DALLAS, March 19, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- George Group Consulting announced today that Charles J. McLaughlin, Engagement Director in the firm's Fast Innovation practice, was selected as a Regional Finalist for the 2007-2008 White House Fellowships, the nation's most prestigious program for leadership and public service. Founded in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the highly competitive program grants one-year appointments as White House Fellows to outstanding men and women from a broad cross-section of professions. Fellows gain first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal government and participating in educational programs with renowned leaders from the private and public sectors.
"We at George Group applaud and congratulate Charles on this great honor," said Dan Chow, Senior Vice President at George Group and leader of the Fast Innovation practice. "Reaching this level of professional recognition speaks to the exceptional abilities, drive and dedication that he brings to his work. His career, which spans the business, academic and military communities, is distinguished by one remarkable success after another, and we are all looking forward to seeing what Charles will accomplish next."
At George Group, Mr. McLaughlin leads large engagements to help commercial clients in the retail, media, healthcare, defense/aerospace, high technology and financial services industries generate new growth and maximize operational effectiveness. He is also part of the George Group team that works with the firm's government clients, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Joint Forces Command.
Prior to joining George Group, Mr. McLaughlin was a Manager at Innosight, a boutique innovation consultancy founded by Harvard Business School Professor Clayton M. Christensen. Previously, he was a Senior Associate at McKinsey & Company, after serving as Executive Director of Harvard University's 2001 Russian Investment Symposium, the world's largest conference focused on investment in Russia and other post-Soviet states.
Before entering the private sector, Mr. McLaughlin served for 11 years as an officer in the U.S. Army, with experience in Bosnia, Russia, Central Africa, Central Asia and Europe as a Green Beret team leader and Eurasian Foreign Area Specialist. Called back to active duty in 2003, he served as a lead Special Operations planner on the staff of Special Operations Command Central, dividing time between Qatar, Uzbekistan, Iraq and CENTCOM headquarters in Florida. He holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Special Forces, in the U.S. Army Reserve and is currently assigned to the faculty of the US Military Academy at West Point.
Mr. McLaughlin is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Council for Emerging National Security Affairs and the boards of three nonprofit organizations. He has appeared as a national security analyst on national radio and television, and he has published several articles on innovation. He holds an MBA in strategic management from the MIT Sloan School of Management, an M.A. in Russian Regional Studies from Harvard University and a B.S. in International Affairs from West Point.
The White House Fellows Program chooses candidates based on highly selective criteria, including a record of remarkable professional achievement early in one's career, evidence of leadership potential, a proven commitment to public service and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the Federal government. Past recipients of White House Fellowships include Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, United Nations Foundation President and Former U.S. Senator Timothy Wirth, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, U.S. Army General Wesley Clark, U.S. Senator Samuel Brownback and Congressman Joe Barton.
About George Group Consulting
George Group Consulting (www.georgegroup.com) works with Fortune 500 companies and government organizations to develop breakthrough insights that unify strategy and execution, thereby creating lasting shareholder value. The firm's proprietary FAST Innovation approach provides clients with the first strategic and operational framework and tools to accelerate innovation and drive sustained organic growth. George Group is also the recognized authority in the development and deployment of strategies for Conquering Complexity of product or service offerings. The undisputed leader in Lean Six Sigma, the George Group has supported more global Lean Six Sigma operations engagements than any other consulting firm.
George Group is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with teams of consultants based locally around the world to provide services to clients in more than 54 countries.