Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell to headline 2012 NACDS Foundation Dinner

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation today announced retired Gen. Colin L. Powell, former U.S. secretary of state and former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, will be the keynote speaker for the 2012 NACDS Foundation Dinner on Nov. 27 in New York City.



“Gen. Colin Powell’s insights as a public servant — as a member of the U.S. Army, a diplomat and a philanthropist — will inspire benefactors and guests at the NACDS Foundation Dinner,” stated NACDS Foundation president Kathleen Jaeger. “We look forward to his reflections on his five decades of global and local leadership, including a second-to-none commitment to education and to our youth.”

 

A highly decorated four-star army general, Powell began his military career following completion of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program near his hometown of Harlem, N.Y. During his 35-year military career, Powell served in high-ranking military and diplomatic capacities across four presidential administrations. He served as National Security Advisor under President Ronald Reagan. He also had the distinction of becoming the youngest officer, first ROTC graduate and first African-American to hold the post of chairman of the joint chiefs of staff for both President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton.

 

Powell served as the 65th secretary of state under President George W. Bush, helping forge alliances and build trust in unstable regions.

 

Powell received many U.S. military awards and decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He also received honorary knighthood bestowed upon him by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.  

 

Powell founded the Colin L. Powell Center for Leadership and Service at his alma mater, the City College of New York, a student-focused program with a mission to develop a new generation of publicly engaged leaders. He also is the founder and chairman emeritus of the America’s Promise Alliance, dedicated to forging an alliance to help children receive fundamental resources to succeed.

 

Powell currently serves on a number of national boards and is the author of two books, including his most recently published book "It Worked for Me."

“We thank our generous benefactors for their support of the work of the NACDS Foundation,” Jaeger stated. “This annual dinner is an important opportunity to present highly relevant insights on an evening that celebrates the NACDS Foundation’s highly relevant work to advance public health.”