Date: Oct 31, 2008

Frank G. Zarb School of Business to Host Socratic Panel on Crisis Management

Spontaneous reaction to simulated corporate crisis

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Top corporate leaders will demonstrate the process of effectively responding to a corporate crisis during a Socratic panel on November 18, 2008 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center Theater, Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus.

The panel will consist of experts reacting to a hypothetical corporate crisis, injecting their personal experiences and knowledge. To allow for spontaneous response, the specific topic of discussion will not be revealed to the panelists prior to the event. Dean Salvatore F. Sodano of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business notes, "This conference will present an invaluable opportunity for the Hofstra community, and invited guests, to see first hand how a group of veteran business leaders handle a crisis situation, and the interaction that takes place within the various business disciplines."

Dean Sodano will make opening remarks and introductions. Richard Torrenzano, renowned crisis expert and chief executive of The Torrenzano Group, will begin with a presentation on crisis management.  A Socratic panel discussion will follow. The event will conclude with a synopsis and closing remarks from John Kominicki, president of Long Island Business News.

In the panel discussion conducted by experienced professionals the audience will observe the unique interaction between the different roles within a corporation, the questions asked and the processes employed in crisis management.

Panelists include notables who hold, or have held, senior positions in their organizations:

Socratic Leader: Richard Torrenzano, chief executive officer, The Torrenzano Group


CEO: Richard J. Daly, chief executive officer, Broadridge Financial Solutions

CFO: Robert S. Shapiro, senior vice president and chief financial officer, North Shore - LIJ Health Systems

Independent Director: TBA

Outside Legal Counsel:  William M. Savino, managing partner, Rivkin Radler, LLP

PR Director: Bert Cunningham, former vice president of communications, LIPA

PR Counsel: Edward A. Orgon, president, The Torrenzano Group

Broadcast Journalist: Harvey Nagler, vice president, CBS News, Radio

Print Journalist: David Reich-Hale, editor, Long Island Business News

Wire Service Journalist: John McCorry, executive editor, Bloomberg News

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information please call (516) 463-7146 or visit www.hofstra.edu.

The Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University believes that the best business education provides students with a sound knowledge of their field combined with a broad, well-rounded program of study guided by an experienced faculty committed to excellence.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.