Chief of Staff and Special Advisor to the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, Major General Rick Olson, to Speak at World Affairs Council of Orange County Event

Market Wire, June, 2008

The event, hosted by the non-profit organization, the World Affairs Council of Orange County, is scheduled for Thursday, June 26 at the Hilton Costa Mesa Hotel at 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, Ca. 92626. The topic will be "Post Conflict / Crisis Reconstruction." The reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner presentation at 7 p.m. and a Q&A after the speech. The public is invited to attend.

Rick Olson currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Special Advisor to the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. In August 2006, he began one year of service in U.S. Embassy, Baghdad serving as Deputy Director of the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office and Director of the National Coordination Team, which provides guidance and coordinates the activities of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq. Mr. Olson achieved the rank of Major General before retiring from the United States Army in January 2006. Rick has commanded at every level from platoon to division, spending his last three years of service as the Commanding General of the 25th Infantry Division (Light).

Cost: WACOC members $50; non-members $65; students $37. Self-parking is complimentary. For information and reservations, call (949) 253-5751 or visit www.worldaffairscouncil.org .

World Affairs Council of Orange County is a member-driven non-profit organization that hosts forums on international issues and presentations by some of the world's foremost leaders. Past speakers have included: Robert Tuttle, U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James; Kenneth W. Starr, Dean and Professor of Law at Pepperdine University; His Excellency Ronen Sen, India's Ambassador to the United States; H.R. McMaster, 71st Colonel, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; Dr. Hans Blix, Chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, His Royal Highness Prince Andrew and many other well-known people with expertise in various world affairs with respect to political, social and economic issues. The organization also offers study field trips to foreign countries, cultural and educational institutions, and activities that support international education in local schools and universities. The World Affairs Council of Orange County was founded in 1967 and today has more than 500 members.

Contact: Karen Levesque (949) 253-5751 (phone) (949) 253-5752 (fax) Email Contact