February 15, 1999

Contact: Timothy McKernan, (619) 594-2588

 

Noted military advisor to be keynote speakerat SDSU Engineers Banquet

 

Defense industry expert Philip A. Odeen will speak on "Trends in Aerospace Affecting the Workplace of Tomorrow in his keynote address at the Aztec Engineers Banquet hosted by San Diego State University,s College of Engineering on February 25 at the La Jolla Marriott Hotel.

Odeen, executive vice president and general manager of TRW Systems & Information Technology Group, has extensive defense and national security credentials and is a frequent advisor to the military.

"We look forward to hearing Mr. Odeen,s insights on the issues that will impact not only our students and our region, but in fact on the nation and the world," said Pieter Frick, dean of engineering at SDSU.

Secretary of Defense William Cohen appointed Odeen to chair the National Defense Panel in 1997, where he assessed our nation's readiness and ability to meet future defense challenges. In addition to his executive position at TRW, Odeen is currently vice chairman of the Defense Science Board and a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel. He has worked closely with top-level Department of Defense leaders on policies, strategic and tactical systems analysis and programs including battlefield digitization, technical training and simulation and weapons systems integration in the U.S. and foreign military services.

The Department of Energy and other federal agencies and military services have also consulted with Odeen on intelligence matters, including airborne reconnaissance, information processing systems and other projects. Odeen also has served as chairman of the Government Affairs Committee of the Association of Management Consulting Firms and of the World Affairs Council of Washington, which he co-founded.

A former managing partner of Coopers & Lybrand's federal consulting services in Washington, D.C., Odeen has provided solutions for state and local governments as well as the military. In addition to the space and defense industries, TRW provides advanced technology products and services to automotive and information technology markets worldwide. TRW Systems & Information Technology Group, under Odeen,s leadership, has become one of the top ten U.S. integrators and one of the world,s ten largest IT providers, with 1998 sales of nearly $3 billion.

The Aztec Engineers Banquet will be held February 25 at the La Jolla Marriott, 4240 La Jolla Village Drive. A reception begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50; corporate tables of eight can be purchased for $500. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please call 594-7008.

 

 

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