John Ashcroft

2009 Banquet Speaker

Americans know John Ashcroft best as the United States Attorney General who led the Justice Department through the transformational period after the September 11, 2001 attacks. His tough antiterrorism campaign helped keep America safe throughout his tenure and resulted in the dismantling of terrorist cells across America and the disruption of over 150 terrorist plots worldwide. His recent book, Never Again, is a fascinating and probing look at the untold story behind the war on terror as told by the most controversial Attorney General in U.S. history.

Mr. Ashcroft’s life of public service began in 1973, when he became Missouri Auditor and was later elected to two terms as the state’s Attorney General. In 1985 he was elected Governor of Missouri and became that State’s U.S. Senator in 1995. He has served as Chair of the Education Commission of the States, the Republican Governors Association, and the National Governors Association. Today, Mr. Ashcroft serves as the Chairman of The Ashcroft Group, LLC which provides confidential strategic consulting and crisis counseling to major international corporations.

In his book, Lessons from a Father to His Son, Mr. Ashcroft writes about how his own father took every opportunity, from the bizarre to the mundane, to teach him about God and the truths of Scripture. These moving stories of how to integrate one's faith with one's life not only reveals the personal and deeply rooted faith of John Ashcroft, but also emphasizes the importance of family and the Psalm 78 principle of passing the baton of truth from one generation to the next.

Jim Ryun

2008 Banquet Speaker

Jim Ryun achieved national acclaim as a track and field star while a high school student in Wichita, Kansas. In 1965 Jim set the male High School Mile Record of 3:55.3 - a record that stood for 36 years. Jim participated in three Summer Olympic Games: 1964, 1968 and 1972, winning a silver medal in the 1500 meter run in 1968. He also held the World Record in the mile, 1500 meter and 880 yard competitions and was inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame.

As a U.S. Congressman, Jim Ryun served five terms, representing the Second Congressional District of Kansas and serving on the Armed Services, Budget and Financial Services Committees. Jim's commitment to honesty and integrity as a citizen-statesman made him a powerful advocate for the sanctity of life, the traditional family and military veterans. He is also a successful businessman, motivational speaker and product consultant.

In his latest devotional book, The Courage to Run, Jim Ryun motivates us to go "higher up and higher in" with our walk with Christ. His life story of daunting challenges and great success is an inspiration to everyone who wishes to run the race of life with faith and courage. Married in 1969, Jim and Anne Ryun live in Lawrence, Kansas. They have four adult children, and eight grandchildren.

David Brandon

2007 Banquet Speaker

David A. Brandon has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Domino's Pizza since March 1999, when he was recruited to succeed Tom Monaghan after Monaghan's retirement and sale of the company.

Upon joining Domino's, Brandon announced plans to grow sales and profits by honoring the company's roots of efficient menu preparation and delivery. Profits have increased dramatically under his leadership, through improved customer satisfaction, lower turnover and product improvement. In July 2004, Brandon led the successful completion of Domino's initial public offering, which was the largest quick service restaurant IPO in history.

Prior to Domino's, Brandon served for ten years as President and CEO of Valassis, an international marketing services and sales promotion company. After building an industry-leading organization over his 20-year tenure, Brandon led the process of taking Valassis public in 1992. Valassis is a mid-cap NYSE-listed company, and began its acclaim as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America under Brandon's leadership.

Prior to joining Valassis, Brandon worked in sales management at Procter & Gamble's Food Products Division. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he was a member of three Big 10 champion football teams, under legendary Coach Bo Schembechler.

A native of Michigan, Dave Brandon resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife, Jan. The Brandons have three adult sons, Scott, Nick and Chris, and a daughter, Carli. David has been a good friend of SSI over the years, and most importantly, he is a man with a vibrant faith and an inspiring life message!

Richard Thompson

2006 Banquet Speaker

Richard Thompson is the President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As the elected Prosecuting Attorney in Oakland County, MI from 1989 through 1996, Mr. Thompson gained national prominence for his uncompromising stand against physician assisted suicide and his aggressive prosecution of Jack Kevorkian "Dr. Death" in the face of overwhelming negative public opinion!

