Dr. Ira Blatstein teaches courses in strategic planning, change management, and leadership; as well as consulting on strategic planning and national security issues relating to his DoD (Department of Defense) experience. He is the recipient of several awards, including two SES (USA Government‘s Senior Executive Service) awards, the USA's Presidential Rank Meritorious Award, and the Presidential Rank Distinguished Award.

Dr. Blatstein joined The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in 1999 and later became Director of Strategic Planning. In November, 2009, Dr. Blatstein accepted a full time position as assistant professor in the Division of Public Safety Leadership. Previously, Dr. Blatstein was selected as the first Technical Director of USA ‘s Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC). Before, he was Head of the Engineering Department NSWC, then Deputy Technical Director of NSWC, and Head, Research and Technology Department of the NSWC. Before these Senior Executive Service assignments, Dr. Blatstein performed and led research in underwater explosion effects and explosion acoustics at the USA's Naval Ordnance Laboratory (NOL). He began his management career as Head of the Explosion Effects Branch, and became Head of the Radiation Division, managing research and technology in solid state physics, electromagnetics, electro-optics, mathematics and radiation effects.

Increased life expectancy has led to increased opportunities for multiple careers, hobbies, and interests over a person' s lifetime. In this workshop, individuals will engage in a very brief version of a strategic planning process for developing a long-range perspective on their future.