LtGen George Flynn, USMC (Ret)
LtGen Flynn has significant operational expertise and proven leadership, management, training and education following a distinguished career of more than 38 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Years of practical experience and graduate level education in national security and international affairs are reflected in an extensive record across a broad spectrum of defense operations.
While on active duty, LtGen Flynn created the Joint Force Development Directorate at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, managing more than 2,000 people and a $1 billion organization that developed new military operational, concepts, doctrine and training. He supervised all elements of the Combatant Commander exercise program, which provides staff training and evaluates the mission performance of the largest military command organization in the United States. He also developed policy for and provided oversight of all professional military education.
As Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Combat Development and Integration, LtGen Flynn determined future requirements for all equipment, training, personnel, facilities, and supporting activities of the Marine Corps. His role as the Deputy Commanding General, Multi-National Corps, Iraq, involved leading combat operations and providing direct supervision of support activities of more than 50,000 service members and civilians, while conducting operational planning and execution to enable coalition operations, including extensive interaction with United Kingdom and Coalition Special Operations Forces. LtGen Flynn supervised and provided oversight, policy and guidance for Marine Corps training as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Training and Education Command.
As Chief of Staff, U.S. Special Operations Command, LtGen Flynn supervised all support requirements for a 2,000-person organization, responsible for the planning, direction and financial execution of the headquarters. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has several Masters Degrees in National Security and Strategy, and International Relations.
Mr. Jay S. Holmes
Jay S. Holmes joined the Board in 2012 and currently serves as the Vice Chairman. He also serves on the Executive Committee. He previously served as the Chairman of the Audit and Investment committee.
Mr. Holmes graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a degree in economics and history. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1968 and served in Vietnam with the Third Battalion, 5th Marines as a forward observer. From 1970-71 he was an artillery instructor at Schools Demonstration Troops and The Basic School at Quantico. Holmes credits the Marine Corps’ unique culture and superior leadership experience as a major contributing factor to his successful business career in the commercial finance industry.
An accomplished business executive for nearly 40 years, Mr. Holmes spent the last six years of his career serving as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of a multi-billion-dollar commercial finance institution.
Since retirement he remains active in various organizations, including the Atlanta Civil War Round Table, the Atlanta World War II Round Table, U.S. Naval Institute and the Friends of Gettysburg. He holds life memberships in the Marine Corps League, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, National Rifle Association, American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Holmes enjoys physical fitness, sports, military history, and competition pistol shooting. He and his wife of over 40 years, Cori, are “empty nesters” and have three grown children. They reside in Knoxville Tennessee.
LtGen William Faulkner, USMC (Ret)
Lieutenant General William M. “Mark” Faulkner is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Corps Association & Foundation.
Lieutenant General Faulkner served as the Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics prior to his retirement in 2015. He previously served as the Vice Director, J-4, Joint Staff. He commanded both 2d and 3d Marine Logistics Groups and served as the Chief of Staff, 2d Marine Logistics Group (Forward) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.
A graduate of East Carolina University, Lieutenant General Faulkner was commissioned in 1982 and initially served as an infantry officer with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. After receiving a lateral move to the logistics operational field, he served as a logistics officer at all levels to include command of Combat Logistics Regiment 27 and MEU Service Support Group 26 during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lieutenant General Faulkner also served with Marine Air Group 24, 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Brigade Service Support Group 4 where he participated in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He has also served as an action officer at Headquarters Marine Corps, in the Logistics Plans, Policies and Strategic Mobility Division of Installations and Logistics Department.
His Joint assignments include duty with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the former Yugoslavia where he participated in Operation Provide Promise; United States Central Command where he participated in Operations Southern Watch, Desert Fox, and Noble Response; and on the Joint Staff as a Logistics Operations Officer in the National Military Command Center.
A distinguished graduate of the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School and Air Command and Staff College, Lieutenant General Faulkner also graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Lieutenant
General Faulkner has earned master’s degrees in Business from Chaminade University and in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He is an Executive Fellow for the Institute for Defense and Business in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and supported the Marine Air Ground Task Force Staff Training Program as a senior mentor following retirement from the Marine Corps until accepting the Marine Corps Association & Foundation position.
LtGen John A. Toolan, USMC (Ret)
Lieutenant General John ‘Jocko’ Toolan Jr served as the Commander, Marine Forces Pacific, from August 2014 until August 2016. He retired from active duty on 1 October 2016.
Commissioned in 1976 upon graduation from Fordham University, his first assignment was as an infantry platoon commander with 1st Battalion, 9th Marines in Okinawa in 1977. He subsequently served at every command billet in the Infantry, while gaining broad experience in the Joint arena through his service on both the NATO and PACOM staffs. He has extensive background in the Indo/Asia-Pacific region at both strategic policy and operational levels. He also holds a Master’s of Business Administration from National University.
From 1989 to 1991, Lieutenant General Toolan served as the operations officer for 2nd Light Armored Infantry Battalion, a role in which he led and planned ground combat operations in support of Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama and Operation DESERT SHIELD DESERT STORM during the liberation of Kuwait.
