part of the George Bush for President Campaign, she was the Deputy Political Director and Midwest Regional Political Director in the primary and served as National Victory ’88 Director in the general campaign. In 1992, she was named by President Bush as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Political Operations. She most recently served as Assistant to President George W. Bush and as Counselor to the Vice President.