Lt. General Russel L. Honoré, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Leadership and preparedness are two of the lessons Lt. General Russel L. Honoré, U.S. Army (Ret.), taught the nation as he led Task Force Katrina recovery efforts in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. A no-nonsense leader who had to make critical decisions during a period of intense pressure, he ultimately restored order and hope to the area.

Nicknamed the “Category 5 General,” Honoré will speak on what he calls the “New Normal,” a world where unpredictability and volatility are ever present. He will demonstrate how “staying left of the disaster” creates business opportunities and maximizes resources.

Lt. General Russel L. Honoré, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Highly awarded and decorated with more than 37 years service in the military, Honoré is an authority on getting things done. His presentation, “See First, Understand First, Act First –– Leadership and Preparedness in the 21st Century,” will inspire attendees to develop the skills they need to develop a culture of leadership and preparedness before the next crisis occurs.

In 2008, Honoré retired from the Army and joined CNN as the emergency preparedness contributor to CNN Worldwide. In June 2009, Simon & Schuster will publish his book, Survival: How a Culture of Preparedness Can Save You and Your Family from Disasters.

Honoré is a native of Lakeland, La. Prior to his Katrina command, he was heavily involved with the Department of Defense, planning and responding to Hurricanes Floyd (1999); Lilli and Isidore (2002), both of which hit the Gulf Coast; Isabel (2003); and Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne (2004). Among his other assignments during his distinguished military career were as Commanding General, First Army; Commanding General, SJFHQ-HLS, U.S. Northern Command; and Commanding General, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea.