About the Author

Garth Kidman is a second year Masters of Business Administration candidate at the Kogod School of Business, The American University in Washington DC, and is due to graduate at the end of the Fall 2002 Semester. A part-time student with over seven years work experience as an analyst, systems engineer and project manager in the field of Information and Communication Technology, Garth has pursued dual MBA concentrations in Management of Global Information Technology and Project Management (the latter taken at the George Washington University in Washington DC).

A 1993 bachelor's graduate of The American University (Political Science Major, Minor Concentration in National Security Policy Studies), Garth currently resides in Northern Virginia with his wife and three-year-old daughter. He is employed in the Financial Systems/ERP Solutions Department of a global internet/media/entertainment company headquartered in the area. His choice of Finland as the focus of this research project was driven by his contact with several Finnish citizens (who he would like to thank for their help and input throughout this project) through the discussion forums of an international military history/politics/public policy website of which he is an original shareholder.

Garth can be contacted at gkidman@ix.netcom.com