The EMC Business Forum and the Chairmen's Roundtable collaborated to co-host the Open Forum held on May 21, 2009 at the Mission Valley Marriott in San Diego, California. The keynote speaker was the honorable Colonel H.R. McMaster. Speaking from his knowledge and experience in the US Army and his leadership skills, Colonel McMaster delivered one of the most compelling and pertinent presentations to date. Nothing but rave reviews flooded in after he was through and the EMC Business Forum and Chairmen's Roundtable are grateful for his time and commitment to this event. The event was moderated by George Chamberlin, Executive Editor of the San Diego Daily Transcript.

Colonel H.R. McMaster's biography:

Colonel McMaster is Director of Concept Development and Experimentation at the Army Capabilities Integration Center, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Previously he was assigned to U.S. Central Command with duty at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. While assigned to London, he served as special assistant to Commander, Multinational Force - Iraq and directed several assessments and planning efforts in Baghdad.

McMaster was commissioned upon graduation from West Point in 1984. He holds a PhD in military history from the University of North Carolina. His military education includes a U.S. Army War College Fellowship at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace. From May 2003 to May 2004 he was Director, Commander’s Advisory Group at Central Command. He taught military history at West Point from 1994 to 1996.

McMaster also authored a book entitled Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies that Led to Vietnam. He has written numerous articles and essays on national security affairs and military history.