General William F. "Buck" Kernan currently is the senior vice president
and general manager of International Operations for MPRI, a training,
simulation and government services company that is a wholly owned
subsidiary of L-3 Communications.
Kernan served for 34 years in the United States military and
retired December 2002. In his last assignment, Kernan served as Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic and Commander in Chief, U.S. Joint Forces Command.
Kernan has commanded at many levels of the military - starting
at the Platoon level and going up through Combatant Command level. He has commanded two Airborne Companies, two Ranger Companies,
an Airborne Infantry Battalion, a Ranger Battalion, and the 75th
Ranger Regiment. For two years he was an exchange officer to
England as a rifle company commander in the 3rd Battalion, the
British Parachute Regiment.
He was the assistant division commander (Maneuver) of the 7th
Infantry Division, followed by an assignment as the director
of Director Plans Policy and Assessments, J5, United States Special
Operations Command. He commanded the 101st Airborne Division
(Air Assault) for two years and the XVIII Airborne Corps at
Fort Bragg for 30 months.
Kernan's combat tours have included Vietnam, Grenada and Panama. During Operation JUST CAUSE, he led the 75th Ranger Regiment
in its combat parachute assault onto Rio Hato.
Awards that General Kernan has received include: the Defense
Distinguished Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster); Distinguished
Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster); Legion of Merit (with
three oak leaf clusters); Bronze Star Medal with "V" device;
Bronze Star Medal (with oak leaf cluster); Purple Heart; Meritorious
Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters); Air Medal; Army
Commendation Medal (with four oak leaf clusters); Army Achievement
Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Master Parachutist Badge (with
combat star); Air Assault Badge; and Ranger Tab.
General Kernan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a Master
of Arts degree in personnel administration. His military education
includes the Infantry Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command
and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.
Vice Chairman Fred N. Day IV Former President and CEO, Progress
Energy Carolinas
Fred Day is former president and chief executive officer of
Progress Energy Carolinas, a regulated electric utility serving
1.4 million customers in North Carolina and South Carolina.
As president and CEO, Day led an organization that included
seven customer service and operations departments. Those functions
included four regional operations departments, a distribution
engineering organization, a transmission department and a customer
service organization, including three customer service centers
- one in North Carolina and two in Florida.
Day spent his entire career with Progress Energy - formerly
CP&L - and held several management positions within the
company. He was named senior vice president of Energy Delivery
in 1997, executive vice president in 2000, and promoted to president
and chief executive officer in 2003. Day retired from Progress
Energy during July of 2007.
Currently, Day serves on the boards of directors of the North Carolina
State Engineering Foundation and Microcell Corporation. He is a past
chair of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. He also is
past chair and director of the North Carolina Zoological Society, Eastern
North Carolina Industrial Council and Wilmington Industrial Development,
Inc. He served on the boards of Advanced Energy Corporation and
the North Carolina Economic Development Board.
Day received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from
Mars Hill College. He also is a graduate of Progress Energy's
Management Institute at The University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill.
Director George Baldwin Managing Director, Legislative and Community Affairs, Piedmont Natural Gas
George Baldwin is managing director of legislative and community affairs for Piedmont Natural Gas, a natural gas utility headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this capacity, he oversees the company’s staff of Community Relations Managers and provides public policy direction for the company in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Baldwin also serves as President of the Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation and Treasurer for the Piedmont Natural Gas Employee Political Action Committee.
Prior to joining Piedmont, Mr. Baldwin served as vice president for marketing and sales for an energy utility in North Carolina. He currently serves on the Boards of the American Gas Association’s Legislative Affairs Committee, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Foundation for the Carolinas-Partners in Philanthropy.
Baldwin received his MBA from Campbell University and BS in marketing and management from Appalachian State University.
IEM President and CEO Madhu Beriwal has more than 25 years of experience in disaster and emergency management, homeland security, national defense, and the use of information technology to resolve complex protection issues.
Prior to founding IEM, she worked for the State of Louisiana, focusing on floodplain management and hurricane evacuations for the City of New Orleans and surrounding areas. In 1984, she received a Special Merit award from the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association for her achievements in hurricane emergency preparedness.
