Cleophus Franklin Jr. will be the guest speaker for the 38th Annual Streich Family Lecture Series on Free Enterprise at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, in Bridwell Auditorium in the Dillard College of Business Administration at Midwestern State University. His topic will be “Global Business and Agribusiness Trends.”

After 30 years as a successful executive working for John Deere, Case-New Holland, and Mahindra, Franklin founded Franklin Strategic Solutions, a global consulting business that focuses on leadership development, business expansion, business/brand strategy, keynote speaking, and executive coaching across all industries.

Franklin received the Future Farmers of America Honorary American Degree in 2017 for his service and contributions to agriculture. He currently serves on the Texas FFA Board of Directors. Franklin is an adviser and investor for several new business technology ventures including vertical farming, multi-sided digital platforms, and education consulting. He and his wife, Lois, reside in Cypress, Texas.

The Streich Lecture Series is part of the Dillard College’s International Week activities. According to Dr. Robert Forrester, the Dillard Distinguished Professor of Energy Finance and Chair of Economics, Finance, and General Business, International Week is one of many educational and cultural events held to raise awareness about the breadth of international education, activities, and resources available in the college and community.

Events begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, in Dillard 121 with Forrester and Economics Professor John Martinez leading a discussion with students and professors who have participated in the Study Abroad program.

Events for Wednesday, Feb. 12, include student presentations at 11 a.m. in Dillard 101, and guest speaker Genesis Sanchez at 6:30 p.m. in Dillard 101. Sanchez’ presentation will be “Our Time is Now: Make Yourself Count in Census 2020.”

Sanchez is the Texas Regional Census Campaign Manager for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). She attended Columbia University where she majored in ethnic studies with a focus on Latino/a studies. After graduation, she joined the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, where she supported field teams in the Rio Grande Valley and across the country. Last spring Sanchez led Get Out the Vote and voter registration field teams that encouraged Latinos in Dallas to become more civically engaged. At NALEO, she leads efforts to promote a fair and accurate census of hard-to-count communities across Texas.

Sanchez’ presentation is sponsored by the Center for Nonprofit Management & Leadership. NALEO Educational Fund, and the Zavala Hispanic Cultural Initiative.

The Streich Family Lecture Series is named in honor of the Streich family, owners of former area Gibson’s Discount Centers, and is designed to give MSU students, staff, and the public insight into the American free enterprise system in relation to today’s economic status. Former speakers include Bloomberg economist Richard Yamarone, the late Texas businessman T. Boone Pickens, Lindley H. Clark Jr. of The Wall Street Journal, international economist Dr. John Marthinsen, and former Texas Comptroller Susan Combs.