February 14

Annual Kirk Englehardt Business Ethics Award and Address:

Three Principles of Good Business: Customer Service, Customer Satisfaction, and Ethical Behavior

Omar Kader, Founder and Chairman, Planning and Learning Technologies (PalTech)

1-2:15 p.m., Library Auditorium (LI 120)

Reception to follow

(Co-Presented with the Woodbury School of Business)

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

http://uvuethicscenter.com/pdfs/kader/large.pdf

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/53412792-79/kader-university-business-uvu.html.csp

Dr. Omar M. Kader, a native of Provo, now living the Northern Virginia, is the recipient of The Excellence in Business Ethics at Utah Valley State University. The award is presented each year to an individual who displays exemplary ethics in their life, both professionally and personally. Kader begin his education after high school by attending Utah Valley University when it was primarily a trade school. From there he graduated from BYU, attended the University of Utah Middle East Center for 2 years and completed a masters and doctorate degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California and returned to work at BYU for 8 years.

Kader left BYU for Washington DC where he worked in Arab-American civil rights and Middle East development then formed PaL-Tech Inc, a government contracting firm that focuses on Training and Technical Assistance. The firm employs more than 240 employees specializing in developing e-learning solutions for various government agencies including: the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Army and Coast Guard among others. His firm received the “Contractor of the Year Award” in 2008 & 2009. “Exemplary ethics demonstrates a sustained commitment to understanding the necessity of integrity and humanity in business pursuits. This individual demonstrates strengthening business ethics through fiscal responsibility, leadership, civic activity and personal example,” said David Keller, Director of UVU’s Center for the Study of Ethics. “We believe that Omar Kader exemplifies the traits necessary to be the Excellence in Business Ethics recipient.”

In addition to Paltech’s core business, Omar focuses on leadership assessment, democracy development and Middle East. “Dr. Kader is one of the foremost authorities in international development in the world today,” Keller said. He served as a member of the U.S. Delegation observing and monitoring democratic elections in:  Morocco, Yemen, Indonesia, Palestine, Pakistan and Afghanistan. He provides expert commentary to news organizations including the BBC, Washington Post and CNN. Dr. Kader also teaches an annual foreign policy seminar on unfolding political and international development issues. In 1993, Dr. Kader inaugurated an internship program at Weber University to mentor college students who have a keen interest in government service and the law. To date, Omar has enabled more than 500 future leaders to experience government first-hand in Washington, D.C. “Dr. Kader studied the impact of terrorism on US Foreign policy. He advocates democracy promotion as the best weapon in the

long war on terrorism. Reducing political violence will require  more nations to embrace democracy and free markets.” said J. Bonner Ritchie, a long time friend a colleague and a visiting professor of business at UVU. “In addition to his outstanding work at Paltech, he is also the Chairman of the Middle East Policy Council in Washington.”

Omar is married to Nancy Stowe Kader of Ogden. They met while attending BYU. They have four successful adult sons. Dr. Nancy Kader is a Bioethicist, Management Consultant and BYU graduate where she studied to become a Registered Nurse. She received her PhD from the University of Maryland in Philosophy and taught courses on ethics and bioethics. As the eighth recipient of the award, Omar joins past awardees Patricia Werhane, endowed chair at DePaul University; BYU-Idaho President Kim Clark; international corporate business developer Joel Peterson; Close to My Heart president and CEO Jeanette Lynton; Orin Woodbury, former president and CEO of Woodbury Corporation; Dr. David Ulrich, President of the strategic business firm RBL and a Business Professor at the University of Michigan; and Tim Stratford, an attorney and prominent business executive.

  The award is named for local businessman Kirk R. Englehardt who died of cancer in 2003. An astute businessman, he was president of Businessman Planning and Investment Research, Inc. for 24 years, specializing in securities and retirement investing. He also served during that time as a lobbyist and spokesperson for the investment industry and testified before the U.S. Congress. Throughout his life he was known for his integrity, wisdom, intellect and commitment to honesty. His wife Elaine, children Rich and Kellie help the Center for the Study of Ethics sponsor this annual lecture in an effort to promote and strengthen awareness in business ethics.

Kader will be presented the award on February 14th at 1 p.m. in the UVU Library Auditorium, LI 120, by UVU President Matthew S. Holland. He will then speak on “Three Principles of Good Business: Customer Service, Customer Satisfaction, and Ethical Behavior.” Following the talk a reception will be held to personally introduce and honor Kader to members of the student body and community. This event is free and open to the public.