Ms. Beriwal founded IEM in 1985 as a company dedicated to developing solutions for complex challenges in homeland security, defense, and information technology. IEM’s strength lies in the combination of social, technical, and scientific knowledge with best practices management theory, as well as the use of open and participatory processes that accomplish real and sustainable results for governments, organizations, and individuals.
Ms. Beriwal is a guest lecturer at the Homeland Security Executive Leadership Program at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security in Monterey, California, and is a frequent speaker at conferences, such as the International Association of Emergency Managers conference and the World Conference on Disaster Management. She is a member of the prestigious Army Science Board (ASB), and a former member of the Defense Science Board’s Task Force for Intelligence Needs on Homeland Defense, created at the request of the DoD and the CIA to address counter-terrorism intelligence requirements for homeland defense. Ms. Beriwal was also the invited facilitator for the DoD’s Chemical and Biological Modeling and Simulation Futures Workshop, which examined strategic defense issues.
Ms. Beriwal holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning (Transportation and Land Use) and a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Economics.
Director Rear Admiral Paul E. Busick, USCG, (Ret.)
Real Admiral Busick retired from active military service during 1998
and currently serves as COO for Pegasus Elite Aviation, LLC. He also
is a member of the board of directors for the Lenoir County Committee
of 100, a member of the board of trustees for the Coast Guard
Academy, chairman of the Lenoir County Chapter of the American
Red Cross board of directors and a past chairman of the Coast
Guard Academy Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Busick is an aviator who has commanded the Coast Guard Air Station
in San Francisco, California, and the Aviation Training Center
in Mobile, Alabama. He has served as deputy chief of the Office
of Law Enforcement and Defense Operations at the U.S. Coast Guard
Headquarters, and as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation's national
security advisor - a position that gave him security policy
responsibility for all modes of transportation in the country.
During 1996, Busick joined the National Security Council as a
special assistant to the President and to the senior director
of Gulf War Illnesses.
Busick has worked as president and executive director of North
Carolina's Global TransPark Authority - an appointment made
by then-Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. He also was appointed to
a Presidential Oversight Board for certain Department of Defense
investigations; and, following the terrorist attacks of September
11, 2001, Admiral Busick accepted a temporary appointment as
the Federal Aviation Administration's associate administrator
for civil aviation security. In that position, the admiral oversaw
the ongoing worldwide civil aviation security program for the
United States.
Rear Admiral Busick's military awards include the Defense Distinguished
Service Medal, the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal and
the Legion of Merit. He was awarded the U.S. Department of Transportation's
Distinguished Service award and the Federal Aviation Administration's
Extraordinary Service Medal - the highest accolade for contributions
to civil aviation. During February 2002, Busick was honored as
Tarheel of the Week by the News and Observer newspaper.
Busick holds a master of science degree in Industrial Administration
from Purdue University and is a graduate of the National War
College in Washington, D.C.
Director Brett Carter President, Duke Energy Carolinas
Brett Carter is president of Duke Energy Carolinas. He leads the Carolinas' utility business, an operation that provides electricity and value-added products and services to nearly 2.4 million customers in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Prior to his appointment as president, Carter served as senior vice president of customer service and business development for Duke Energy. In his business development role, he acquired and retained new wholesale customers; expanded the company’s existing large commercial and industrial customers; and discovered economic development opportunities for the company. His customer service responsibilities included the management of call center operations, revenue services and general customer support.
Carter joined Duke Energy during 2005 as vice president of residential and small business customers. He also managed the marketing strategy and operations of the company’s Customer Service Center.
Prior to his work with Duke Energy, Carter was vice president of the Central Services Division for Aquila. While there, he was oversaw two call centers and Six Sigma special projects as well as the company’s information technology, customer account management and customer solutions.
During 2008, North Carolina Governor Mike Easley appointed Carter to serve on the North Carolina State Ports Authority Board. Carter also currently chairs the Business Development Committee of the Crisis Assistance Ministry of Charlotte. He is a member of Leadership Charlotte.
