2013 Keynote Speakers

MISSOURI GOVERNOR BOB HOLDEN
Saturday, June 15, 2013

Following Opening Night Ceremonies of the 74th session of Missouri Boys State former Missouri Governer Bob Holden will deliver the keynote address at a special assembly in Hendricks Hall. Bob has been a long time friend of Missouri Boys State. He has volunteered with the program for 27 years and serves on the Board of Directors. Governor Holden is chairman of The Holden Group, LLC, where he advises public and private sector clients on business development and international trade strategies. He also serves as the Chairman of the new Midwest U.S.-China Association (MWCA) where he works with all Midwestern governors to improve economic cooperation and stimulate business growth between the Midwestern states and China. Additionally, he leads the Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University. As a visiting professor, Governor Holden lectures on public policy and leadership throughout the worldwide Webster campus network. Governor Holden is also a member of the Chicago Gloval Council on Immigratio Reform and a board member for the Missouri Energy Initiative. Following his prepared remarks, Governor Holden will hold a question and answer session.

KANSAS CITY MAYOR SLY JAMES
Sunday, June 16, 2013

Kansas City Mayor Sly James will deliver a keynote address at a special assembly on Sunday evening in Hendricks Hall. This is Mayor James' second visit to the Boys State program and he will provide a candid and entertaining discussion of the issues facing elected officials at the city level. We are very pleased to have him as part of the program again this year. The Mayor will hold a question and answer session following his prepared remarks. Sly attended Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City, graduating in 1969. While there, Sly was the president of his junior class. During his 26-year legal career, Sly developed a proven record of success as a leader, an effective coalition builder, and a fierce advocate. He joined Blackwell, Sanders, Matheny, Weary & Lombardi in 1983, and became the first African-American partner in the firm’s history in 1990.

MISSOURI STATE TREASURER CLINT ZWEIFEL
Monday, June 17, 2012

Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel will deliver the keynote address at a special assembly on Monday evening in Hendricks Hall. We are very pleased to have Treasurer Zweifel at Boys State for the second time this year. Treasurer Zweifel grew up in nearby Florissant. He graduated from Hazelwood West High School in 1992. Treasurer Zweifel was the first member of his family to attend college. He graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1996. In 2001, he graduated from UMSL with a Master of Business Administration The Treasurer will hold a question and answer session following his prepared remarks. Prior to serving as State Treasurer, Zweifel represented the 78th District in the Missouri House of Representatives for six years. His district covered parts of northwest St. Louis County, including parts of Bridgeton, Florissant and Hazelwood.

JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR BOB WOODWARD
Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Bob Woodward will accept the 25th Annual George W. Lehr Memorial Speakers Chair on Tuesday night at Hendricks Hall. Woodward is regarded as one of America’s preeminent investigative reporters and non-fiction authors. He has worked for The Washington Post since 1971 as a reporter, and is currently an associate editor of the Post. While a young reporter for The Washington Post in 1972, Woodward was teamed up with Carl Bernstein;  the two did much, but not all, of the original news reporting on the Watergate scandal that led to numerous government investigations and the eventual resignation of President Richard Nixon. Woodward has authored or coauthored 16 non-fiction books in the last 36 years. All 16 have been national bestsellers and 12 of them have been #1 national non-fiction bestsellers to include the 1974 classic All the President's Men that he wrote with Bernstein.

SECRETARY OF STATE JASON KANDER
Thursday, June 20, 2013

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander will announce the MBS State Election results on Thursday afternoon at the UCM Multipurpose Building. Jason Kander, 32, was sworn in as Missouri's 39th Secretary of State in January 2013. A former U.S. Army Captain, Jason is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Prior to his election as Secretary of State, he practiced law, represented Kansas City in the Missouri General Assembly, and served on the Missouri Veterans Commission. He is a graduate of American University and Georgetown Law School and is married to his high school sweetheart, Diana. He is America's youngest statewide elected official.

STATE AUDITOR TOM SCHWEICH
Thursday, June 20, 2013

Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich will deliver the keynote address at a special assembly on Thursday evening in Hendricks Hall. He will also swear in the newly elected state officials. State Auditor Tom Schweich is a fifth-generation Missourian and a graduate of St. Louis County Public Schools, Yale, and Harvard Law School. Schweich began his professional career at the law firm of Bryan Cave LLP, where he has practiced law for over 20 years, focusing on government contracts, corporate internal investigations and audits, litigation, and commercial disputes. From 2007 – 2008 Schweich served as the US Coordinator for Counternarcotics and Justice Reform in Afghanistan. In March 2007, President Bush accorded Schweich the personal rank of Ambassador. In Afghanistan Schweich’s work helped curtail the opium production across the country and rebuild the country’s legal infrastructure and law enforcement bodies.

WHITE HOUSE FELLOW AND NAVY SEAL COMMANDER ERIC GREITENS
Friday, June 21, 2013

White House Fellow, Navy Seal Commander and Rhodes Scholar Eric Greitens will speak to MBS participants on Friday at Hendricks Hall. One of the most accomplished Boys Staters in recent memory, Greitens will share his extraordinary career with Boys Staters in a special assembly. Greitens returned from his last tour of duty in Iraq in 2007. As an award-winning humanitarian leader, Eric has traveled to many war and crisis torn countries to reveal not only the hardship of the people, but also their strength and compassion. Following his prepared remarks he will hold a question and answer session.

DEMOCRACY IN ACTION AND FINAL AWARDS CEREMONY
Saturday, June 22, 2013 (8:00-10:30 AM)

All phases of Boys State government will be functioning for parents, teachers and other visitors. The announcement of the winners of various competitions and awards presentations immediately follow Democracy in Action.

CURRENT as of 6/13/2013