Leadership Asheville Forum – April Critical Issues Luncheon
Mindfulness, Public Order, and the Path Forward Through Political Chaos and Upheaval: a former FBI agent’s perspective
Leadership Asheville Forum invites you to an important and timely discussion examining the realities of law enforcement operations, the role of checks and balances, and the distinction between resistance and protest in today’s environment.
Drawing on lessons from his service in the military, federal law enforcement, and international corporate leadership, Ken Wheatley will offer a grounded perspective on the challenges facing institutions and communities alike. His remarks will explore the “ground truth” of law enforcement, the practical tools and techniques used in high-stakes environments, and action steps for navigating a path forward.
Ken Wheatley is a security management consultant and forensic expert witness who previously served as an FBI Special Agent in investigative and undercover operations involving kidnapping, espionage, narcotics, fugitives, and violent criminal apprehensions. He is one of 14 members of the Senior Advisory Group of the FBI’s Domestic Security Alliance Council and also advises the FBI’s Threat Resilience Information Sharing Committee.
In the private sector, Wheatley served for 24 years as Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer for Sony Electronics’ global operations, while also taking on roles as a social impact CEO, entrepreneur, lecturer, and industry leader. He is a former President of the International Security Management Association and served as the U.S. representative on an international maritime standards committee addressing piracy in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
This forum promises to be a candid and thought-provoking conversation about public safety, institutional accountability, and civic order—and what lessons can be applied locally as communities across the country wrestle with these issues.
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
- Location: Country Club of Asheville, 170 Windsor Road
- Time: Food Service begins at 11:30 AM | Program at 12:00 PM
- Cost: $30 for LAF Members | $40 for Non-Members
- RSVP Deadline: Wednesday, April 15 at Noon
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