Following a tour serving as the Commanding Officer of 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Lieutenant General Toolan attended Air Force War College in Montgomery, Alabama, and was subsequently assigned as the Deputy Joint Planning Officer at Supreme Allied Headquarters, Mons, Belgium. In this position, he assumed duties as the Lead Planner for Operation ALLIED FORCE, the liberation of Kosovo, and retrograde operations in Bosnia.
Selected to Colonel, he was selected for a training command and then was chosen to serve as the 1st Marine Division Operations Officer for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM I and the “march up” to Baghdad in 2003. Lieutenant General Toolan took command of Regimental Combat Team 1 during combat operations and led the regiment into Baghdad. His regiment returned to Al-Anbar Province, Iraq for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II in 2004 and led the initial assault into Fallujah. Following regimental command, he was assigned as the Director of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia. In this role, he led significant changes to the college’s curriculum to emphasize socio-cultural understanding based on his experiences as a commander during combat operations in Iraq.
Promoted to Brigadier General in 2006, assigned to Office of the Secretary of Defence as the Principal Director for Asia/Pacific Affairs, this assignment required extensive understanding of the Asia / Pacific region, and an intense travel schedule, that took him throughout the region, interacting with multiple nations. He was a key participant in negotiations for a revised lay down of forces in the Pacific, assistance programs for the Philippines, and many other initiatives. Selected as Deputy Commander, United States Forces Japan from 2008 to 2010. This tour capitalized on his relationships he had built in the Pacific especially Japan. He was promoted to Major General in 2009. In July 2010, Lieutenant General Toolan was assigned as the Commander of the 2nd Marine Division.
In March 2011, he deployed on Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, as the Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in the role of Commander, Regional Command (South West) A NATO JOINT command until March 2012. In September 2012, Lieutenant General Toolan was promoted to his current rank and assumed command of the I Marine Expeditionary Force the largest fighting force in the Corps. Lieutenant General Toolan assumed command of Marine Forces, Pacific in August of 2014.
Boards, Advisory and other positions: Senior Member—Marine Corps General Officers’ Executive Conference; Senior Mentor—Marine Staff Training Program; Member—National Association Corporate Directors.
Col Todd Ford, USMC (Ret)
Todd Ford is a Senior Manager in the Advisory Service practice of Ernst & Young LLP. During his time with EY, Todd was the first competency leader for Performance Improvement (Finance) within EY Government and Public Sector, and organized the competency team around public financial management, cost and performance improvement, finance transformation and shared service offerings to clients across the federal space. He was also the first senior manager account lead for the Navy and Marine Corps accounts with the EY Government and Public Sector, and organized the account team to integrate multiple competencies providing comprehensive financial solutions to the Navy and Marine Corps. Todd also serves as the Operations leader for the Assurance Practice for the EY US Government and Public Sector.
Prior to his current position with EY, he served for over 25 years of active duty service in the Marine Corps. His significant leadership roles include Director of Records Management M&RA, Deputy Operations II MLG (Fwd) Operation Iraqi Freedom, Chief Operation Officer, MARFORRES. He also served as Chief Financial Officer in Twenty-Nine Palms and IIMEF and at his final billet as Chief Financial Officer at MCICOM prior to his retirement.
Col Steven Zotti, USMC (Ret)
Steve Zotti, Col. USMC (ret.), was raised in Bellevue, Nebraska. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and graduated from MCRD San Diego in September 1977 as a Series Honorman. He next attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School graduating with distinction. Steve was then appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated with Distinction in 1983 with a Bachelors of Science Degree and a minor in Political Science.
Steve served primarily as an infantry officer in staff and command positions from the platoon through battalion, regiment, division and MEF levels. He has served with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines for multiple tours, 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, 6th Marine Regiment, The Basic School and all three divisions and MEFs over his 30 years of service. In his last operational tour in 2006, he assumed duties as the Team Chief and Senior Combat Advisor to the 7th Iraqi Division, with I-MEF Forward in Ramadi, Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During his career, he also participated in contingency operations in the Balkans, numerous WESTPACs and supported Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as the Night Battle Captain with the Current Operations Branch, US Central Command, MacDill AFB Florida from 2001-2002.
His primary staff tours included: Political Science Instructor, USNA 1990-1992; Commandant’s Strategic Initiatives Group, PP&O 1998-2001; Director of the Commandant’s Strategic Vision Group, HQMC from 2007-09 where he lead efforts to create and publish the Marine Corps Vision and Strategy 2025; and Chief of Staff and on site Commander for the newly established Marine Forces Cyber Command at Ft. Meade, Maryland. His served his last tour of duty as the Chief, Future Operations Division(J-35), J-3 at USCYBERCOM until his retirement in April of 2013.
Steve transitioned to the corporate world after retirement and currently serves as a Senior Director & COO with Ciena Government Solutions Inc, Ciena Corp, Hanover, MD. CGSI is a $120 million wholly owned subsidiary of 55 employees within Ciena – a $3.5 billion company. He is directly responsible for the $30 million Services funnel and to the CGSI VP & GM to organize and run the company’s staff across the entire scope of company operations, supporting activities and financials. He orchestrates the company’s 2016-2019 Strategic Plan.
