Bob Bennett Chariman, Ohio Republican Party

Denny White Chariman, Ohio Democratic Party

We are honored to be hosting speakers Bob Bennett, Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, and Denny White, Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. Their presentations will be non-partisan and will focus on the organizational, financing, and operating components of the Presidential election campaign throughout the state of Ohio.

There is a possibility, but no promises, that either Bush or Kerry may be in Ohio on the day of our event (Sept. 21), in which case we are encouraging our speakers to bring them to our event. This would not be done to play favorites; rather, it would represent a unique opportunity to learn more about your candidate or to question their opponent!

Bill Boisture President, NetJets

Last October, the former president of Gulfstream Aerospace, Bill Boisture, became the first president of NetJets. Boisture’s career includes top jobs at British Aerospace Corporate Jets, Butler Aviation and SimuFlite Training International. The former U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and fighter pilot was also a vice president with Canadair in the early days of the Challenger business jet program.

Formerly known as Executive Jet, NetJets is a Berkshire Hathaway company which provides fractional aircraft ownership services for Owners in the US, Europe and the Middle East. NetJets sells shares of private jets to businesses and wealthy individuals. Compared with commercial service, fractional programs are attractive because users can fly when and where they want -- without buying and maintaining a jet -- with the comfort and security of knowing everyone on board.

NetJets, which pioneered the concept of fractional ownership in 1986, has its operations center and 1,300 employees in Columbus. It has grown rapidly and has increased its market share to 72 percent.

Andy Geiger

Andy Geiger is completing his 10th year as Director of Athletics at The Ohio State University. His time at Ohio State has been a "Golden Era" for Buckeye athletics, resulting in new facilities, national championships, fiscal stability and academic excellence.

At Ohio State, Geiger faces the daunting challenge of overseeing a program that includes 36 varsity sports, more than 1,000 student-athletes and an annual operating budget that exceeds $80 million (fully self-supporting).

At a time when many schools are considering dropping sports because of budget constraints, Geiger has added three women’s sports – hockey, lacrosse and rowing. He also has assembled one of the premier coaching staffs in America and successfully spearheaded a drive to upgrade the Buckeyes’ aging facilities, including Ohio Stadium, Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Bill Davis Baseball Stadium, Jerome Schottenstein Center, and Younkin Success Center.

The result has been unparalleled success for the Buckeyes, who won the 2002 national championship in football and finished third in the Director’s Cup, which recognizes the best overall athletics program in the country. Under Geiger’s watchful eye, Ohio State’s men’s and women’s teams now qualify for NCAA postseason play on a regular basis. They also have done well in the classroom, where this past year a record 413 student-athletes attended the annual Scholar-Athlete Dinner, which requires a grade point average of 3.00 or better.

Leonard A. Schlesinger

An overview of the transformation of Limited Brands during the last ten years. Follow their evolution from a portfolio of retail concepts to a "family of the world's best fashion brands."

Leonard A. Schlesinger is Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Limited Brands. He also sits on the company’s Board of Directors. In this capacity he is responsible for operational and financial leadership.

A pioneer in the customer service field and a former professor at Harvard Business School, Dr. Schlesinger joined Limited Brands in October 1999 as EVP Organization, Leadership, and Human Resources. Prior to his appointment at Limited Brands, Dr. Schlesinger served as the SVP at Brown University as well as CEO of the Au Bon Pain Bakery. Schlesinger's academic research and writings on management have been widely published. He is the author of nine books, including the best-seller The Service Profit Chain and most recently The Value Profit Chain. He is also responsible for numerous articles and case studies as well as a popular video series.

Founded in 1963 with one women's apparel store in Columbus, Limited Brands through Victoria's Secret, Express, Bath & Body Works, The Limited, The White Barn Candle Co., Aura Science and Henri Bendel, currently operates over 4,000 specialty stores. Fortune magazine recently ranked Limited Brands #1 in "World's Most Admired Companies" in the specialty retail industry.