Biographical Information
Edward E. Gordon is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and consultant. He is a big picture thought leader. Gordon’s interdisciplinary experience and training lets him connect the dots on both historic events and business issues related to domestic and international economic development.
His most recent history book is Divided on D-Day: How Leadership Failures Threatened the Normandy Invasion (Prometheus Books, 2023) provides insightful answers to the many leadership controversies surrounding the Normandy campaign. He has presented hundreds of historical programs across America to many types of associations and organizations. (See History Client List) He was a Distinguished Lecturer for the Organization of American Historians. His wide range of history presentations draw on a lifetime of research, teaching, and travel.
As a historical economist Gordon applies inter-disciplinary solutions that address jobs-skills issues and other business and economic development roadblocks. His books on talent creation and economic competitiveness include: Future Jobs: Solving the Employment and Skills Crisis (Praeger, 2013, 2018), Winning the Global Talent Showdown: How Businesses and Communities Can Partner to Rebuild the Jobs Pipeline (Berrett-Koehler, 2009), The 2010 Meltdown: Solving the Impending Jobs Crisis (Praeger, 2005), and SkillWars: Winning the Battle for Productivity and Profit (Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000).His thoughts on the post-pandemic education and skills crisis can be found in his White Paper, Job Shock: Solving the Pandemic and 2030 Employment Meltdown”( 2021).” He also issues Gordon Reports that comment on current global and domestic economic issues and employment trends.
Drawing upon his experience of over 50 years as president and founder of Imperial Consulting Corporation, Gordon’s economic presentations center on helping businesses and communities assess the impact of current socio-economic conditions and develop their skilled talent. His wide range of clients include businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and professional, trade, and educational associations. (View Client List)
He has been quoted in or written over 300 articles for major newspapers such as USA Today, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and Investor’s Business Daily, and popular magazines, business publications, and education journals, including The Futurist, M World, Talent Management, Training, HR Magazine, and Employment Relations Today.
His media experience includes the CBS Network’s The Early Show, The PBS NewsHour, CNN, NBC, Bloomberg TV, WGN, NPR, Time-Warner Cable, USA Radio, YouTube and numerous webinars. As a professional speaker, he has been heard by over 500,000 people and millions on television and radio.
Gordon taught courses in business, psychology, and history for 20 years at several Chicago-area universities including DePaul, Loyola, and Northwestern. He has served on 16 boards of directors or advisory boards (See List). He currently serves on the Federal Reserve Board of Chicago’s Economic Roundtable and is Treasurer of the Cliff Dwellers.
Areas of Historical Expertise:
- World War II
- U.S. Civil War
- The American West
- The History of the Roman Catholic Church
Educational Background:
- Ph.D. History & Psychology, Magna cum Laude, Loyola University Chicago
- B.A., M.A. History, Magna cum Laude, DePaul University, Chicago
He also pursued graduate study in history at the University of Chicago