He is a distinguished or honor graduate from: The Basic School, Expeditionary Warfare School, The Eisenhower School, and a graduate of the Army’s Command & General Staff College, Marine Corps’ School of Advanced Warfighting and the Air War College. He holds a number of advanced degrees to include MA in US & Comparative Foreign Policy from American University; a Masters of Military Art & Science from Army Command & General Staff College; and a MA in Strategy & Industrial Resources from the Eisenhower School.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with combat device and 2 gold stars), the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 gold stars) and the Combat Action Ribbon. Steve is the recipient of the 1994 Leftwich Trophy for outstanding leadership at the company level in ground combat units.
LtCol Skip Gaskill, USMC (Ret)
Lieutenant Colonel Gaskill retired from active duty on 1 August 2004, following his assignment as Program Manager, Tank Systems, Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, VA.
Lieutenant Colonel Gaskill was commissioned via the Marine Corps PLC program at West Chester State University, West Chester, PA on 17 December 1983. Receiving his B.S. degree in Health & Physical Education he later earned his M.A. degree in Education from Old Dominion University in June 1999. After graduating from the The Basic School, Quantico, VA and the Armor Officer’s Basic Course he was designated an Armor Officer in 1984.
Following Armor School he served as a Platoon Commander and Battalion Adjutant in 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division. His next assignment was Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC where he served as a Series Commander and then Commanding Officer, B Co, 1st Recruit Training Battalion.
He then attended the Armor Officer’s Advance Course, Ft Knox, KY where he also completed the Cavalry Leader’s Course. Upon graduation he was assigned to 2nd Tank Battalion where he served as Executive Officer, Headquarters & Service Company, then Commanding Officer, B Company, and finally Commanding Officer, Headquarters & Service Company.
Lieutenant Colonel Gaskill returned to Ft Knox, KY where he served as a Small Group Instructor at the Armor Officer Advanced Course. He next served as the Armor Officer Advanced Course Division Head followed as the Operations Officer in 3/16 Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Training Brigade.
His next assignment was as Armor Requirements Officer, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, VA. During this tour he received orders to Joint Task Force Noble Anvil in support of Operation Allied Force in response to the crisis developing in Kosovo. Upon his return his next assignment was as Assistant Program Manager and ultimately Program Manager, Tank Systems at Marine Corps Systems Command where he served until his retirement on 1 August 2004.
His personal awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with star in lieu of second award, Army Achievement Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, NATO Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Lieutenant Colonel Gaskill continues work in the Defense Industry as VP, Land Systems at Textron Systems, Marine & Land Systems. He has served in direct support of Navy & Marine Corps programs and many Navy & Marine Corps professional organizations to include a key role on the National Defense Industrial Association’s Expeditionary Warfare Division Executive Committee.
He resides in Slidell, LA with his wife, the former Jamie Harvey of Spring Lake Heights, NJ. They are the proud parents of four daughters.
LtCol Christopher Davis, USMC (Ret)
Chris Davis is president of Raytheon International, Incorporated (RII), the international sales and marketing arm of Raytheon Company. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.
As president of RII, Davis is responsible for the company’s sales and marketing efforts in more than 80 nations worldwide. He is leading the RII team to achieve top-line growth through focus on global growth, enterprise collaboration and competitive advantage. International business has accounted for roughly 27 percent of Raytheon’s total sales. The company maintains international sales and consultant offices in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America and has operations outside the U.S. in Australia, Europe and Canada.
Previously, Davis served as Raytheon’s Country Leader for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he was responsible for executing an integrated, companywide engagement strategy for the UAE based on collaboration, and deep customer intimacy. His customer engagement and collaboration responsibilities included contract execution, offset dialogues and integrated pipeline development and execution.
A retired United States Marine Corps officer and aviator, Davis joined Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS) in 2006 after a 20-year military career, and after two years assisting the UAE president of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce with that chamber’s aerospace and defense portfolio. As RMS’ director of Middle East Business Development, Davis was responsible for sales and marketing in 10 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, and significantly participated in more than $1.4 billion of successful capture efforts.
While in the military, Davis lived for three years in Japan, and was a finalist for the Council on Foreign Relations’ International Affairs Fellow Japan. He is a combat aviator with over 2,000 flight hours in both rotary and fixed-wing (fighter) aircraft.
Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial economics from Union College in Schenectady New York, and a master’s degree in security studies from the Marine Corps University.
Mr. Michael Martz
I have been in the construction, development and management business for the past 32 years. My experience has allowed me to be involved in all phases of each project fcom start to finish. The main focus for many years was commercial interior construction, which evolved into a new phase of construction of building very high end residential homes.
In the past 16 years, I have developed and redeveloped manufactured housing communities. My portfolio currently includes 4 communities that are owned by my companies.
