Speakers - Geoffrey Connor

William Kramer is founder and president of The Global Challenge Network.

Geoffrey S. Connor is a successful politician, attorney, and entrepreneur. As a former Texas Secretary of State, Connor directed international protocol for America’s largest exporting state, supervised Texas elections and served as the Governor’s liaison on Mexico and border affairs. Connor was the first Secretary of State to use the office to promote Texas business internationally. During Connor’s tenure, Texas overtook California as America’s largest exporting state, exceeding $117 billion annually by his departure in 2004. Connor led more than a dozen international trade missions and hosted more than 100 international delegations in Texas, including heads of state, royalty, ambassadors and high-level governmental ministers. Since his departure from the Secretary of State’s Office at the beginning of 2005, Connor has been active with a number of private sector activities. His continued work with international clients has taken him to Qatar, the UAE, Pakistan, India, Malta, New Zealand and Barbados. He is frequently sought as a speaker on issues of international politics, the global economy, and cross-cultural cooperation. In 2005, Connor cofounded Texas Global with former US Special Envoy to the OIC, Sada Cumber. Texas Global is an international strategic consulting firm that advises clients on government affairs, economic development, and corporate growth. Simultaneously, Connor returned to practicing law with the firm of Jackson Walker, LLP, focusing on business transactions law. Connor has since established his own law office, Connor and Demond, providing immigration and international commercial legal services. Connor cofounded CACH Capital Management, an investment advisory firm offering wealth management and investment advisory services. Prior to his appointment as Secretary of State by Governor Rick Perry, Connor served as Texas Deputy Secretary of State. His previous public service positions include Deputy General Counsel to Governor William P. Clements, Jr., Assistant Commissioner and General Counsel to then Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry and General Counsel for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. His previous legal experience includes three years with the international law and lobby firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld. Connor holds a B.A. from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University) in International Relations and a J.D. from the University of Texas law school. He is board certified in administrative law. Connor also studied abroad at Birkbeck College, University of London. During this time, he served as an analyst for the British Government and was a top aide to the Chairman of the House of Lords Foreign Policy Committee and the Chairman of the Lords Defence Committee.

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