Camarillo, Calif., Aug. 11, 2011 – The Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSU Channel Islands (CI) will present a series of three speakers beginning Friday, Sept. 9. All three programs include lunch, are free and open to the public. The fall series will focus on the theme: Meet the CEOs: Learn about issues facing these business and government organizations.

Speaking on Sept. 9 from 12 to 2 p.m. in Malibu Hall 100 on the CI campus will be Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc. (Carl’s Jr., Green Burrito, Hardee’s, and La Salsa). The Company currently owns or franchises 3,150 restaurants in the United States and 20 foreign countries, generates $1.4 billion in annual revenue, and with its franchises, employs over 72,000 people in the U.S. In 2010, the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association awarded Puzder with the Food Service Operator of the Year Silver Plate Award in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the food service industry. He recently co-wrote the book Job Creation: How It Really Works and Why Government Doesn’t Understand It.

The second in the series will be held on Friday, Oct. 28 from 12 to 2 p.m. in Malibu Hall 100 on the CI campus and will feature Michael Powers, County Executive Officer for the County of Ventura since April 2011. In this role, Powers oversees a budget of $1.7 billion and over 8,000 employees in 25 agencies and departments. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Powers was the director of the Health Care Agency where he oversaw the operation and management of the County’s health department.

The third program will be held Friday, Dec. 2, from 12 to 2 p.m. in Salon A on the CI campus and will feature Thomas P. Smith, Chairman of the Board and co-founder of TASER International. As a founder of the world’s leading manufacturer of electronic control devices, Smith is credited with founding a start-up company of seven employees in 1993 to one with more than 350 employees that manufacturers and innovates technology used by more than 16,200 international, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and the U.S. military.

Dr. William P. Cordeiro, Director of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics, said, “We appreciate the commitment of these very busy community leaders to come to our campus to share their valuable insights concerning current issues with our students and members of the CI community.”

The programs are sponsored by the Business Advisory Council of the MVS School of Business & Economics. Please RSVP by visiting http://business.csuci.edu/events.htm. For additional information contact Merissa Stith, Events Coordinator, at 805-437-8548 or merissa.stith@csuci.edu.

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About California State University Channel Islands

CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.