The most current project has been Cottage Gardens Development. This project was taken from raw land to a total turnkey development for homebuyers. This project serves the need for affordable housing for many first time homebuyers, as well as general people looking for quality homes at affordable prices. Our developing has allowed us to create InLine Utilities, which supplies water and sewer services to our developments and adjoining properties.
The Cottage Gardens project was nominated 2 years in a row for the “Best Manufactured Housing Community in the United States.
Cottage Gardens is a 570 lot subdivision built and owned by my company and Sugarbercy Place Phase I is a 400 lot subdivision built by my company and sold to real estate investors. These developments are valued at approximately $84,000,000.00.
Cottage Gardens and Sugarberry Place as well as adjoining properties are serviced with water and sewer utilities by my company Inline Utilities.
At the present time we are purchasing resort property in the Dominican Republic and are exploring and investigating the needs for a Retirement Community and a Christian Camp for children.
These are just a few of the commercial projects that I have been involved in during my career:
Heights Hospital, Bellaire Hospital, Brownsville Medical Center, Williams Trace Retail Center, Kingwood Shopping Center, Pasadena General Hospital, Landmark Chevrolet, Bill Heard Chevrolet, Continental Airlines Training Center, Randall’s Retail Centers (Memorial, Shepard Square, Bissonet, Humble), Houston Intercontinental Airport, Cenmry National Bank, Exxon Re.ftnery, Houston Hobby Airport
LtCol Wendy Garrity, USMC (Ret)
Wendy Garrity has over 25 years operational experience across a broad spectrum of roles and responsibilities in the military, as well as in the information technology/cyber security, and manufacturing sectors.
She currently serves as a cyber security consultant (manufacturing) for Agilitech Solutions, LLC. She assists small to medium manufacturing companies assess compliance with NIST 800-171 standards to maintain and/or gain government contracts. She also works for Disaster Resource Group as a Logistics Site Lead. In this capacity, she manages and operates large turnkey base camps for 200-1500 personnel during natural disasters. She was recently deployed to support recovery efforts for Hurricanes Florence and Michael.
Prior to her current roles, Wendy was the Vice President for Manufacturing Support at Turbine Technologies. In this position, she was responsible for managing Information Technology and Security, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Customer Relations, and Human Resources for the company. Wendy joined Turbine Technologies in June 2017 after serving 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) where she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
While in the Marine Corps, she commanded at every level which culminated as the Commanding Officer of Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38. She also served in several executive staff positions focusing on support to Joint and Marine Corps operations, communications and intelligence. Her last assignments in the USMC were the Current Operations Officer to Marine Forces Cyberspace Command and the Marine Corps Liaison Officer to the National Security Agency. Additionally, she led the operational planning team that developed the overarching strategy for how the Marine Corps would effectively leverage and integrate operations in the cyberspace domain. She completed three deployments in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, as well as a deployment to Haiti for earthquake relief efforts in support of Operation Restore Hope.
Wendy holds a BA in Criminal Justice from Norwich University, a MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and she was a National Security Fellow for the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Wendy and her husband Steve reside in Greenville, South Carolina.
Col William R. Costantini, USMC (Ret)
William Costantini graduated from the Naval Academy and was commissioned in 1985.
He served in three different infantry battalions, and commanded 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and Weapons Training Battalion, MCB Quantico.
He retired from active duty in 2013 as the Military Assistant to the Assistant Commandant.
Will resides in Kansas and has three adult children.
LtCol Brian Grana, USMC (Ret)
Brian T. Grana is a Project Manager with the construction firm, HMT Electric Incorporated. Brian joined HMT after nearly 25-years of military service.
While in the Corps he earned operational experience across all three Marine Expeditionary Forces and commanded at every level, which culminated as the Commanding Officer of the award winning “Aces” of Marine Wing Support Squadron 373. He also served in myriad executive staff and joint billets supporting global operations.
Brian is a 1996 Graduate of the United States Naval Academy, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and earning a Varsity Letter as a four-year member of the Football Team. He is a 2002 Graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School, receiving a Masters of Science in Management; Government Acquisitions and Contracting. He is a member of the Department of the Navy Defense Acquisition Corps. Further, Brian is a 2010 Distinguished Graduate of the Marine Corps Command & Staff College, receiving a Master of Military Studies. During this time, he was also presented with the Colonel Franklin Brooke Nihart Award for the top thesis, and selected runner-up for the Office-of-the-Secretary of Defense writing competition.
Along with serving on the Marine Corps Association’s Board of Governors, Brian is a Trustee in the Athletic and Scholarship Programs division of the United States Naval Academy Foundation. He is very active in mentoring youth and supporting transitioning military veterans.
Brian is the proud father of two Boy Scouts, Jacob and Lucas, who all reside in San Diego, California.
SgtMaj Alford McMichael, USMC (Ret)
Sergeant Major Alford L. McMichael was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 27 August 1970 and attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California.
In June 1971, after completing Infantry Training School and Basic Infantry Training at Camp Pendleton, California, SgtMaj McMichael was assigned to Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In May 1973, he was transferred to 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton.
