Owens Discusses Tough Choices for Tough Times; Caterpillar CEO Among Top Execs at Robinson 2009 Leadership Conference
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Jim Owens,
Chairman and CEO,
Caterpillar Corporation | February 11, 2009 - (ATLANTA) - Caterpillar Corporation Chairman and CEO Jim Owens highlighted a stellar list of speakers at the 2009 Executive Leadership Forum sponsored by Robinson's Center for Global Business Leadership.
The event, held at the College's Executive Education Center in Buckhead, also featured Jerry Wilson, president of the Global McDonald's Division of The Coca Cola Company; Xernona Clayton, Chairman and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation; W. Frank Blount, Chairman and CEO (retired) of Cypress Communications; and Robinson Dean H. Fenwick Huss.
Owens spoke about the tough decisions leaders must face, particularly now in view of the nation's perilous economy. His company, Caterpillar, was forced to lay off 22,000 and he addressed the importance of employee communications at such a critical time. Owens further discussed his opposition to the "Buy American" provision contained in the stimulus package before Congress, a subject he addressed in a recent interview for the TV news magazine 60 Minutes.
Jerry Wilson, author of the book Managing Brand You, spoke on ways to remain positive during the economic downturn. Xernona Clayton, interviewed by business columnist Maria Saporta, relayed leadership principles she learned from her association with the likes of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ted Turner.
Dean Huss and Frank Blount addressed issues facing corporate boards of directors.
The event, which annually attracts some of the nation's top executive leaders, was organized by Jim Senn, director of the Center for Global Business Leadership.
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The largest business school in the South and part of a major research institution, the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, an epicenter of business and a gateway to the world. With programs on four continents and students from 150 countries, the College is both worldwide and world class. Its part-time MBA program is ranked number five in the nation and has been in the top 10 for 13 consecutive years. The College has 200 faculty, 7,400 students and 65,000 alumni. Noted for an emphasis on educating leaders, the Robinson College and Georgia State have produced more of Georgia's top executives with graduate degrees than any other school in the nation.
