"The assembly was fantastic!!!!! There were maybe 50 seats open in the auditorium that was it! He got two standing ovations and the couple questions from the crowd were really good! His speech was fantastic and it was the first time I had ever seen my classmates so quiet. I had multiple teachers, administrators, and classmates, tell me how appreciative they were of out work in bringing him in. I was more than happy with the turnout. From what I understand, this was the largest assembly my school has ever had!"
-Young America's Foundation"Everything was great. What a great event. Attorney General Ashcroft was a pleasure to work with and to hear speak. He was so personable and spoke to everyone he met."
-Association of Oklahoma General Contractors"John Ashcroft did great yesterday! He was engaging, personal and very accommodating to everything that we asked of him. He packed the room (it was standing room only) and I have only heard very good feedback!"
-Gartner Group"Thank you for joining us last Saturday at the Bakersfield Business Conference. Your speech was superb and well received by our audience. We were fortunate indeed to have you on our program. You are truly one of the Best of the Best!"
-The Bakersfield Business Conference"Not only did Mr. Ashcroft give an excellent presentation and answer a host of difficult questions, but he maintained his energy and our interest for 3 hours! We were particularly pleased that he and Mrs. Ashcroft spent time with our guests at dinner yesterday and during breakfast and lunch today and they were so charming they did not make it appear a chore. "
-CSC Consulting"Mr. Ashcroft could not have done a better job. To say he 'wowed' the audience would be an understatement. "
-St. Thomas University School of Law"Ashcroft was excellent. We were so pleased to have him as part of our NCW event last week. Great man, great speaker – I would highly recommend him to anyone."
-Institute for Defense & Government Advancement (IDGA)"I just wanted to once again thank you for obtaining the services of John Ashcroft for us as a speaker. Many people thought his speech on leadership was the best ever. I did not realize that his father was a pastor and all of that fit very well within the context of his remarks as well as our organization."
-Louis J. Grasmick Lumber Company, Inc."The John Ashcroft event went very well. John was energetic and enthusiastic and worked without notes. At the cocktail time the Ashcrofts were very accessible to meeting the audience and having their picture taken. A local magazine covered the photo taking. The Q & A was once again a crowd pleaser. We had many, many compliments on the program and have received several calls today. People have remarked at how accessible and natural he was."
- Naples, Ft. Myers town Hall, Inc."Your insights into the essential qualities of a leader, and the challenges you faced in the wake of 9/11 were fascinating. You have mastered a presentation style that is instructive, engaging, and entertaining. We were particularly grateful that you took the time to learn about the welding fume litigation that is rocking the industry, and share with the membership your suggestions for a defensive strategy."
-Gases and Welding Distribution Association"Mr. Ashcroft was very generous with us. He wanted to do all he could to make it as excellent a meeting as possible. "
-Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan""Very accommodating, funny, warm, connected well with the attendees, had a great sense of humor and a wonderful presentation."
-Gail & Rice"On behalf of the Snack Food Association, thank you for providing our membership with an insider's view of current affairs during SNAXPO 2005 in Hollywood, FL. We especially appreciated your admonition to SFA members to be active and involved in their association as a way to affect change in Washington...The gracious sharing of your time with individual members as well as touring the exhibit floor left a lasting impression on SFA. "
-Snack Food Association"I don't know how to personally thank you for such a wonderful presentation on the Harding campus. From the very time you hit the campus, you went to lunch with my office staff, the meeting you had with the American Studies Institute Board, the Presidential reception, the presentation, your very approachable but professional manner made the day a wonderful one for everybody involved. I feel that Dr. Burks was particularly taken back by your phone call before the event even began with your inquiry as to what Harding was like and how you could best prepare for your visit. That was just in my mind characteristic of the entire experience with you. I have contacted the Harry Walker Agency and said what a wonderful experience we had and have highly recommended you to speak on as many college campuses as they can possibly schedule you for. Thank you once again for a job well done. "
-American Studies InstituteAmerica in the 21st Century
John Ashcroft reflects on principled leadership and the durable integrity of convictions required to make tough decisions. Speaking about lessons learned through service, the great promise of America and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, Attorney General Ashcroft analyzes the issues shaping America's political landscape.
The Future of Homeland Security
Offering strategic perspectives on homeland security, integrity in the Justice Department’s surveillance policies, and other issues currently affecting our nation’s safety, Attorney General Ashcroft discusses how today’s policy will affect your organization tomorrow.
IT Security: Striking a Balance Between Access, Privacy and Usability
Personal and corporate data continues to be compromised at an alarming rate, in part because people are reluctant to use security tools that are too cumbersome to incorporate into their regular routines. Attorney General Ashcroft addresses these concerns and discusses the critical need for innovative security technologies that strike a balance between access, privacy and usability.
As Attorney General, and the U.S. Justice Department’s CEO, Mr. Ashcroft led the world’s largest and foremost international law firm and law enforcement agency—an organization larger than most Fortune 500 companies, with over 122,000 employees. Mr. Ashcroft integrated strategic planning, budgeting and performance measures, which resulted in the DOJ earning a clean audit for the first time in its history. Today, Mr. Ashcroft serves as the Chairman of The Ashcroft Group, LLC which provides compliance advice, legal counsel and consulting services to world-leading clients, including Fortune 500 companies, multi-national corporations and corporate executives.
Mr. Ashcroft boldly led the Department of Justice through the transformational period after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He subsequently reorganized the Department to focus on its number one priority: preventing terrorism. The tough antiterrorism campaign he directed helped keep America safe throughout his tenure and resulted in the dismantling of terrorist cells across America and prevention of over 150 terrorist plots worldwide. His book, Never Again, is a fascinating and probing look at what Mr. Ashcroft believes will ultimately make America safe. He details the dangers to and within America from outside forces, and what he did to repair the serious breaches in our country's security.
Within two months of the attacks, and with financial markets still reeling, the unprecedented corporate scandals at ENRON, WorldCom and dozens more unfolded, further destabilizing the weakened economy. John Ashcroft was called upon to restore America’s faith in the integrity of our marketplace. He marshaled the resources of the federal government to bring to justice those guilty of massive corporate fraud. At all times, he demanded that cases be brought swiftly, with appropriate serious penalties—always taking into account the best interests of the employees and shareholders whose lives were most directly affected.
From 1985 to 1993, as Governor of Missouri, Ashcroft balanced eight consecutive budgets, built a $120 million budget surplus and established a $190 million operating reserve. His management and fiscal integrity helped generate 338,000 new jobs state-wide, a triple-A bond rating from the three major Wall Street rating agencies, a per capita state and local tax burden ranked 49th in the United States and a 12 percent increase in personal income. His new education performance standards led Fortune magazine to name him as one of the nation’s top ten Education Governors. In 1991, the non-partisan National Governors Association voted him Chairman.
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, he brought his management skills to Washington where he authored budget rules protecting Social Security and Medicare and helped balance the federal budget for the first time in decades. As a member of the Senate Judiciary, Foreign Relations and Commerce Committees, he helped to reform laws regulating the telecommunications, aviation, transportation, banking and information technology industries. He received awards from the Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Businessmen for his service in the Senate.
In 1973, Mr. Ashcroft served as Missouri Auditor, followed by two terms as Missouri Attorney General. He was raised in Springfield, Missouri, received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago.