Retired Gen. Michael Hayden

ARLINGTON, Va. — Retired four-star general and former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency Michael Hayden will address the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Total Store Expo (TSE) on Sunday, August 26, in Denver as the keynote speaker during the event’s Business Program.

At the session, Hayden will provide the audience with a glimpse into his extraordinary understanding of national security issues, international conflicts and relations, and the current political climate and the consequences of it, NACDS said.

During his career, Hayden served as director of the Joint Command and Control Warfare Center, the commander of the Air Intelligence Agency, and the first principal deputy director of National Intelligence. He has also served in senior staff positions at the Pentagon and the National Security Council and was the deputy chief of staff for the United Nations Command and U.S. Forces in South Korea.

“It is a tremendous privilege to have Gen. Hayden speak at the NACDS Total Store Expo,” said NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson. “Gen. Hayden addressed the 2010 NACDS Annual Meeting and the audience thoroughly appreciated and benefitted from the insights he provided at that event. As the director of the National Security Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency during particularly challenging times in our country’s history, he is highly experienced at dealing with complex security issues and with one of the topics on the minds of industry leaders today: change. It will certainly be an honor to welcome him back.”

Former White House press secretary for President Obama and noted political commentator Josh Earnest will also speak at TSE during the NACDS Political Involvement Reception. Earnest, respected by Washington insiders in both parties, is known for his sharp wit and candid observations on politics, honed during his years in the West Wing. Earnest is a sought-after commentator, trusted for his ability to provide a measured read on the key issues of the day confronting lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Earnest is currently the chief communications officer of United Airlines.