In December 1973, SgtMaj McMichael returned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego where he served as a drill instructor, series gunnery sergeant, and battalion drill master. In December 1975, he was transferred to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton.
In January 1978, SgtMaj McMichael transferred to the 3d Marine Division where he served as a shore party chief with the 3d Division Support Group.
In January 1979, SgtMaj McMichael received orders to Marine Security Guard School and, upon completion of the school, was assigned to the American Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. In May 1981, he returned to Quantico, Virginia to serve as an instructor for the Marine Security Guard School.
In May 1983, SgtMaj McMichael was assigned to the University of Minnesota where he served as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor for the NROTC Program.
In December 1984, after completing the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy Advanced Course, SgtMaj McMichael was transferred to Okinawa, Japan, to serve as the first sergeant of Company C, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion. In January 1986, he was ordered to Marine Barracks, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, to serve as the barracks’ first sergeant.
Sergeant Major McMichael served as the director of the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, from May 1989 to May 1991 after having served as the school’s deputy director since August 1988.
In May 1991, SgtMaj McMichael was transferred to Quantico, where he served as the Sergeant Major of Officer Candidates School.
In June 1994, SgtMaj McMichael returned to Okinawa, where he served as the Sergeant Major of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit until July 1995 when he was reassigned as the Sergeant Major of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
From January 1997 to June 1999, SgtMaj McMichael served as the Sergeant Major for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Division, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps.
Sergeant Major McMichael assumed his post as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on July 1, 1999. He left the position on 26 June 2003 to become a senior enlisted advisor to NATO, a newly created post. He retired from the Marine Corps in October 2006.
Sergeant Major McMichael’s personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star.
SgtMaj Kim Davis, USMC (Ret)
Sergeant Major Davis was born in Hahn Air Force Base, West Germany on January 07, 1963. In June 1981, he graduated from Palm Bay High School, Palm Bay Florida.
In October 1981, he reported to MCRD, Parris Island, where he underwent recruit training. In January 1982, PFC Davis reported to The United States Army Air Defense School, Fort Bliss, Texas for REDEYE/STINGER Gunner Operator’s Course. Upon graduating in April 1982, he reported to 2nd Forward Area Air Defense Ba ttery (2d FAAD Btry) Cherry Point North Carolina, where subsequently picked up LCPL and CPL, completing numerous deployments and exercises i.e., Providing air defense cover for the MAU Hdqtrs at the Airport in Beirut and Ships deployed in the Persian Gulf. In August 1984, Cpl Davis reported to 3rd Forward Are a Air Defense Btry (3rd FAAD Btry) Futenma, Okinawa, where he picked up Sergeant (meritoriously) and was sUbsequently assigned t o Marine Security Guard School, Quantico, Virginia. In January 1986, Sgt Davis reported to American Embassy, Beirut Lebanon and served there until March 1987, when he was reassigned to American Embassy, Madrid Spain. It was there he was promoted meritoriously to the rank of Staff Sergeant and returned to Marine Security Guard School for further training, as a Detachment Commander. After graduating Honor man, SSgt Davis was assigned as the Detachment Commander, American Consulate General, Calcutta, India, where he served until March 1990. After successful compl etion of MSG Duty, SSGT Davis was assigned to 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion , 3rd (LAAD En) Camp Pendleton, Ca. and in Aug 1990, participated in Operations Desert Shie l d/Storm . Returning to the States i n April 1991, SSgt Davis was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and received orders to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, where he was assigned as the Station Property Control Officer . Upon completion of this tour, he then returned to 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, (2d LAAD Bn) Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he served as the Moving Target Simulator, SNCOIC and Operations Chief for Bravo Btry. I n 1996, having been selected f o r First Sergeant, he was transferred to 8th Motor Transport Battalion, 2nd FSSG, Camp Lejuene , North Carolina and assigned Bravo Co. He was assigned as t he 1stSgt for Combat Service Support Detachment 28, (CSSD 28) i n support of CAX 9/10. In Dec 1997, he reported to Combat Service Support Detachment 21, (CSSD 21) MCAS, Cherry Point North Carolina as the Detachment IstSgt. Upon his selection to SgtMaj in February 2000, SgtMaj Davis received orders to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines . He deployed i n Jul 2001, as the Sergeant Major for the Ground Combat Element, for the 31st MEU and conducted Humanitarian assistance for the people of East Timor, post Sept. 11. In Feb 2002, he deployed with 2d Battalion, 5th Marines to Kuwait, as part of the Coalition Forces to free the I raqi people. SgtMaj Davis was assigned as the Battalion Sergeant Major for Marine Corps Security Forces Battalion from June 2004 to May 2006. From June 2006 to Jul 2008, SgtMaj Davis was assigned as the Sergeant Major, 4th Marine Logistics Group, New Orleans , LA. Currently assigned as the Marine Forces Reserve SgtMaj. A 2005 KEYSTONE FELLOW graduate.