Carter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in marketing, from the University of Pittsburgh. He has completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
Director Herb Crenshaw Vice President, Public Policy and Director, Government and External Affairs, AT&T North Carolina
Herb Crenshaw directs and manages the governmental affairs and constituency relations for AT&T North Carolina. Prior to this, Crenshaw worked for BellSouth, now AT&T North Carolina, for 37 years as Customer Services Manager, a Network Facilities Engineer, a Consumer Methods and Training Manager, an Economic Development Director, and a Regulatory and External Affairs Director.
Crenshaw has served on and provided leadership to many organizations across North Carolina. He is currently serving on the board of directors for the Agency for Public Telecommunications, the Public School Forum, the North Carolina Technology Association, the North Carolina Economic Developers Association, the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, the Partnership for Defense Innovation, the North Carolina Commerce and Trade Development Fund, Inc., and the North Carolina Community College Foundation. He also served on Governor Hunt’s North Carolina Economic Development Board from 1997 to 2000.
Crenshaw earned his BA degree from Washington & Lee University in 1969. He received his MA degree from Tufts University where he studied international business and foreign relations. Following graduate school, he served two years as an Army officer in El Paso, Texas.
Vice President, Global Business Management, LORD Corporation
Jack De Leon, Vice President, Global Business Management, joined LORD Corporation in 2003 as Vice President, Marketing and Business Development. In 2005, he was appointed Vice President, Marketing and Sales. Throughout his business career, De Leon has worked with leading-edge companies to develop and deliver technical solutions to global customers to improve the productivity of their manufacturing and processing operations or the performance of their end products.
De Leon joined LORD from Rockwell Automation Control Systems where he served in a variety of executive leadership positions in marketing, business development and general management. Prior to Rockwell Automation, he held progressive manufacturing, marketing and sales management positions at Texas Instruments. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Open Device Vendors Association and ControlNet International as well as the Strategic Advisory Board for IEEE.
Prior to his business career, De Leon served in the U.S. Army as a commissioned Air Defense Artillery officer, serving in Germany and the U.S. as a platoon leader, battery executive officer and battalion assistant operations officer. De Leon earned a BS in Engineering from the United States Military Academy and a MS in Engineering Management from the University of Tennessee.
Major General Dickerson retired during July of 2008 as commanding general of Marine Corps bases and stations on the east coast - from Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, Virginia to Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Florida - which included command of Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
During his 34-year military career, Major General Dickerson’s war time service included deployment to Southwest Asia to participate in Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Eastern Exit. He also deployed to the Caribbean in June 1994 for Operation Sea Signal.
Major General Dickerson's personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merits, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
He holds a bachelor of science degree from Bryant College and a masters degree from Central Michigan University. Major General Dickerson also is a graduate of the Marine Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia; Naval Command and Staff College, Naval War College; Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University; and Ground Officer Supply School.
Senior Vice President, Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company
As Senior Vice President, Mark S. Forbes is the Business Banking Director for Wachovia's North Carolina Coastal Plains team that includes Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Kinston, Rocky Mount, Wilson and Wilmington.
Previously, he served as Community Risk Director supporting 40 bankers in 23 markets. He received his MBA from East Carolina University, his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Relations and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also received the "CFP" certification.
He serves on the Board of Directors for The Entrepreneur Institute and Nash Community College Foundation. He also is Stewardship Chairman for Westwood Baptist Church in Cary, N.C.
Upon completion of the requirements for graduation in 1968, McNeill was awarded a Bachelor of Science and a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry from North Carolina State University and the University's ROTC program. McNeill has served with Special Forces, airborne infantry, mechanized infantry and aviation units. As a general officer, McNeill has commanded the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, U.S. Army Forces Command as well as serving as an assistant division commander, corps chief of staff, deputy corps commander and Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff FORSCOM. In addition to a myriad of assignments to posts throughout the United States, McNeill has served overseas assignments in the Republic of Vietnam, the Republic of Korea, Italy, Panama, Haiti, Saudi/Iraq and Afghanistan. In June, 2008, McNeill completed a final tour of 16 months in command of NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. McNeill retired on July 31, 2008, after completing more than 40 years of commissioned service.
