Last night in Waterbury, Connecticut, 350 seats filled with first responders, law enforcement and security professionals, FBI agents, members of the armed services, concerned citizens, educators, professors and students of government, political science, criminal justice and homeland security all gathered to hear James Olson, a "legend in clandestine services" as described by Robert Gates, former Director of Central Intelligence. Mr. Olson, former Chief of Counterintelligence at the United States CIA, delivered Intelligence and the Terrorist Threat: How Far Have We Come Since 9/11?
In a clever, three-part presentation, this spymaster turned master raconteur took his audience to a standing ovation with richly detailed and revealing "off-the-record" remarks, a robust Q&A session and a surprise third component of his time on stage that brought the house down. With great podium presence, James Olson surveyed the nature of the terrorist threat to the United States from abroad and within. With humility, his boyish charm and tremendous sense of humor, he made clear by examples the obscured yet pivotal contribution of intelligence gathering by clandestine agents. He unveiled the exacting and multi-faceted training undergone by operatives of the CIA that prepares them in unimaginable ways for this unique path of public service that is anything but public. Their careers are hidden, inherently dangerous and typically unheralded.
Impressive was how well James Olson knew his audience and seems to understand people in general. His talk was chock-full of vivid anecdotes not only from his time in the field, but also from his own ongoing career and the unique challenges of marriage and parenting while stationed abroad for years under deep cover in service to our national security. Heads were nodding and shaking in the audience throughout his formal talk. His warmth and focus in informal chats before and following his podium time were meaningful to students, practitioners, faculty and a few fellow Cold Warriors who were delighted to reconnect. I can see why James Olson is today a beloved lecturer on the art of espionage at Texas A&M University's Bush School of Government & Public Service. He has my endorsement as one to invite to your firm, school or organization's next distinguished speaker series.
Thanks go to Post University whose student, Ben McKenna, took the lead with support from President Donald Mroz and Professor David Jannetty in hosting James Olson and securing the co-sponsorship of Brass Axe Capital, Crystal Rock, Holy Cross High School, Securitas, Powers Brennan Griffin, Triple Stitch, Post University Student Life and the Waterbury Police, Fire Department and PAL.
Lisa Bernard is the President of SecuritySpeak, LLC, a consulting firm devoted to matters of security and crisis management. Experts in these areas offer briefings, talks and distinguished lectures to audiences of all types working to bring analyses and understanding of security matters to people in all walks of life. (203) 293-4741. www.SecuritySpeak.net.
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