Gary Schenkel to speak at SXU's Breakfast with the Experts

Gary Schenkel, executive director of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, will kick off the 2012 Breakfast with the Experts speaker and networking series on Thurs., March 15 at Saint Xavier University. Although the G8 summit was moved to Camp David, there are still heightened security concerns regarding the NATO Summit in Chicago this May. With over 50 heads of state coming to the NATO Summit, Schenkel will share how the city plans to prepare for the historic diplomatic summit in a talk titled "Logistics and Planning for the NATO Summit." Given the rising interest in Chicago’s role in playing host to world leaders, SXU and the Beverly Area Planning Association are pleased to provide a forum surrounding this important event.

The event, jointly sponsored by SXU and BAPA, begins at 7:30 a.m. with a networking breakfast followed by the 8 a.m. keynote address. It will be held in the Butler Reception Room, located in the Warde Academic Center at SXU's Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St. Registration is $20 for the public and $15 for BAPA Members. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to register, contact BAPA at (773) 233-3100 or www.bapa.org.

Schenkel has significant leadership experience in a wide range of areas, including law enforcement, organizational structuring and transformation efforts, security planning for public and private facilities, logistical planning and execution, and business administration. Throughout his career, Schenkel has established excellent relationships and has a clear understanding of the place security holds in the flow of commerce.

Schenkel is also a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Schenkel has years of experience in an emergency management capacity as the director of the Office of the Federal Protective Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and as an assistant federal security director for the Transportation Security Administration at Midway Airport. Additionally, Schenkel has many years of experience working with the Chicago Police Department as the assistant deputy superintendent where he oversaw the recruitment, training and education of officers as well as the deployment of new technology and operational concepts created to fight and reduce crime.

SXU’s Breakfast with the Experts speaker series brings notable business, community and civic leaders together to share insights, experience and industry knowledge with area business people. To suggest a speaker or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please call (773) 298-3748 or email to specialevents@sxu.edu.