ICU 1999 Keynote Speakers

Captain Jim Lovell

Captain James Lovell Jr. was chosen in September 1962 for the space program following extensive experience as a naval aviator and test pilot. Lovell executed various commands in the Gemini Mission Program, including serving as backup pilot for the Gemini 4 flight and pilot on the history-making Gemini 7 flight, which saw the first rendezvous of two manned spacecraft in 1965. He was also the backup commander for the Gemini 9 flight and in 1966 he commanded the Gemini 12 spacecraft to successfully conclude the Gemini Program. At the close of the Gemini program, Lovell became command module pilot and navigator for the epic six-day journey on Apollo 8, man's maiden voyage to the moon, during which he and his fellow crewman were the first humans to leave the earth's gravitational influence. He then was backup commander to Neil Armstrong for the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Lovell's fourth and final flight was on the perilous Apollo 13 mission in 1970. As spacecraft commander of the flight, Lovell and his crew successfully modified their lunar module into an effective lifeboat when their cryogenic oxygen system failed. Their emergency activation and operation of the lunar module systems conserved both electrical power and water in sufficient supply to ensure their survival in space and their safe return to Earth.

In 1973, Lovell left the space program to join the Bay-Houston Towing Company. He became president and chief executive officer of Bay-Houston Towing in 1975 and then furthered his corporate experience by joining Fisk Telephone Systems, again as company president. The company was acquired by the Centel Corporation in 1980 and Lovell became executive vice president. Today he is president of Lovell Communications, a business devoted to disseminating information about the Unites States Space Program.

Capt. Lovell's education prepared him for the change from explorer to businessman. He attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated from the United States Naval Academy, the University of Southern California Aviation Safety School and the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program. He has received honorary doctorates from Blackburn University, Mary Hardin-Baylor College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Rockhurst College, Susquehanna University, Washington & Jefferson College, Western Michigan University and William Patterson College. He has garnered an impressive share of honors and awards, including the Harmon, Collier and Goddard Aerospace Trophies, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the French Legion of Honor, NASA Distinguished and Exceptional Service Medals, the Navy Astronaut Wings, two Navy Distinguished Flying Crosses, and most recently, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He is also a fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

Capt. Lovell began hosting Executive Forum, a Nationally syndicated weekend television program in March 1998. As host, he interviews top CEOs and business leaders about their ideas, work practices, and new business trends. In 1994, Lovell and Jeff Kluger wrote Lost Moon, the story of the courageous mission of Apollo 13. In 1995, the film version of the bestseller, Apollo 13, was released to rave reviews. Lovell appeared in several segments of Tom Hanks' From the Earth to the Moon, the HBO documentary miniseries in April 1998.

Pierre Liautaud

Pierre Liautaud's responsibilities as IBM General Manager, Global Electronics Industry,are to represent IBM's IT and e-business leadership to thousands of companies throughout the exciting, dynamic and fast-growing electronics industry.

He has worldwide responsibility for strategy and marketing plans aimed at helping IBM customers in segments such as microelectronics, telecommunications, industrial equipment, consumer electronics products, energy and machinery equipment become more compe titive, efficient and profitable. He does this by helping ensure IBM's most advanced e-business solutions, including Internet and other networking technologies, computers, software, storage and microelectr onics devices, are available to meet the most demanding customer requirements.

Before being named to his present position in January, 1999, Pierre was responsible for coordinating, defining and executing IBM's e-business marketing strategy and leading the marketing effort for IBM's Internet offerings. As vice president of marketing for IBM's Internet Division, Pierre had responsibility for promoting IBM's solutions for messaging and collaboration, electronic commerce and Web servers.

Two years ago, he was named executive assistant to Louis V. Gerstner, chairman and chief executive officer, IBM Corporation. Pierre joined IBM in 1982 after first graduating from Ecole Polytechnique in 1980 and then from Ecole Nationale Superieure des Telecommunications, both in Paris. He held several sales and marketing positions in Europe, including sales executive in IBM's Industrial Sector.

He is married and the father of four children.