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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, Speaks at 2010 TREO Annual Luncheon
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The nation's top military officer spoke at the 2010 TREO Annual Luncheon on October 1. Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff headlined the TREO event, speaking to nearly 800 members of the Tucson business community.
Admiral Mullen outlined the challenges and issues facing veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, from multiple deployments to debilitating injuries, while pitching the strengths of these veterans to community business leaders. Mullen noted the extraordinary maturity, experience, discipline and dedication possesed by members of our armed services returning from overseas. These qualities make for valuable, quality, long-term employees, Mullen argued.
The Admiral singled out Tucson's Raytheon Missile Systems, which he visited earlier in the day, as the kind of employer who provides an economically-critical employment base though military expenditures. Raytheon, as well as military installations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Ft. Huachuca Army Base, employ tens of thousands of people in Southern Arizona.
Following his main presentation, Admiral Mullen took questions from the audience in an open forum discussion, moderated by Tucson Electric Power CEO Paul Bonavia. Mullen engaged veterans and business community leaders on topics ranging from current U.S. military strategies, to military looming budget challenges, to the country's changing approach to veteran support.
Prior to the main Luncheon event, the Chairman met privately with members of the TREO Board of Directors and Chairman's Circle, where he advocated strongly for the recognition and reintegration of returning veterans. During this event, Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup presented the Admiral a key to the city.
After the Luncheon, Admiral Mullen held a press conference where he took questions from members of local and national media. Following the press conference he traveled to the University of Arizona, where he hosted a community discussion on campus.
News Coverage:
Arizona Daily Star: Mullen talks to TREO, visits Raytheon, UA |
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