NEWS

2007 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN COLORADO SPRINGS - 11/01/07

Frank Hanna, CEO of Hanna Capital LLC., and one of the featured profiles in The Call of the Entrepreneur spoke to attendees after viewing the film on Saturday morning.

Alumni brainstormed ways to improve the Council and Alumni Affairs at two separate meetings throughout the weekend.

(l.-r.) John Sweda (E 97), Archana Poddar (I 99) and Trustee John Farley, who also serves on the Board of Visitors for IPJ, explore the Carriage Museum at the Saturday night reception.

Mort Kondracke and Fred Barnes of Fox News' The Beltway Boys share a laugh before their debate at Saturday night's dinner.

In October TFAS supporters, donors, alumni and staff gathered amidst the mountains of Colorado Springs at the five-star Broadmoor hotel to attend the 2007 Leadership Network.

The Leadership Network brings together TFAS alumni and leaders who share a common bond in the organization for a weekend of networking. The event is held each fall in a unique destination.

On Friday, October 12, The TFAS Board of Trustees and Board of Regents met jointly, and the Alumni Council held a strategic planning session. The Leadership Network’s opening luncheon featured a presentation on politics and the economy by Steve Moore from the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal.

In addition to speakers and various meetings, guests had the opportunity to participate in a TFAS golf tournament at The Broadmoor’s world renowned course, as well as visit the U.S. Northern Command Headquarters at Peterson Air force Base where General Victor Renuart Jr. gave a private briefing.

Guests enjoyed the Broadmoor’s distinctive architecture and the art collection at the nearby Penrose House. Built in the late 19th century and initially owned by The Broadmoor’s builder Spencer Penrose, the house is home to several original Toulouse Lautrec paintings. The house served as a beautiful setting for cocktails and dinner on Friday night.

During dinner at the Penrose House, Alumnus James Dougherty (E 07), a junior at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, spoke to the audience about his summer at TFAS. Keynote speaker at the dinner was former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown., who discussed the power of freedom. Brown is president of the University of Colorado.

At breakfast on Saturday, October 13, attendees enjoyed a screening of The Call of the Entrepreneur, a film by the Acton Institute. The film focuses on three men – a farmer, a refugee from China, and an investment banker - who each took great risks to create successful businesses that served the needs of people. One of the entrepreneurs featured in the film, Frank Hanna, spoke to the audience after the screening.

During his speech Hanna, CEO of Hanna Capital LLC, shared his ideas about philanthropy, including how to use our intellectual and financial capital to build a society of virtue.

“At the end of the day, our American species will not survive without virtue,” said Hanna. “I can tell from the short time I’ve been here that that’s part of what TFAS is about. “

TFAS Chairman Randy Teague presented Hanna with the David R. Jones Leadership in Philanthropy award.

On Saturday evening guests attended a cocktail reception at the Carriage Museum on The Broadmoor’s premises. The museum, which showcased old fashioned carriages from 19th and early 20th centuries, served as the setting for alumni, donors and staff to mingle and network.

The reception was followed by dinner where Vice President of Programs Steve Slattery announced the winners of the annual golf tournament that took place earlier that day. Regent Ron Hart (E 81) and Frank Hanna, both Atlanta natives, walked away with the trophy for the annual Governors’ Golf Cup tournament.

Longtime Trustee Bill Hybl was also presented with the David R. Jones Lifetime Service Award during Saturday night's dinner. Hybl has been a member of the Board since 1986 and also serves on the Board of Advisors for IIPES.

Two young Colorado alumni, Micah Redfield (A 07) and Jeff Phillips (E 07) had the chance to speak to the audience about their individual experiences with TFAS from this past summer during the dinner as well. Redfield, a cadet at the Air Force Academy, spoke about his time at AIPES while Phillips, a student at the University of Denver, explained what his time during at ICPES meant to him. 

After dinner Fred Barnes and Mort Kondracke of Fox News’ The Beltway Boys held a full debate about politics and elections in the year to come. "It was really a treat to actually see Mort and Fred debate live, since I am such a fan of their show,” said Desiree Westby (B 02).