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Following the opening session, introductions and
a cocktail reception preceded the ‘LEGEND’S DINNER.”
During dinner guests were treated to a special musical performance
from Soo Yeon Kim, introduced by her teacher Dean Stephen Clapp
of The Julliard School. Soo Yeon is one of the school’s most
prized students in the pre-college division, as well as being accredited
nationally and internationally for her ‘technical perfection
and musical mastery.’
Steve Reinemund |
The keynote dinner speaker, Steve
Reinemund, former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo., addressed
the challenges of “LEADING WELL IN TIMES OF GLOBAL CHANGE.”
Recently retired from an outstanding career, Steve shared his recollections
of life as CEO of PepsiCo. Aside from his own lessons learned, Steve
reminded us of several ways that businesses hold a unique position
of influence to change society for the better. From public health
and wellness to cultural values and diversity, Steve encouraged
us to consider how the corporate world can contribute to each of
these areas.
Eddy Moratin, Steve Reinemund,
and Fred Harburg |
After dinner, Steve returned to
the stage for a time of Question and Answer. Direct questions from
the audience led into a deeper discussion on the importance of diversity
in all facets of a business. Steve also shared about his personal
dedication to the health of the general public, and the challenges
of balancing the professional and personal.
Dirk Junge, Tim Seneff, Jim Seneff,
Rick Scott, Doug Holladay |
Tuesday morning began with a panel
discussion moderated by the Honorable J. Douglas Holladay, Founder
of PathNorth, entitled “LEAVING A LEGACY.” The
panelists included: father and son Tim and Jim Seneff, CNL Financial
Group, Dirk Junge, CEO Pitcairn Trust Company, and
Rick Scott, Founder and former Chairman and CEO of Columbia/HCA;
Chairman and CEO of Richard L. Scott Investments. Dirk began
the discussion with the story of the Pitcairn family. From 1831
to the present, the Pitcairn family has thrived through it’s
transitions. Dirk credits this largely to their commitment to passing
on values with each new generation, rather than simply a name or
a product. Tim Seneff followed with a first-hand account of his
parents’ deliberate planning for their children. Jim shared
on his perspective of being a parent. The Seneff family has put
to practice many guidelines that were both uplifting and challenging
to the ears of parents passing on a legacy. Lastly, as the father
of two daughters, Rick Scott shared about the lessons learned and
practiced in his household. After a short break, the panel resumed
to take questions from the group and engaged in discussion. These
questions ranged from the more practical topics of distributing
wealth in an extended family, to more personal reflection of the
impact that mistakes in one’s career has on one’s children.
Table Discussions |
Dr. Bob Slocum, Alberto Gonzales, Dale Jones, Art Moore |
The next panel session moderated
by Dale Jones, CEO PlayPumps Int., EVP Leadership Development,
Revolution, was entitled, “OVERCOMING LIFE’S TOUGH
CHALLENGES.” Dale started by sharing this quote by Helen Keller,
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.” Dr.
Bob Slocum, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Polatomic
Inc., started the panel by sharing about the challenges dealing
with his son’s illness. Art Moore, former NFL player and
founder of Yes I Can, Inc., shared about his experiences growing
up in a poor household, lessons from his Grandmother, playing in
the NFL, and surviving a near death poisoning by a teammate. The
Honorable Alberto Gonzales, former Attorney General to the United
States, then shared his story of growing up in Texas and eventually
ending up in Washington. He spoke openly about the tough challenges
he has currently found himself going through. Each panelist highlighted
family and faith as strong forces that helped them through the various
trials through which they have gone and now find themselves in.
An open discussion with the group evoked questions such as, “How
is that you can try to become better, not bitter?” “Most
challenges seem to come in chapters and we can move on once they
are closed, but what about when adversities come that seem to become
permanently placed in our lives?”
Bob Johnson |
After the morning’s fascinating
table and group discussions concluded, Bob Johnson, Founder
and CEO of RLJ Companies, Founder and former Chairman and CEO of
BET, shared at the closing luncheon on a “LIFETIME OF
LEADERSHIP.” Bob began by sharing his life story of growing
up with nine siblings. He shared about founding BET and what he
learned from starting this company. Bob highlighted relationships
as the most important tools in business and encouraged the African
American population to rise up to the top executive positions. He
addressed questions from the group that dealt with issues such as
the high school drop out problem specifically among African Americans
and building partners in the non-profit sector. Bob Johnson’s
insightful words were a fitting ending to an extraordinary PathNorth
Gathering.
For more
photos from this event, please click here.
For this
event's agenda, please click here.
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