SgtMaj Davis’ personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal , (wi t h 2 gold stars) the Navy Commendation Medal (with 3 gold stars) with Combat Distinguishing Device, the Navy Achievement Medal (withl gold star) and the Combat Action Ribbon (with 2 gold stars.) He has one daughter, Lauren (9 yrs old).
Mr. Tim O'Hara
Col Robert Love, USMC (Ret)
Mr. Bob Love is a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and is serving as the Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of the Navy. His previous assignment was as Vice President, Business Development at the Logistics Management Institute (LMI). Prior to joining LMI he founded Daedalus Solutions, LLC, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business specializing in helping companies understand the international market. He is a proven professional with a record of accomplishments as a Strategist, Logistician, and International Business Leader. He was the Executive Director, International Campaigns (Support Solutions) BAE Systems, Inc., from March 2010 until July 2014. Mr. Love led the Company’s effort to develop business opportunities in key locations around the world. Mr. Love is an Executive Fellow Emeritus for the Institute for Defense and Business (IDB).
From 2006 until March 2010 Mr. Love was a member of the SES and served as the Executive Director, Expeditionary Business in the Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO), Office of the Secretary of Defense. TFBSO worked in close cooperation with various agencies, the international business community, non-government organizations, and local governments (Middle East, Afghanistan, & Sub Saharan Africa). Mr. Love was directly involved with foreign direct investment, value chain integration, and industrial revitalization. The Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, awarded Mr. Love the Secretary of Defense Award for Outstanding Public Service, the Department of Defense’s (DoDs) second highest civilian award, for his work with TFBSO.
From October 2005 until June 2006 Mr. Love served as the Director, War fighter Support Office (WSO), Business Transformation Agency (BTA). He was instrumental in the establishment of the BTA and WSO. In this role, Mr. Love worked across the DoD, Secretariat, Service, and Combatant Commands to evaluate business enterprise processes and associated systems affecting contracting, logistics, fund distribution, financial management in order to align to the theater commanders needs.
Mr. Love retired as a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps in August 2004. Colonel Love’s career included a variety of command & staff assignments to include command of a Marine Wing Support Squadron and a Combat Logistics Battalion. He led the Marine Corps Capstone Logistics Modernization Effort, a flagship enterprise regarded by military and industry organizations as a model for transformation. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Colonel Love served as the Officer in Charge of the Reconstitution Liaison Support Team (RLST) and deployed to Kuwait/Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Upon his return, he was assigned as the Senior Logistics Advisor, Marine Corps Combat Development Command. After retiring, Mr. Love served as the Deputy Director for the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Logistics Systems Management), supporting major logistics system modernization efforts.
IDB’s Executive Fellows Program is a unique opportunity for selected retired senior leaders from the DoD, the Department of Homeland Security, and the military services to share their knowledge and experience with participants in the IDB’s educational programs. Mr. Love’s tenure was for the 2015 – 2016 academic year.
Mr. Love holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Management and a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Armed Forces Staff College. He is the recipient of eleven personal awards for outstanding performance of duties and has received the Federal Executive Association Outstanding Officer Award for superior leadership and management abilities. Mr. Love has been designated a Professional Logistician by the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). He and his wife, Helaine, have three adult children, Dr. Andrew Love, Ms. Genna Love (CPA), and Lieutenant William Love, USN.
Col Emily E. Swain, USMC (Ret)
Colonel Emily Elder Swain was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1987, upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
After completing the Motor Transport Officer Course, 2nd Lieutenant Elder received orders to 9th Motor Transport Battalion on Okinawa, Japan where she served as a platoon commander, detachment commander and company executive officer from 1989 to 1990. Subsequently, she reported to the Marine Wing Support Group-47 Operations section, to train reserve Marines. In 1994, Captain Elder was assigned to 7th Motor Transport Battalion as the Bravo Company Commander, Battalion S-4 and as an Action Officer in the 1st Force Service Support Group G-3.
After completing Amphibious Warfare School, she reported to Headquarters, Marine Corps (Installations & Logistics) as the Motor Transport Occupational Field Sponsor. Major Elder was selected to attend Command and Staff College, earning a Masters of Military Science degree, before transferring to the III Marine Expeditionary Force G-4 (Plans) office in Okinawa, JA.
In 2002, she reported to the 1st Force Service Support Group G-3 (Plans) but was quickly reassigned as the Operations Officer for Combat Service Support Battalion-18, a task-organized unit formed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon redeployment, Major Elder became the Headquarters & Service Battalion Executive Officer, returning to Iraq for OIF II as the (Acting) Commander of Headquarters & Service Battalion at Camp Taqqadam. LtCol Elder subsequently became the Combat Service Support Group-11 Executive Officer as the FSSG transitioned to Marine Logistics Group.
LtCol Elder returned to Headquarters, Marine Corps in 2005 as the Section Head of MMOA-3, Officer Plans & Programs, and in 2008 was assigned to Programs and Resources as a Manpower & Infrastructure Analyst. Colonel Swain reported to the Navy Secretariat in 2009 as the Marine Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower & Reserve Affairs. In July 2011, Colonel Swain assumed duties as the AC/S G-4 of MARCENT (Forward). Returning from Bahrain, Col Swain served as the Marine Corps National Account Manager at the Defense Logistics Agency Headquarters. Colonel Swain finished her 30 year career as the Inspector General of Marine Corps Base, Quantico.