Mr. Thompson, an articulate defender of Judeo-Christian values, has appeared on numerous nationally televised talk shows, including: FOX News Channel's O'Reilly Factor, and Hannity & Colmes programs, CNN's Crossfire and Larry King Live, The Phil Donahue Show, The Joan Rivers Show, and Rivera Live on CNBC. His dynamic message will inspire us all in our mission to pass the torch of freedom to the next generation!

Richard Thompson has received numerous awards during his professional career, including:

• Family, Faith and Freedom Award from the Family Research Council (1997)
• Defender of Life Award from The American Center for Law and Justice (1996)
• Lifetime Achievement Award from Right to Life of Michigan (1997)
• President's Award by the Executive Board of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan for efforts against assisted suicide (1996)
• Victims Justice Award from the Parents of Murdered Children of Michigan (1996)

He now directs a highly professional and aggressive team of lawyers dedicated to the defense and promotion of the religious liberty of Christians, time-honored family values and the sanctity of human life.

J. C. Watts

2005 Banquet Speaker

Statesman, ordained minister and professional athlete, J.C. Watts is a national and global visionary whose concerns encompass the world - from AIDS relief in Africa to hometown issues in his native Oklahoma.

Rising from small-town origins to become the embodiment of the American dream, J.C. Watts became a high-profile congressman who made an indelible mark on the national scene. J.C. was elected to the United States Congress in 1994. Four years later, he was elected by his peers to serve as chairman of the Republican Conference, the fourth-ranking leadership position in the majority party in the United States House of Representatives, and a position once held by Dick Cheney, Jack Kemp and Gerald Ford. In this capacity, J.C. provided daily counsel to the Speaker of the House, and participated in bi-weekly meetings with the President of the United States.

Author of What Color Is A Conservative?, Watts combines integrity and leadership for an unforgettable presentation, exciting audiences with an unmatched oratorical gift and genuine charisma.

A frequent political commentator for numerous media outlets, Watts brings passion and power to issues of fiscal discipline, national defense, education, citizenship and patriotism. He is chairman of J.C. Watts Companies, which provide services in communication, business and public affairs, and his co-charimanship of the Coalition for AIDS Relief in Africa reflects his concern for global issues such as poverty and health the world over.

A star quarterback, Watts led the University of Oklahoma to two Orange Bowl victories and was twice named Most Valuable Player. As a rookie pro, he was named Most Valuable Player of the Grey Cup, Canada's Super Bowl.

Ryan Dobson

2004 Banquet Speaker

Ryan Dobson has a passion for young people and the society they are growing up in. As an expert in youth culture, his hands-on knowledge and speaking experience has propelled him to the forefront of today's younger generation.

Ryan travels extensively around the country, speaking more than 100 times a year before audiences ranging from youth camps to crisis pregnancy center fundraisers. He is articulate, animated, and passionate about topics that he feels the next generation needs to hear. He is not afraid to challenge the status quo; in fact, he relishes debating and vocalizing the Christian worldview before any audience.

Ryan has spoken before 70,000 teens at the "Aquire the Fire" youth rally held inside the Pontiac Silverdome near Detroit; before more than 12,000 at the Young Christians Weekend in Branson, Missour, and before thousands more at the "Life on teh Edge" events held by Focus on the Family. He is a featured speaker with the Festival Con Dios.

Ryan is comfortable in smaller venues as well. He is a much-in-demand speaker for crisis pregnancy center benefits around the country, as well as high school and colleg echapels, youth groups, and Christian school fundraising dinners. His insight and outspokenness have landed him on hundreds of radio and TV interviews.

Living in Southern California, Ryan loves to surf Orange County's top surfing spots and skateboard with friends at local skate parks. In addition, he recently rode his Ritchey Road Logic road bike 6,000 miles as part of the National Bike Ride for the Family.

Ryan graduated from Biola University with a bachelor's degree in communications. The son of James and Shirley Dobson, Ryan lives in San Clemente, California.