The Trade Debate: Beyond The Rhetoric

Presenter: William (Bill) C. Lane, ’75 Accounting, '79 MA, Former Senior Director Global Government & Corporate Affairs at Caterpillar 

Bill is one of the business community’s leading advocates for free trade and global engagement. A 40-year Caterpillar veteran, Bill led a global team of government affairs professionals. In that capacity, he was responsible for Caterpillar’s international advocacy in support of competitiveness, trade liberalization and economic growth. Bill has and continues to hold numerous leadership positions in Washington including helping lead the Atlantic Council's "Why Mexico" effort. He is also President Emeritus of The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, an alliance of 400 companies & NGOs supporting a robust international affairs budget. 

Bill is a 2011 Penn State Alumni Fellow and a member of the Penn State Hammond Society. He was an Adjunct Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University from 2000-2010. Bill received his BS and MA degrees from Penn State and attended the University of Cologne in Germany. 

Hear from this expert lobbyist for free trade in Washington D.C. This alum has led the business community on a wide range of contentious trade issues for the past 30 years. He has worked with Rs and Ds ... Representatives and Senators ... Free Traders and Protectionists ... And key members of four Administrations. Learn why freer trade is important and why companies need to be educate their stakeholders on international commerce. Bill will also focus on five countries - all that start with the letter "C" - that capsulize the opportunities and risks associated with trade. Can you name them? Lastly, expect to hear the latest on Brexit and TPP.