Vince Nelson is President of BB&T's South Central Region headquartered in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He has 36 years of banking experience. During his career at Southern National Bank, he served as Vice President and City Executive of Goldsboro, N.C.; Senior Vice President an City Executive of Fayetteville, N.C.; and Senior Vice President and Regional Executive of the North Central Region headquartered in Greensboro, N.C. He joined BB&T in 1995 through its merger with Southern National Bank.
Nelson received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from East Carolina University and graduated from the School of Banking at Louisiana State University and the North Carolina School of Banking.
He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy of North Carolina and has formerly served as a Board Member for The North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, the Greensboro YMCA and was a former Cabinet Member of the Greensboro Self-Help Center.
Senior Vice President, Director, Government Relations, Wells Fargo Corporation
As Senior Vice President and Director of Government Relations, Walter Price is responsible for the execution of the Wells Fargo’s local, state and federal public policy activities.
Prior to his joining Wachovia in 2002, Price worked for over seven years as a senior staff member to U.S. Senator Jesse Helms and U.S. Representative Sue Myrick.
Price is currently a member of the board of directors of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Child Care Resources, The Helms Center, the U.S. National Whitewater Center and the Charlotte Regional Partnership. In addition, he serves on the Government Relations Committees for the American Bankers Association (Chairman of ABA’s Legislative Liaison Advisory Committee and member of the BANK Political Action Committee board); the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association; and the Financial Services Roundtable. Price is a past board member of A Child’s Place, Hope Haven, Historic Charlotte and the Mecklenburg County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
The Charlotte Business Journal selected Price as one of the top "40 under 40" leaders in the Charlotte business community in 2002.
A native of Charlotte, Price earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina and has completed the Wachovia Executive Leadership Program at the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. David Robinson received his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University in 1998. Following graduation, he worked for the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Dahlgren. His primary focus was on weapons lethality and effectiveness for a variety of weapon systems. Dr. Robinson’s work was focused on various ballistic missile defense systems for the Missile Defense Agency. In 2004, he founded Corvid Technologies in Mooresville, North Carolina. It is an engineering services firm specializing in the development and application of high fidelity computational physics for a variety of government, defense industry and automotive programs. Corporate experience includes Special Operations Command, Marine Corps Systems Command, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Navy Integrated Weapons Systems and General Motors Racing. The company is a small-business that employs 35 people with revenue of over $8 million and is expected to grow to 40 employees and over $10 million in 2010.
General Lance L. Smith served in the United States Military for 37 years and retired January 2008. Most recently he served as Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia. As Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command, he was responsible for maximizing present and future military capabilities of the United States by leading the transformation of joint forces in the areas of joint training; joint interoperability; and joint innovation and experimentation.
As Combatant Command Authority for Air Combat Command, Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Army Forces Command and Marine Forces Command, he held operational control over almost 1.19 million U.S. military forces in his role as the force provider to the other combatant commanders. As Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Smith led the transformation of NATO's military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines to improve interoperability and military effectiveness of the Alliance and its partner nations. He also led individual NATO training development and, in collaboration with Supreme Allied Commander Operations, executes training programs for Coalition forces deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.
A native of Virginia and a graduate of Virginia Tech, the general entered the Air Force in 1970 after completing Officer Training School. He has more than 13 years in command during war and peace. He commanded two fighter wings and led two air expeditionary force deployments to Southwest Asia: AEF III and the 4th Air Expeditionary Wing. He served as the Commander of 7th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces; Air Component Commander, ROK and U.S. Combined Forces Command Korea; and Deputy Commander U.S. Forces Korea. The general also served two tours at the Pentagon and was Commandant of the NATO School at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Commandant of the Air War College and Commander of the Air Force Doctrine Center. Prior to his current assignment, he was Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
Director John Suttle Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, BAE Systems, Inc.
