National security expert Wilhelm speaks at Trine

September 11, 2015

Wilhelm

SEPT. 11 -- National security expert Richard J. Wilhelm, senior executive advisor for Booz Allen Hamilton, fielded questions ranging from national security to Edward Snowden to leadership during Trine University's Distinguished Speaker Series this morning.

Students and community members filled the lower level of Ryan Concert Hall and overflowed into the balcony to hear Wilhelm talk with Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine president.

Wilhelm previously led business activities supporting U.S. intelligence agencies as an executive vice president at Booz Allen. Prior to joining Booz Allen, Wilhelm spent 29 years with the federal government as a military intelligence officer and civilian appointee. His government career includes a position as executive director for intelligence community affairs during the Clinton administration and service on vice president Al Gore’s national security staff.

"America is not always exceptional in its practices but it is exceptional in its promises," Wilhelm said when discussing national security. "Many underestimate America's values ... but you don't see lots of people wanting to emigrate to Russia and China."

Here a few highlights from the discussion:

On the state of national security since the terror attacks Sept. 11, 2001."It's a lot better but so are they," Wilhelm said of terror groups. "They watch us, they're smart, they see what's going on."

The U.S. will never be perfectly secure, but people are more conscientious. ... The Department of Homeland Security was organized and is a typical government response; the 22 agencies within Homeland Security do not always work as smoothly as most would wish. ... The intelligence community is far better and has gotten inside many of these terrorist organizations. ... Terror groups have metastasized with big variety and huge unknowns ... they hide in plain sight.

On the qualities of effective leaders
Leaders should have a desire to be there, be disciplined, have a sense of curiosity and be reasonably warm and personable with an ability to connect with people at all levels.

On Edward Snowden, leaker of U.S. surveillance
Snowden was employed by Booz Allen, the same company Wilhelm serves. "The excessive secrecy ... worked against us and created an opportunity for Snowden," he said. Americans like what they get from surveillance but they might not like what they hear about what goes on behind the scenes, he said.

During his discussion of national security, Wilhelm said engineers interested in the intelligence community "won't find any more challenging or interesting work" than intelligence. "World-class mathematicians make a lot of money ... the key to breaking codes is math; encryption analysis and breaking codes are make problems."

Before Wilhelm spoke, Trine's Air Force ROTC presented the U.S. flag and the University Choir performed "God Bless America" under the direction of Mark Kays. Then, a moment of silence was observed for the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Photo: Trine president Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., left, and national security expert Richard J. Wilhelm discussed national security, Edward Snowden and the qualities of effective leaders among other topics. Photo by Dean Orewiler, multimedia specialist

News Information

Read More

All News
Dr. Brooks and Kathy Eikenberry with the Woman of Distinction Award

Trine honors Kathy Eikenberry as Woman of Distinction

October 7, 2025

Trine University honored Kathy Eikenberry, known along with her husband Mike for her service and philanthropy throughout the Greater Fort Wayne area, with its annual Woman of Distinction Award during the university’s annual Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on Oct. 3.

1/3
Dr. Brooks, Dr. James, Dr. Furth and Ema Furth

Trine honors Dr. Tomas Furth as trustee emeritus

October 7, 2025

Trine University honored alumnus Dr. Tomas Furth, namesake of the university’s T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, as trustee emeritus during its annual Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on Friday, Oct. 3.

2/3
Dr. Brooks and Rick Henvey, Pillar of Success

Trine names Henvey as Pillar of Success

October 7, 2025

Rick Henvey, chief executive officer for Parkview Health, was named Trine University’s Pillar of Success during the university’s Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on Oct. 3.

3/3