AIRA 20th Annual Conference Information

Slade Gorton,
Former US Senator

After spending numerous years representing Washington State in the United States House of Representatives, Attorney General and United States Senate, in 2001 Slade Gorton joined Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, as of counsel. Gorton’s 18 years in the Senate saw him appointed to powerful committee posts, including: Appropriations, Budget, Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Energy and Natural Resources. Slade served as the Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee (1995-2001), the Commerce Subcommittees on Consumer Affairs (1995-99), and Aviation (1999-2000). He was a member of the Republican leadership as counsel to the Majority Leader (1996-2000).

In 2004, Gorton became a member of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (popularly known as the “9/11 Commission”). In November, 2005 Slade was appointed to serve on British Petroleum Refineries Independent Safety Review Panel.

Key Note Speaker: Bradley K. Johnson

Secrets to REI's Top Ten "100 Best Firms to Work For" Ranking

Brad is the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer of REI, the nation’s largest consumer cooperative with over $1 billion in annual sales. REI operates 82 stores in 26 states and its website offers customers the Internet’s largest selection of outdoor merchandise. REI is one of only seven firms that has been on the 100 Best Companies to Work For since the survey was first published. In the most recent listing of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, REI was ranked ninth.

In addition, Brad has worked for a number of other great retailers including Lands’ End, where he was CAO & CFO, J. Jill and Talbots. He serves on the Board of Directors for Wilsons Leather, and The National Forest Foundation. He holds a BA from Utah State University and an MBA from the University of Utah.

Chevis C. Swetman,
President of The Peoples Bank

Mr. Swetman is the third generation Swetman to be elected President of The Peoples Bank, founded in 1896 and headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi. Under his leadership, The Peoples Bank is one of the most successful community banks in the southeast United States. On November 30, 2005, he was honored by the American Banker as a “Community Banker of The Year.” He received his MBA from The University of Southern Mississippi, College of Business Administration, where he is now serving on the Business Advisory Council. He was recently presented the USM College of Business Distinguished Alumnus Award on April 1, 2005.

Mr. Swetman serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Peoples Financial Corporation and The Peoples Bank, Biloxi, Mississippi. In 2000, Mr. Swetman won the Mississippi Community Volunteer Award. He is a past member of the Governor’s Task Force for Economic Development, the past President of the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and past President of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. He is past Chairman of Coast 21 and currently Chairman of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Economic Development Council. Mr. Swetman is a member of the Knight Foundation Advisory Board, Biloxi, MS, and he is serving on the Governor’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal.