The Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce announced on Monday that General David H. Petraeus, the Commander of the United States Central Command since October 2008, has agreed to be the keynote speaker at their annual meeting in July.Petraeus, 57, who served as the Commanding General of the Multi-National Force in Iraq for 19 months, is credited with changing the tide of the Iraq war by working with Iraqi forces to establish a persistent presence in Iraq's most threatened neighborhoods. He also noted the critical importance of helping Iraq increase its governmental capacity, develop employment programs, and improve daily life for its citizens.
“We are extremely fortunate to be able to bring General David Petraeus to speak at this year’s Annual Meeting,” the chamber's new Chair-elect Pat Vincent-Collawn said. “As a scholar, soldier and leader who has devoted his life to the service of his nation, General Petraeus embodies commitment to duty and sacrifice. We look forward with great excitement to both honoring his accomplishments and learning from his wisdom."
Chamber President Teri cole said the general is a "great example of using strategic leadership during tough times."
“He was able to take a bad situation in Iraq and orchestrate a turn-around - just like many business leaders have had to do over the past year in this challenging economy," Cole said.
In addition to his long list of military awards and decorations, General Petraeus was recognized by the U.S. News and World Report in 2005 as one of America’s 25 Best Leaders, and in 2007 he was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential leaders of the year and one of four runners-up for Time Person of the Year. Most recently, he was selected by Foreign Policy magazine as one of the world’s top 100 public intellectuals and by Esquire magazine as one of the 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century.
For more information, on the July 21st luncheon, and to purchase tickets, visit www.abqchamber.com or call 505-764-3722.
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