Randy Larsen: Talking About Homeland Security

Biography

Leadership During Troubled Times
From his extensive experience in the military, corporate, and academic & not-for-profit communities, Larsen has achieved unique perspectives and priceless insights on the challenges today’s leaders face. He educates, entertains, and inspires as he talks about leadership during troubled times and the necessity of building more resilient organizations.

This speech is based on the leadership lessons learned by Dr. D.A. Henderson during his 10-years as the leader of the World Health Organization’s smallpox eradication program—what many believe to be the greatest scientific and humanitarian achievement of all-time. These lessons have direct application to all leaders, at all levels in both the private and public sectors. This story is the basis for the forthcoming book, A Good War. You’ll find it entertaining and inspirational with real take-home value.

When Customers Demand Perfection
For two years, Colonel Randy Larsen commanded America’s fleet of VIP aircraft at Andrews AFB, Maryland. He provided a clear and concise vision for the 1,300 people he commanded: “We provide safe, comfortable, reliable air transportation to America’s leaders.” This was a 24/7 operation that routinely had aircrews and planes on six continents in more than a dozen time zones. Larsen shares his thoughts on executive leadership, the challenges of customers who expect perfection every day, team building, motivation, and most of all, an intense focus on safety and quality—insightful, inspiring and entertaining.

Biosecurity in the 21st Century
Biosecurity will change many aspects of our lives in the 21st century. It has three key elements. First, it will be one of the economic dynamos that drives the global economy in the 21st century. The biotechnical revolution will revolutionize economic development as dramatically as the industrial revolution did in the 19th century.  Second, proper investments can leverage this technology to make quantum improvements in both public health and medical care delivery, not only for Americans, but for all people.  Third, there will unfortunately be a dark side to the biotechnical revolution that will include bio-terrorists, bio-hackers, and bio-errors in addition to the naturally-occurring bio-threats we will face. Harnessing the power of the biotechnical revolution can provide America the bio-defenses required for combating both the natural and man-made threats.

Asking the Right Questions About Homeland Security
Colonel Randall Larsen, USAF (Ret), author of Our Own Worst Enemy (Grand Central Publishing, September 2007), and former Chairman, Department of Military Strategy and Operations at the National War College, explains how leaders in both the public and private sectors continue to ask the wrong questions about homeland security. Larsen’s list of wrong questions include: “How do we prevent terrorists from smuggling nuclear weapons into America?” “How do we prevent biological terrorism?” “Why aren’t we preparing our major cities for rapid evacuations?” Colonel Larsen explains why these are the wrong questions, and then identifies the right questions that he has developed from more than 19 years of study in this field. His presentation is filled with insider stories ranging from sobering to hilarious (including the day he smuggled a weapon of mass destruction into a meeting with Vice President Cheney). This speech is jam-packed with take-home value for corporations, local communities, and families.

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Randall Larsen portrait

 
Selected Audiences Young Presidents’ Organization
5-Star Encounter
Pebble Beach, CA

Council on Foreign Relations
Washington, DC

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Symposium on Pandemic Flu for Corporate Executives

Defense Credit Union Council
Spokane, WA

YPO Chapters
Chicago, Cleveland, Wichita, El Paso

Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Boston, MA

Environmental Protection Agency Senior Scientist Workshop
Nashville, TN

International Institute of Strategic Studies
London

German Marshall Fund
Brussels

Foreign Policy Association
New York, NY

American Society for Industrial Security
Arlington, VA

Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
Baltimore, MD

Pittsburgh World Affairs Council
Pittsburgh, PA

Milwaukee World Affairs Council/ Kennan Forum