Mr. Bryan H. Wood
Mr. Bryan H. Wood retired from federal service in April 2019 after a distinguished 33 year career serving the Marine Corps and the Navy, the final 14 years as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES). He retired as the Assistant Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Installations & Logistics where he served as the principal deputy and technical assistant to the Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, responsible for providing long-range continuity to the department’s policy, direction and performance oversight for all installations and logistics functions at USMC bases and stations throughout the world and for the operating forces across the U.S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Wood was appointed to this position in 2014 following 4 years as Director, Pacific Division (PP&O), HQMC, responsible for capabilities, force posture, infrastructure and budgeting to support Marine Corps force realignments in the Pacific including the proposed relocation of Marine forces from Okinawa to Guam, Australia and Hawaii. This followed 24 years as an attorney with the Department of the Navy’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Initially appointed to the Senior Executive Service in December 2003 as the Deputy Counsel for the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. Wood’s latest legal position was as Counsel, Office of Naval Research (ONR). While serving as ONR Counsel in 2007, he was the first Navy OGC attorney to deploy to a combat zone in his civilian OGC capacity when he volunteered to serve as the special legal advisor to the Commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Djibouti, Africa.
Mr. Wood began his career with Navy OGC as Assistant Counsel at Southern Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Charleston, SC in 1986. He has since served as Assistant Counsel for the Charleston Naval Shipyard and the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion & Repair, Charleston, SC; Counsel, Officer in Charge of Construction, Marianas and Navy Public Works Center, Guam; and Counsel, Navy Public Works Center, Norfolk, VA. In January 1997, Mr. Wood was selected as the first civilian attorney to serve as the Executive Assistant and Special Counsel to the General Counsel of the Navy. Mr. Wood has also served as the Environmental Law Section Head and Senior Associate Counsel (Environment/ Safety), Naval Sea Systems Command and as the Deputy Assistant General Counsel of the Navy (Financial Management & Comptroller).
Mr. Wood is a 1983 graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a Degree in Political Science/Public Administration. In December of 1985, he received his Juris Doctor from the University of Bridgeport School of Law during which time he served with the Organized Crime Bureau and the Economic Crime Unit of the Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office. Mr. Wood is a member of the bars of the State of Connecticut, the United States Court of Federal Claims and the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. He is the recipient of both the Presidential Rank of Distinguished and Meritorious Executive, two Department of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Awards (CSA), four DoN Superior CSAs, two DoN Meritorious CSAs and the Joint Service Civilian Commendation medal.
LtGen Richard C. Zilmer
LIEUTENANT GENERAL RICHARD C. ZILMER, USMC (Ret.)
Lieutenant General Richard Zilmer retired from Active Duty in January of 2011 following over 36 years of commissioned service. Among a variety of professional and volunteer activities, LTGEN Zilmer presently sits on the CNA Military Advisory Board. LTGEN Zilmer is also an independent consultant and past Board member with the Hershey Trust Company and Milton Hershey School Board of managers where he served as Vice Chairman. He also serves as a Highly Qualified Employee and Senior Mentor for the US Army.
During his military career, Zilmer served in a variety of operational and staff assignments throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan. His operational commands consisted of Commanding Officer First Battalion, First Marines, Commanding Officer 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Commanding General Multinational Forces -West ( Anbar Province, Iraq) and Commanding General III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. Zilmer served combat tours during Lebanon Peacekeeping Operations, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Zilmer’s staff assignments included multiple Washington DC tours at Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy J-3 for Operations at the United States European Command, Presidential Support duties at Camp David, Maryland and Senior US Marine Representative to the Royal Marines in Poole England. His final assignment was Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps.
A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Zilmer presently resides with his wife Lorie and youngest son in the Pocono Mountains of eastern Pennsylvania. Lieutenant General Zilmer graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education from Kutztown University in 1974 and holds a Masters of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the College of Naval Warfare. He has also studied at the Penn State Executive Programs and the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at UNC.
LtGen Mark A. Brilakis
Lieutenant General Mark Andrew Brilakis is currently assigned as the Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class in May 1981.
Assignments in the Operating Forces include: Battery Officer, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines; Battery Commander, Battalion FDO, and S-3, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines; Naval Gunfire Control Officer and Assistant Supporting Arms Coordinator, Amphibious Group Two; Future Operations and MAGTF Planner, G-3, II MEF;
Executive Officer, 10th Marine Regiment; Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, 10th Marines; Commanding General, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Deputy Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Commanding General, 3d Marine Division.
Assignments in the Supporting Establishment include: Company Officer and Commanding Officer, Company A, and Course Developer, MCI Company, Marine Barracks, Washington DC; Commanding Officer, Weapons Training Battalion, Training Command; and the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.
