Ethics Conference Set for April 14, Director of U.S. Office of Government Ethics to Speak
MELBOURNE, FLA. — The Florida Institute of Technology College of Business Center for Ethics and Leadership will host its Ninth Annual Ethics Conference,
“Ethical Accountability in Today’s Economy: Insights from Government, Business and Academic Leaders,” on Tuesday, April 14. It will be held from 8:30 a.m.
to 3:30 p.m. at Harris Corp., Phillip W. Farmer Customer Briefing Center, in Melbourne.
The conference highlight will be Robert I. Cusick, director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, who will speak from 1 to 2 p.m. Cusick will deliver
the keynote address, “Does National Financial Recovery Require an Ethical Paradigm Shift?”
Cusick was appointed in 2006 by former President George W. Bush to a five-year term to examine ethics laws and policy in the executive branch of the
federal government. The office has the authority to issue formal opinions in ethics matters, to review the ethics programs in all departments of the
federal government, to assist federal agencies in achieving ethical compliance and to work with other nations in treaty matters affecting government
corruption.
Cusick received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville and his law degree from that university’s Brandeis School of Law. He began his
legal career as a Navy JAG officer working first in the headquarters office of the Judge Advocate General and later at sea as the legal officer of the
attack aircraft carrier USS AMERICA.
Dean of the College of Business Robert Niebuhr, Ph.D., will introduce the speakers. The morning will begin with remarks by the Florida Tech Robert L. Long
Professor of Ethics Isabella Bunn and a talk by Anne M. Richardson, director of Member Services for TRACE International Inc. A leading resource in
addressing problems of corruption, this nonprofit organization provides practical anti-bribery compliance solutions for multinational companies.
A morning panel, Educating Future Leaders on Ethical Practices, will be moderated by Roger Manley, Florida Tech professor of business. Panelists include
Robert McNulty of the Center for Business Ethics at Bentley University.
An afternoon panel, Corporate Compliance, will be moderated by John Gronda, vice president, counsel for labor, Employment and Employee Benefits at Harris
Corp. Panelists will include Allan Sullivan and Lee Stapleton of the Miami law firm of Baker & McKenzie and Ms. Richardson.
Additionally, the winning team in the 2009 Florida Tech High School Business Ethics Competition, from Palm Bay High School, will make a presentation in
late morning.
The conference is co-sponsored by Harris Corp. Admission is $25. For more information and to make reservations by April 6, call (321) 674-7327 or send
e-mail to chilcote@fit.edu.