By Illinois Review
Bernard Kerik, New York Times bestselling author and the 40th Commissioner of the New York Police Department – the largest department in the United States, will be the featured speaker at Judson University for the World Leaders Forum Spring Speaker Series Conversations with Mark Vargas on April 9th at Herrick Chapel.
Kerik, one of the most decorated police commissioners in New York City’s history, served under New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and was the police commissioner when two planes flew into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Kerik lost 23 of his officers that day, and between September 15, 2001 and December 31, 2001, he attended over 400 funerals, wakes and memorial services throughout New York. The New York Port Authority Police Department – who worked alongside Kerik’s department, lost an additional 37 officers on September 11th.
The New York City Police Department is the largest in the U.S. with an estimated 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian employees, with an annual budget estimated around $5.4 billion.
New York’s 40th Police Commissioner will join Mark Vargas – host of Conversations with Mark Vargas, for a one-on-one discussion about that fateful day in September; what he remembers most; private, behind-the-scenes conversations as well as lessons learned and personal insights of leadership during a crisis. Kerik will also draw parallels between the terrorist attack on September 11th and the terrorist attack in Israel on October 7th – and what keeps him awake at night as violent threats increase at home and abroad.
Vargas’ 2019 inaugural guest was entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star Mark Cuban, followed by actor, entrepreneur, and inventor Terrence Howard in 2021.
“The World Leaders Forum is honored to host Mr. Kerik as part of the Conversations with Mark Vargas series.” said Judson University President Gene Crume. “Mr. Kerik’s experience with navigating the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City, as well as consulting on security issues around the world will provide a compelling stage for our current global political dynamics.”
“Kerik is an exceptional example of someone who shines during a crisis and given his vantage point of our national security throughout the years, his perspective should be important for each and every one of us to hear,” said Mark Vargas. “There is no timelier conversation to have during these tumultuous times.”
Prior to the NYPD, for close to six years, Kerik served as First Deputy and Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction, overseeing the New York City jail system – including Rikers Island – the largest and most violent jail system in the country at the time.
Kerik also spent ten years working in the Middle East for the ruling families of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. In 2003, he was appointed by the White House as the Interim Minister of the Interior of Iraq following the fall of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Kerik’s service to his community and country has been recognized in more than 100 awards for public and heroic service – including the New York City Police Department’s Medal for Valor and 29 NYPD medals for excellent and meritorious service.
Additionally, Kerik’s been commended for heroism by President Ronald Reagan, he’s received the Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator’s Award; two Distinguished Service Awards from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; The Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and an appointment as Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2020, Kerik served as the lead investigator for President Donald Trump’s legal team, led by Mayor Giuliani, in the aftermath of the 2020 election.
(Shutterstock/File)
From 2007 to 2010, Mark Vargas served as a civilian within the Office of the Secretary of Defense on a special task force in Iraq that specialized in rebuilding Iraq’s war-torn economy by attracting foreign direct investment opportunities and helping to facilitate public-private partnerships to create jobs and drive down terrorist-related activities associated with high unemployment.
In 2009, Vargas was awarded the Secretary of Defense Global War on Terrorism Civilian Service Medal, and in 2010 he was awarded the Under Secretary of Defense Financial Management Team Award for Financial Management Innovations in a Combat Zone. His civilian service at the Pentagon included 14 trips to Baghdad and expanded across two presidential administrations.
Proceeds from this event will fund leadership, entrepreneurship, diversity, and RISE program scholarships for students at Judson University. RISE is an incredibly unique program designed for students with intellectual disabilities.
The Judson University World Leaders Forum event has attracted a diverse group of world leaders as guest speakers, including former U.S. President George W. Bush, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, former Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Queen Noor, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former four-star U.S. Army General David Petraeus.
Beginning at 3:30 pm, VIP ticket purchasers can attend an hors d’oeuvres reception and will have a meet-and-greet photo opportunity with Commissioner Kerik prior to the event. The main event will begin at 5:00 pm at Judson’s Herrick Chapel.
For more information and tickets, please visit here.
