Fireside Chat: From Hormuz to Home: the Iran War, Oil Shocks, and the Muni Market

Join PhAMAS on May 21 for a Geopolitical Update with General James “Spider” Marks, Head of Geopolitical Strategy at Academy Securities. Gain a rare perspective on national security, global markets, and leadership from a man who has led at every level of the US Army.

Date:               Thursday, May 21, 2026

Time:               3:30 to 5:00 pm ET - Fireside Chat
                        5:00 - 6:00 pm ET - Reception & Networking

Format:           In-person ONLY. This event will not be recorded.

Location:         Greenberg Traurig, 1717 Arch Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA

Speaker:

Major General (Ret.) James A. “Spider” Marks is Head of Geopolitical Strategy and Academy Securities’ Senior Advisory Board Member. General Marks is the Founder and President of The Marks Collaborative, an advisory for corporate leader development, education and training and has led entrepreneurial efforts in global primary research and national security. He served over 30 years in the Army holding every command position from infantry platoon leader to commanding general and was the senior intelligence officer in the LA Riots, the Balkans, Korea, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He culminated his career as the Commanding General of the US Army Intelligence Center and School at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf cluster, Bronze Star, and multiple combat, expeditionary and service ribbons. General Marks is a Master parachutist, authorized to wear Korean and Canadian Airborne wings, Air Assault qualified, and Honor Graduate of the US Army Ranger School. General Marks is a national security contributor to CNN and member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.

Moderator:

Sara Ketchum is a Director at Academy Securities within the public finance group specializing in municipal credit analysis for issuers nationwide. Prior to joining Academy, Ms. Ketchum began her career in municipal finance as an analyst at Ambac Assurance, working with both the Housing and Northeast regions for 6 years. Post Ambac, Sara has worked as a municipal analyst for both Fitch Ratings and Wells Fargo Bank in New York City covering many North East Region issuers. Ms. Ketchum has a BS in Mathematics from Syracuse University, an MBA from Pace University, Series 52 certification, and is the current Treasurer of PhAMAS.

Cost:
FREE for PhAMAS members with coupon code
FREE for representatives of non-profits, governments, and academic institutions with coupon code
(contact [email protected] to obtain coupon code)
$35.00 for other NFMA (non-PhAMAS) members
$50.00 for non-NFMA members
NFMA Members: Join PhAMAS with a secondary membership and gain FREE access to all PhAMAS events: https://nfma.memberclicks.net/secondaryphamas

This event is not open to the press.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER