Academics

Giorgione asks 'Money or Power?' at Future Summit event Tuesday

Business leader and retired Rear Admiral discusses relationship of both

The Shaping The Future Summit is designed to engage the Penn State community in discussion and interactive programs focused on global issues and leadership scenarios. Credit: Schreyer Honors College / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Money and power. Power and money. Often the two exist hand in hand, but Tuesday, March 24, Michael Giorgione, business leader and Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy (Ret.), will lead a discussion that considers the choice between the two. The presentation and discussion begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Grandfather Clock Lounge in Atherton Hall on the University Park campus of Penn State. The event is free and open to the public.

Giorgione’s presentation about money and power, how the two intertwine and when they are independent, will provoke questions, comments and introspect. He raises questions regarding the selection of money or power, if the absence of money has a power of its own, and if individuals believe they could handle unlimited wealth. Giorgione also will include commentary on the elements of power and leadership.

A guest lecturer in Penn State’s College of Engineering Leadership program, the Presidential Leadership Academy and Smeal College of Business’ Sapphire Program, Giorgione also volunteers his time to work with World Campus and expanding its programs, especially those involving military veterans and their families.

Giorgione retired from the U.S. Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps after 29 years of service. After retirement, he entered private industry and in 2011 founded Leading Leaders, a leadership development and executive coaching firm. His experiences, observations and instruction help leaders grow personally and professionally with the main mission of affecting their performance and their company’s value.

The 1981 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Giorgione has earned several personal decorations including the Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medal and Joint Service Achievement Medal. He was presented with the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal twice and is a five-time recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native earned his master’s degree in civil engineering from Penn State and holds business certificates from Duke University and the University of North Carolina.

Giorgione’s discussion is another event in the 2015 “Shaping the Future: The Power of Money” series with the purpose of engaging the Penn State community in a discussion and programming focused on global issues and leadership scenarios in the next decade. More information on upcoming Future Summit events can be found at http://futuresummit.psu.edu.

Schreyer Honors College promotes academic excellence with integrity, the building of a global perspective and creation of opportunities for leadership and civic engagement. Schreyer Honors Scholars, including Gateway Scholars admitted after their first year of enrollment, total more than 1,800 students at University Park and six Commonwealth campuses. They represent the top two percent of students at Penn State University who perform well academically and lead on campus. 

Michael A. Giorgione, speaking at Tuesday's Future Summit: The Power of Money event, retired as a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy after 29 years of service to his country. Commissioned following his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, Giorgione earned his master's of civil engineering from Penn State and is a frequent lecturer in the College of Engineering Leadership program, the Presidential Leadership Academy and Smeal College of Business. Credit: Leading LeadersAll Rights Reserved.

Last Updated March 24, 2015