John Suttle is Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, BAE Systems, Inc. Previously, Suttle served as Vice President of Communications, BAE Systems Land & Armaments, joining the company in 2007; and as Senior Director of Communications for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Before joining General Dynamics, Suttle was editor in chief of Soldiers Magazine. Prior to this, he served as military assistant for public affairs to the secretary of the Army where he performed duties as press secretary. While in Washington, he was deputy director of Army Public Affairs Marketing in the Pentagon. At the Pentagon he worked on a wide range of programs, including the launch of the "Army of One" recruiting campaign.
Mr. Suttle also spent more than six years overseas and was one of the first soldiers to arrive in Bosnia after the 1995 Dayton Peace Accord. He served as a public affairs officer for the 1st Armored Division and Task Force Eagle.
Suttle served as an Apache attack helicopter pilot and company commander in the Gulf War where he was awarded the Bronze Star. Additionally, he served in Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina as an Apache attack helicopter battalion executive officer.
Suttle serves as a member of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors and is a board member of the Carolinas Freedom Foundation and the Carolinas Aviation Museum. He serves also on the Public Relations Society of America’s Executive Committee and is a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Suttle is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and was selected to attend the Army War College. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science in mass communications/public relations from Lamar University in 1984 and a Master of Arts in journalism/public relations from Marshall University in 1993.
Director Katherine Keith Thomas Community Relations and Economic Development, Progress Energy
A Progress Energy (formerly CP&L) employee for more than 20 years, Katherine currently directs Community Relations and Economic Development in the Carolinas. Throughout her career, she has held a number of management and marketing positions, serving as Manager, Community Relations (Triangle Region), District Manager (Henderson), Western Region Sales Manager (Asheville), and Area Manager (Hartsville/Darlington, South Carolina).
Externally, Katherine has been active throughout the Carolinas, accepting leadership positions in numerous community and economic development organizations. Katherine presently serves on the Boards of Directors for the following: North Carolina Economic Developers Association (Immediate Past President), North Carolina Economic Development Board, North Carolina Rural Center, North Carolina Community College Foundation, Research Triangle Regional Partnership (Executive Board and Foundation Board), Utility Economic Development Association, and Step-Up Ministry Board. In addition, she is a member of the North Carolina Chamber Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee, Meredith College Business Advisory Board, and Duke Raleigh Hospital Advisory Board (Vice-Chair). She is treasurer for the North Carolina Commerce Trade and Development Fund, and a member of the South Carolina Economic Developers Association, Triangle CREW and White Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Katherine was recognized by Business Leader magazine as a Woman Extraordinaire in 2005 for her contributions in business, economic development and the community. She was also honored at the 1999 Women in Business Awards, by Triangle Business Journal for her impact on the Triangle business community.
A past member of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Communities in Schools North Carolina, Wake Education Partnership, CIS-Wake County Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and Coker College Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. Katherine is passionate about community service and the need for each of us to give back and serve others.
She has completed Leadership North Carolina (2000), Leadership Raleigh (1998), and the Duke Executive Leadership and Grinnell Leadership programs.
A native of Gastonia, Katherine is a Meredith College alumnae and magna cum laude graduate.
Katherine and her husband, Dr. Ken Thomas, reside in Raleigh, North Carolina. She and her husband have two grown sons, Will and Cooper.
Director Mike Walsh President, Parsons Commercial Technology Group
Mike Walsh is President of Parsons Commercial Technology Group
(PARCOMM) and is responsible for the business unit's worldwide
operations, which include design, construction and program management in life sciences, telecommunications, education and healthcare.
Walsh has 30 years of experience in the start-up, management, and leadership
of engineering and construction management businesses; and in the design and management,
construction and installation of large developments for the industrial; oil
and gas; and petrochemical industry throughout the world.
He joined Parsons during 2004 when the company acquired Cork, Ireland-based,
MW Consultants. Previously, he was president and owner of MW Consultants,
which he founded in 1990 and grew from a single-person operation to a company
that became a major player in the Irish market, successfully handling the design
and construction of multimillion-dollar euro capital projects. Since late
2006, Mr. Walsh served as executive vice president and global business development
manager of PARCOMM. Prior to that, he successfully managed PARCOMM's Industrial
Division.
Walsh is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow with the Institute of Engineers of
Ireland. He attended the National University of Ireland where he received
a bachelor's degree in engineering.
