On January 12, CFA Society North Carolina hosted its 21st Outlook Event with keynote speaker Admiral James Stavridis. While this virtual event was a departure from prior in-person Outlook events, Admiral Stavridis’ comments around COVID-19, cyber security attacks and recent unrest at the U.S. Capital provided thoughtful and timely insights in the current environment. In addition to current headlines, the discussion expanded across geopolitical and national security issues and their impact on supply chains and business investing worldwide.
After nearly 10 years at the four-star level as a global combatant commander and senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Admiral Stavridis is currently an Operating Executive at Carlyle Group, focused on advising executives and investment professionals on geopolitical and national security issues. He also served for five years as Dean of the top school of international relations in the United States, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He led the NATO Alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as Supreme Allied Commander with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, counter piracy, and cyber security. He also served as Commander of U.S. Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006-2009. He earned more than 50 medals, including 28 from foreign nations in his 37-year military career.
Earlier in his military career he commanded the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet, winning the Battenberg Cup, as well as a squadron of destroyers and a carrier strike group – all in combat. In 2016, he was vetted for Vice President by Hillary Clinton and subsequently invited to Trump Tower to discuss a cabinet position in the Trump Administration.
Admiral Stavridis earned a PhD in international relations and has published nine books and hundreds of articles in leading journals around the world. His books have sold over 200,000 copies worldwide and have been published in six languages. His 2012 TED talk on global security has over one million views. Admiral Stavridis is a monthly columnist for TIME Magazine and Chief International Security Analyst for NBC News, and has tens of thousands of connections on the social networks.
Andrew Gradus, CFA | Anne Rogers
