A thought leader is a business term for an entity or person that is recognized and cited with having innovative ideas and expertise in a given field or industry. In the context of homeland security, we think of thought leadership as formulating ideas and insightful points of view on the issues our country and government faces in trying to accomplish the mission of homeland security, capturing those ideas in multiple formats and sharing those ideas with government and other homeland security partners to enlighten them, engage them in dialogue, influence discussions, and position our member companies and industry representatives as trusted resources.

THE COUNCIL'S THOUGHT LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

The Homeland Security & Defense Business Council's Thought Leadership Committee (TLC) involves the senior leaders of the Council's member companies and serves as the focal point for identifying and analyzing the issues, challenges, and trends that confront the homeland security industry. The goal of the Council's Thought Leadership activities is for industry to build relationships and engage with Administration officials, members of Congress, and other stakeholders in substantive dialogue so that they can share perspectives and exchange ideas on critical issues in a manner that shapes policy, improves organizational processes, solves mission challenges, and strengthens and matures the homeland security enterprise.

The value of the TLC comes from its unique approach to policy. Rather than try to organize industry-wide consensus on issues, the TLC designs programs, briefings, and outreach around the principle that government is better served by hearing multiple and diverse points of view. We encourage programs and initiatives that promote the two-way exchange of information so that industry and government can strategically align their resources and efforts, find best practices, and improve the way they do business together.

The TLC gives guidance and recommendations on priority areas of concentration and helps oversee and coordinate specific initiatives and programs. Members serve as subject matter advisors and help to further define the issues, assess progress, and guide future direction. Thought leadership activities and initiatives are open to all Council members and may include executive briefings and meetings with high level government officials, in-town and out-of-town executive tours, congressional staff briefings, symposiums, and other forms of outreach.

The 2012 Thought Leadership Committee Co-Chairs are:

• Anne Petera, DHS Client Executive, Harris IT Services
• Harvey Johnson, Vice President and General Manager, Federal Civil Solutions - BAE Systems

Executive Briefs
Executive Brief on the SAFETY Act
Executive Brief on Federal Contracting and Procurement


For more information on the work of the Committee and/or to actively engage in one of its workgroups, please contact Krista Sweet, the Council's Director of Policy at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it