Ex-Hewlett-Packard CEO, former U.S. attorney general to speak at national conference in Charleston

The State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF) announced today that Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, will deliver the opening keynote address at the April 13-14 State Financial Officers national conference in Charleston, S.C.
 
“There is no better person to kick off our spring meeting than Carly Fiorina,” said Derek Kreifels, president of the State Financial Officers Foundation. “To go from a secretary to the first female chief executive officer to lead a Fortune 20 company is an amazing accomplishment.  Fiorina epitomizes the American dream and what is possible with hard work and persistence.”

“We're honored to host treasurers and top thought leaders from around the country right here in Charleston," said South Carolina State Treasurer Curtis M. Loftis Jr. "Charleston is not only rich in history and culture, but also financial and economic opportunities."

SFOF is the nation’s leading conservative foundation committed to bringing together state financial officers with the nation’s top private sector companies and organizations.  SFOF is founded on the belief that state financial officers can and should play a greater role in promoting conservative, and fiscally responsible public policy.
 
“We’re also honored to have former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft as our final keynote," said Kreifels.  "Only in America can the son of a Midwest minister rise in the political ranks to go from serving his home state of Missouri as State Auditor, Attorney General, Governor, U.S. Senator, and then his country as the U.S. Attorney General,” 

"This conference brings state financial officers together with members of the corporate community to discuss some of the nation’s most critical financial issues," said Loftis.  Topics in previous meetings have included pension reform, municipal bankruptcies, 529 college savings programs, unclaimed property, financial literacy, banking and finance regulatory reform, and retirement savings issues.

The two-day conference will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in historic downtown Charleston.
 
“I’m thrilled Treasurer Loftis has agreed to host our meeting in the beautiful city of Charleston," said Kreifels.  "Treasurer Loftis is widely respected among his fellow financial officers for his leadership skills, and for his impressive background in private business."
 
Previous speakers have included former New York Governor George Pataki, Stephen Moore, the Heritage Foundation’s Chief Economist, James Kemp, President of the Jack Kemp Foundation, and John Sugden, pension expert from Standard & Poor's.