Headquarters and Staff assignments include: Status of Forces Officer, Plans, Policies, and Operations Department, HQMC; Head, Program Development Branch, Programs and Resources Department, HQMC; Director, European Liaison Office, Headquarters, U.S. European Command, Deputy J-3, United States European Command, and Assistant Deputy Commandant (Programs), Programs & Resources Department, HQMC.
Military Education: Amphibious Warfare School; Command and Staff College; School of Advanced Warfighting; and CMC Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies. Masters in Military Studies, Marine Corps University.
SgtMaj Robin C. Fortner
Sergeant Major Fortner was born in Brooklyn, New York. In August of 1990, she enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., where she was meritoriously promoted to private first class. Private First Class Fortner was transferred to Camp Lejeune, N.C., to attend the Basic Supply School and obtain the MOS 3051. Private First Class Fortner graduated at the top of her class and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in January 1991. After completion of school, Lance Corporal Fortner’s first assignment was 2d Supply Battalion, 2d Force Service Support Group, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
During her tour, Lance Corporal Fortner was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal in June 1992 and later transferred to Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa, Japan. While serving as the Warehouse Chief, Corporal Fortner began cross training into the Supply Administration MOS 3043 and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February 1994.
In June 1994, Sergeant Fortner was transferred to Marine Air Control Squadron 6, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, N.C., serving in various billets to include Supply Chief, Color Sergeant, and Armorer. She was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant in March 1998.
In June 1999, Staff Sergeant Fortner reported to Weapons Field Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island, S. C. to serve as a Primary Marksmanship Instructor. After graduating number one in PMI School, She trained both male and female recruits in the basic fundamentals of marksmanship before reporting to Drill Instructor School in April 2001.
Staff Sergeant Fortner graduated as Honor Graduate of Drill Instructor School, and assigned to Co. O, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. In September 2002, Staff Sergeant Fortner was promoted to the rank of gunnery sergeant and also served as Company First Sergeant.
In 2004, Gunnery Sergeant Fortner transferred to Okinawa, Japan and was assigned to G-4, 3d Marine Logistics Group as the Supply Chief. Additionally she served as the lead Supply Analyst and Drill Analyst for the Commanding General’s Inspection Program. During this tour, she deployed several times, in addition to serving with Joint Task Force 536 to Colombo, Sri Lanka in January 2005. Gunnery Sergeant Fortner attained the rank of first sergeant and reported to Headquarters Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force on Camp Hansen, Okinawa in May 2006.
First Sergeant Fortner was later transferred to 9th Communication Battalion, I MEF Headquarters Group, Camp Pendleton, CA in July of 2007. She deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008 and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010.
In April 2011 Sergeant Major Fortner assumed the duties as the Battalion Sergeant Major of 4TH RTBN, Parris Island SC. Sergeant Major Fortner took an active role in preserving the legacy of female Marines through two monumental ceremonies celebrating 70 years of Women Marines. In August 2013 Sergeant Major Fortner received orders to 2D Law Enforcement Battalion, Camp Lejeune, N.C. June 2014 Sergeant Major Fortner received orders to the Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force where she is currently serving.
Sergeant Major Fortner’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd Award) and various campaign and unit awards. Sergeant Major Fortner is the recipient of the 2012 Megan McClung Leadership Award. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies and currently pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Leadership and Management.
Mr. Timothy Eichhorn
Wm. Timothy (Tim) Eichhorn is a former Marine infantry officer serving now as a partner and senior adviser with Rather & Kittrell Capital Management in Knoxville, TN.
Tim received his commission through the PLC program in 1987 upon graduation from Frostburg State College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. His 8 years of USMCR active duty included stints with Lima Company 3/9 from May 1989 through May 1991, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion May 1991 through May 1992 and 6th Marine Corps District (RS Jacksonville) May 1992 through May 1995. Tim then re-entered active duty for another 1.5 years with 4th Combat Engineer Battalion from November 2004 until May 2006.
He served as platoon commander, weapons platoon commander and executive officer of Lima 3/9 and through deployments to Bridgeport MWTC, Honduras and Operations Desert Shield/Storm. At 1st Recon he served as BN S-3A, Dive Officer and company commander. At RS Jacksonville, FL., Tim served as a three year executive officer. At Delta Company, 4th CEB, Tim served as company commander and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom as AST/MTT to an Iraqi battalion in Fallujah from Jan 2005 to Aug 2005.
Tim manages corporate and personal assets for clients of Rather & Kittrell Capital Management nationwide as well as the local East Tennessee region. Tim joined Rather & Kittrell in 2004 after nine years of consulting and non-profit work.
Tim has served as president of the Maryville, TN Little League, The Downtown Knoxville Kiwanis Club, The Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Detachment #924 of The Marine Corps League and on boards of The East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association and The Salvation Army, Knoxville and Maryville TN. He also currently serves as a member of The Blount County (TN) Audit Committee.
Tim and his wife, Beth, have three grown children: Catherine (Eric), Caroline and Blake (Kaci). Catherine and Eric are Marines at Camp Pendleton and Blake is a Marine in North Carolina.
