Marshall Center Talk: Former FBI hostage negotiator to discuss crisis communications

Gary Noesner, founding chief of the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit, Critical Incident Response Group, will discuss “Calm Creative Communications in Crisis” Oct. 6, 4:30 p.m. as part of the Marshall Center Lecture Series.

During his 30-year career with the FBI, Noesner:

•  investigated Middle East hijackings in which American citizens were victimized
•  coordinated the first half of the negotiation effort with David Koresh and the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas, and was involved in cases such as the D.C. Sniper
•  served as chief negotiator and oversaw cases such as terrorist embassy takeovers, prison riots and militia standoffs
•  revamped how negotiation skills are taught

He is the author of “Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator.” In an interview with TIME last year, he discussed the broad applicability of good negotiation skills. 

The talk will be held in Jepson Hall, Room 120. It is free and open to the public. Registration is required and opens two weeks before the event. To register and for parking information, visit jepson.richmond.edu/marshall. Call 804-287-6522 or email sbest@richmond.edu for more information. 

The Jepson School’s John Marshall Center examines the business of government and the shaping of public policy by hosting fellows and speakers and developing curricula and programs primarily focused on the Constitution, political economy, politics and ethical reasoning. The Center is advised by a board of international scholars and leaders, including honorary chair and former prime minister of Great Britain Margaret Thatcher.