Latest News
March 5, 2012
Applications for the NAMUN 2013 Secretariat are now available here.
_____
February 24, 2012
NAMUN XXVII closes another great year. Thank you to all staff and delegates who participated!
_____
February 22, 2012
The Wednesday Edition of The Diplomat is now available online! Printed copies will be available in the afternoon.
_____
February 21, 2012
NAMUN XXVII
University of Toronto
Conference Schedule available here.
_____
January 31, 2012
Background guides for committees have been posted.
_____
Blackwater Board of Directors
Delegates are expected to write a position paper outlining their respective country's or character's position with respect to their committee topics. This should be a minimum 500 word paper (not exceeding 1500 words) outlining the relevance of their country/character in the committee. Delegates must send this paper prior to February 20th to the President of the committee.
Ammar Keshodia, President of the General Assembly: ammar.keshodia@namun.org
Liam Salichuk, President of Special Committees: liam.salichuk@namun.org
Patrick Langille, President of the Historical Council: patrick.langille@namun.org
Erik Prince: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
As founder of one of the world’s most infamous mercenary companies, Prince has received much criticism at the hands of the public and politicians. A former Navy SEAL, Prince learned much about the art of war and business from his time in the armed forces. He formed Blackwater in 1997 after the selling of his father’s company, and went on to receive no-bid government contracts to provide bodyguards for American diplomats.
He is as much of an enigma as his private military corporation, working both to further private involvement in the government and his own humanitarian projects. As Chief Executive Officer, Prince allows most of the daily running of the company to be done by his Vice Presidents and Managers, while dealing mostly with clients and the American government himself.
Joseph Schmitz: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
A career government bureaucrat, Schmitz has always been gifted with unrivaled business skills. Having resigned from the Federal Government to take a job on the Blackwater Board of Directors, Schmitz brings a wealth of government knowledge to the company. As such, he is an integral part of Blackwater in its’ dealings with the government. As COO, he reports to the board of Directors on matters that directly involve the daily operation of the company.
Cofer Black: Vice Chairman
Considered an expert in counterterrorism and intelligence, Black took the job at Blackwater to assist the company and help them confront the threat of terrorism in Iraq. A classic ‘hardliner’ Black has used his position within the company to expose illegalities such as bribery, exploitation of funds and company resources. He interprets his position on the Board of Directors as being second in charge, and often comes into conflict with the COO, Joseph Schmitz. There is no clear order of succession established by the CEO to absolve this issue, leading to tensions within the company.
Richard Pere: Manager, Aviation Worldwide Services (AWS)
Pere maintains a low public profile while continuing to operate AWS which was obtained by Blackwater in 2003. He has been crucial in obtained government contracts to use AWS as a transport for government personnel both overseas and at home. As such, his division of Blackwater is considered one of the most profitable, solidifying his position on the Board of Directors. He is seen as hostile towards opinions he does not favour, and rarely will ever admit that he is wrong. While this attitude has led to tensions on the Board, he maintains it is the most effective way to do business.
Robert Richer: Vice President for Intelligence
A former associate director of the CIA, Richer came to Blackwater after a fallout with the agency, and his lack of faith in the government operation. Given the crucial lead position of intelligence gathering, Richer reports to the Board on everything from operational logistics to quarterly budget reports. He thoroughly enjoys the aspects of his job which allow him to work as far away from the Board of Directors as possible, as they remind him of the same government heads he sought to remove himself from after leaving the CIA.
Kenneth Starr: Legal Counsel
Kenneth Starr is retained as chief legal aid to Blackwater to assist them in matters of dealing with the American Government and the eventual problems that arise therewith. A former Circuit Judge, Starr has had close to 40 years of legal experience, and brings an air of superiority and seniority to the company. While not technically a member of the Board of Directors as he is not an executive within the company, Starr has been invited to sit on the Board by CEO Erik Prince. The actions of Starr will be crucial in dealing with any crises that might arise in this tumultuous time.
Karen Jones: Vice President for Export Compliance
Overseeing the newest branch of Blackwater operations, Jones is a career trade official with experience working for numerous top companies including Lockheed Martin. She is responsible for ensuring the Board of Directors act within both Federal and International laws to provide the American Government with a product that will not be seen as controversial by critics. Her new post is already essential to the company, but she will find that not all the other executives on the Board are willing to cooperate with her in the investigating she will need to do.
Gary Jackson: Vice President for Risk Analysis
With Blackwater since the very beginning of company operations, Jackson has assumed many different executive positions, and was once considered a frontrunner for succession to CEO Erick Prince. His current portfolio has him dealing with Blackwater operatives on the ground in Iraq, an incredibly complicated position as he must alert the Board to the controversies and problems engulfing the company on the ground. While he is received amiably by Prince, other board members Cofer Black and Joseph Schmitz often attempt to discount his credibility, leading to tensions on the Board. While his position is crucial to the company, he is increasingly becoming aware that he is not.