General Rick Hillier
Former Chief of the Defence Staff for Canadian Forces
Warm, witty and wise, General Rick Hillier is an electric speaker who charges his audience with enthusiasm and is
an ideal choice for any conference. After a long day of presentations and panel discussions as part of our
International Transportation Summit, General Hillier stepped to the podium to deliver an address on Canada's
military role in the world and the men and women who define that role. His personal anecdotes and slide
presentation put a human touch on the Canadian Military and the families that support them. General Hillier
engaged and charmed the crowd, with his fast-paced, information-packed and emotion-filled address. He moved
grown men to tears. Need I say more?
Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association
Born in Newfoundland and Labrador, General Rick Hillier joined the Canadian Forces as soon as he could. Having
enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1973 through the Regular Officer Training Plan program, he graduated from
Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. After completing his armour officer
classification training, he joined his first regiment, the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's) in Petawawa, Ontario.
Subsequently, he served with, and later commanded, the Royal Canadian Dragoons in Canada and Germany.
Throughout his career, General Hillier has had the privilege and pleasure of commanding troops from the platoon to
multi-national formation level within Canada, Europe, Asia and the United States. He has worked as a staff officer in
several headquarters, first at the Army level in Montreal and later at the strategic level in Ottawa.
In 1998 General Hillier was appointed as the first Canadian Deputy Commanding General of III Corps, US Army in Fort
Hood, Texas. In 2000, he took command of NATO's Stabilization Force's (SFOR) Multinational Division (Southwest) in
Bosnia-Herzegovina. In May 2003, General Hillier was appointed as Commander of the Army and subsequently, in
October 2003, he was selected as the Commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in
Kabul, Afghanistan.
General Hillier was promoted to his present rank and assumed duties as the Chief of the Defence Staff on 4 February
2005. He retired from the Canadian Forces in July 2008. General Hillier's first bestselling book,A Soldier First, recounts
his role and experiences within the Canadian military, and his latest bestseller,Leadership Matters, emphasizes the
importance role a great leader can play in the lives of others.
General Hillier enjoys most recreational pursuits but, in particular, runs slowly, plays hockey poorly and golfs not well
at all.
Topic Descriptions for General Rick Hillier
1. Leadership in Tough Times
A talk on leadership in tough times based on lessons learned from the school of hard knocks. Illustrating leadership
lessons through the stories of the men and women who represent our country around the world, supported by their
families, and doing the toughest jobs imaginable. Their leadership, proven and real, can serve to guide leaders in every
A speech may last 60 minutes. Its impact can last forever.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS | LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT | CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENTS
www.speakers.ca 800.333.4453
part of our society, because they have absorbed that leadership is all about people.
2. Celebrity Appearances
Please clickhere for more information.
General Rick Hillier is the author of:
A Soldier First: Bullets, Bureaucrats and the Politics of War
Leadership
A speech may last 60 minutes. Its impact can last forever.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS | LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT | CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENTS
www.speakers.ca 800.333.4453