Emeritus Lieutenant General Martin R. Berndt, USMC, (Ret.)
Following his 2005 retirement from active military service, Lieutenant General Martin R. Berndt has continued to work directly with the military as well as with organizations that support the armed forces.
Berndt currently is a senior mentor to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Staff Training Program; holds a similar position with the Joint Forces Command; and is a member of the Onslow County Military Affairs Committee.
During his 25-year military career, Berndt commanded the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic; U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe; U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South; U.S. Marine Corps Bases, Atlantic; U.S. Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic; U.S. Fleet Marine Force, Europe; the II Marine Expeditionary Force/Striking Force, Atlantic; the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit; and the U.S. Joint Forces Command Joint Warfighting Center.
Other positions he held include that as a Middle East/Africa planner and U.S. military liaison to the West Africa Peacekeeping Force in Liberia. He also was the assistant chief of staff of Headquarters, U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.
Lieutenant General Berndt was commissioned a second lieutenant after his graduation from West Chester University. Following that commission, he attended The Basic School and Vietnamese language school before serving in the Vietnam War.
General Lindsay is president of the Airborne and Special Operations
Museum Foundation, and a senior observer with the Army's Battle
Command Training Program. He served for 38 years in the military
prior to his 1990 retirement.
Lindsay's command assignments range from Platoon through MACOM
in peacetime and war. His early assignments were with the 82nd
Airborne Division and 77th Special Forces Group. He held eight
different positions in the 82nd Airborne from platoon through
division level. In Vietnam, he served with the Vietnamese Airborne
Brigade, commanded the 2nd Battalion 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry
Division, and was the G3, 9th Infantry Division.
As a general officer, Lindsay commanded the 82nd Airborne Division,
the Infantry School, and the XVIII Airborne Corps. He also served
as Commander in Chief, United States Readiness Command and was
the first Commander in Chief, United States Special Operations
Command.
Lindsay's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service
Cross; Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star (with four Oak
Leaf Clusters); Legion of Merit; and Bronze Star with "V" device
(with three Oak Leaf Clusters); Combat Infantryman's Badge; Master
Parachutist Badge; Ranger Tab; and Special Forces Tab.
Currently, General Lindsay is a member of the United States Army Ranger
Hall of Fame and the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame. He
was also the 1996 recipient of the Infantry's Doughboy Award,
and the 1998 recipient of the United States Special Operations
Command Bull Simon Award.
He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska (Omaha)
and a Master of Science degree in foreign affairs from George Washington
University. Lindsay's military education includes the Infantry
Officer Advanced Course, the United States Marine Corps Command
and Staff College, and the National War College.
Lieutenant General Robert D. Springer, USAF, (Ret.)
A public speaker, lecturer and media consultant, Lieutenant General Springer is the military consultant and analyst for CBS affiliate WRAL-TV5 and Fox affiliate WRAZ-TV50 in Raleigh, N.C. He also has appeared on PBS' News Hour, C-SPAN, National Public Radio ABC Radio, and other broadcast media outlets.
Springer is the founding president and current board of directors' vice chairman for the Air Force Memorial Foundation. The Foundation sited, designed and constructed a memorial to the men and women of the U.S. Air Force. President Bush formally accepted the memorial at a dedication ceremony on October 14, 2006.
Prior to his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, he was the Vice Commander in Chief of the Military Airlift Command. During his 36-year military service, he held additional command positions including commander of the Air Force Military Personnel Center with responsibility for executing all personnel policy for all 600,000 uniformed Air Force personnel.
Springer also served as the U.S. Air Force inspector general with responsibility for world-wide force readiness; special investigations; and all fraud, waste and abuse programs.
Lieutenant General Springer is a command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours and 72 combat missions flown in Southeast Asia. During a three-year tour in Germany, he commanded an airlift wing at Rhein-Main Air Base and an airlift division at Ramstein Air Base. While at Ramstein, he directed the airlift of the hostages from Teheran on Inaugural Day, 1981. Later, he commanded the 21st Air Force headquartered at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences and a Master of Science in international affairs, both from George Washington University.
