The General Hugh Shelton Leadership Forum is an annual seminar series that focuses attention on the importance of leadership development. The Forum is a program offering of the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Initiative administered by the NC State University Office of Extension, Engagement, and Economic Development. As Executive Director, General Shelton is committed to developing values-based leadership skills to enhance corporate, government, education, non-profit, and youth development organizations.

The Honorable William S. Cohen

Secretary Cohen is the chairman and CEO of The Cohen Group, a strategic business consulting firm based in Washington, DC, which assists multinational clients from all sectors of the economy to develop and implement strategic plans identify and pursue business opportunities, identify and manage risks, and overcome problems in quickly changing markets around the world. The Cohen Group has a strategic alliance with DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary, the world's second largest law firm.

William S. Cohen served as the 20th U.S. Secretary of Defense, from January 1997 to January 2001, where he oversaw the largest organization in the U.S. with a budget of $300 billion and three million military and civilian personnel. As Defense Secretary, he was responsible for: reversing a decade-and-a-half of continuous decline in the defense budget and the defense procurement budget which he increased by nearly 50%; the largest military pay raise in a generation; and adoption of electronic commerce and other best business practices in the defense department. In addition, under his leadership, the United States Military conducted the largest air warfare campaign (Bosnia/Kosovo) since World War II and conducted other military operations on every continent.

Suzanne M. Burns

Ms. Burns is the Vice President and General Manager for Eaton Corporation’s global power quality business serving healthcare, IT and telephony markets. She was nominated to Wall Street Journal’s 2005 Top 50 Women to Watch, named International Executive of the Year by Women in International Trade and Woman of Professional Excellence by the YWCA.

Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr.

Mr. Zelnak is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. In 1994 Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. became a publicly traded corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with Mr. Zelnak as President and CEO. Mr. Zelnak was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1997.