Randy Larsen: Talking About Homeland Security

Biography

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 13 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.

Corporate Responsibility and Homeland Security
From the Fortune 100s to small businesses, Larsen's message has great appeal and take-home value. He explains how both the private and public sectors have been focused on the wrong questions in the post 9-11 world, and argues that corporations, large and small, must understand that building resilience to man-made and natural threats must be a higher priority than the traditional security focus of buying gates, gun, guards and gadgets. This speech is based on research from his next book: The Investor’s Guide to Homeland Security. The “investors” are stockholders and taxpayers who deserve the best return on their investments—something most are not receiving today.

Safe, Comfortable, Reliable
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 1,000 people he commanded: “We provide safe, comfortable, reliable air transportation to America’s leaders.”  This was a 24/7 operation that routinely had air crews 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.


Coming in May 2008...
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.

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Randall Larsen portrait

 
Introduction
Download an introduction for Randall Larsen here. [PDF]

 
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