Bank of Tennessee announces that nationally recognized speaker Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Darling, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), as one of its keynote speakers for the upcoming Be BOLD Leadership Conference. Now in its fourth year, Be BOLD is an exclusive and engaging conference designed for business owners, leaders, and local decision makers that delivers innovative ways to identify and overcome challenges in running and growing a business in Northeast Tennessee.

Keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel Darling will provide an engaging start to the conference with “Real Lessons in Crisis Leadership and Decision Making,” sharing real world tips and leadership advice learned during his extensive military career and experience supporting the President, Vice President and National Security Advisor in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center on September 11, 2001.

Lieutenant Colonel Darling retired from the United States Marine Corps with 20 years of active duty service in October 2007. He flew Cobra attack helicopters in Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the first Gulf War and in Somalia, Africa in support of Operation Restore Hope. In June 1998, he was selected to fly as a presidential pilot with Marine Helicopter Squadron One and in October 2000, he was selected to work for The White House Military Office, Airlift Operations Department. Darling is the author of 24 Hours Inside the President’s Bunker, 9/11/01: The White House.

“We are proud that the Be BOLD Leadership Conference is in its fourth year of supporting Northeast Tennessee’s growing business community by connecting business and community leaders and providing a forum for the sharing of innovative ideas and inspirational success stories,” said Roy Harmon, Chief Executive Officer. “This year, we are honored to welcome keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel Darling to share his experience in leadership and crisis response with our attendees.”

The invitation-only event is free to attend for Bank of Tennessee customers, guests and area business leaders. It will be held Thursday, Sept. 12, from 8 a.m. to noon at The Gregory Center, Milligan College. For information on how to attend, contact your Bank of Tennessee representative.