Alumni

Colonel (COL) Donald E. Alsbro was commissioned as a Reserve officer at Western Michigan University in the Infantry branch and entered the U.S. Army in 1963.  His active duty assignments included platoon leader, 1st Battalion, 15th Brigade (Germany):, 3rd Infantry Division Special Services officer and 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division Sports Officer (Germany); Civil Affairs, 1st Air Cavalry (AM) (Vietnam); Fifth US Army HQ, Ft Sheridan, IL; Chief AG Special Actions, 4th Infantry Division (Vietnam); Chief AG Administrative Services, 23rd Infantry Division (Vietnam); Test Control Officer, Ft Bliss, TX. His USAR service includes Company Commander, 317th Convalescent Center; Operations and Training Officer, 149th Medical Detachment; Executive Officer, 149th Medical Detachment, and six long tours as Medical Coordinator at Camp Ripley, MN and Camp Grayling, MI.

COL Alsbro received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Western Michigan University, a Masters of Arts degree from Roosevelt University, a Master of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University, a Specialist Degree in Educational Administration from Western Michigan University and a Doctorate in Education from Wayne State University. His military education includes: Infantry Officer Basic Jungle Warfare School, adjutant Components National Security Course, Medical Advance Course and several resident and non-resident medical courses.

COL Alsbro’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal for Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Jungle Expert Badge.

COL Alsbro’s civilian occupation is professor of health and physical education, Lake Michigan College. He had developed a wellness program “Dump Your Plump” that has been used by schools and businesses throughout the U.S. in the promotion of exercise and weight loss. He has been selected for inclusion in Who’s Who in Midwest Education (1991) and Who’s Who in U.S. Education (1992).

COL Alsbro is married to the former Sharon Marie Gildea of Kalamazoo, MI. Sharon is a graduate of university High and Western Michigan University. Their present hometown is Benton Harbor, MI. They have three children: Lynn, Steve, and Alan.  Steve is presently serving as company commander for the 542nd Transportation Company in Saudi Arabia.

COL Alsbro’s present USAR assignment is with the Emergency Operations Center, Health Services Command, Ft Sam Houston, TX.

Colonel Arieyeh Austin is a 1997 distinguished military graduate of Western Michigan University where he commissioned in the infantry and received a bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in history. He has also received a master’s degree in human resource management and administration from Central Michigan University and another master’s degree in operational art and strategy from the School of Advanced Military Studies in Leavenworth, Kansas. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the Combined Arms Staff and Services School, the Infantry Officer Advanced and Basic courses, and the Mechanized Leaders Course, and has earned the U.S. Army Ranger Tab, Airborne badge and Air Assault badge. 

Colonel Austin’s first duty assignment was at Fort Drum, New York, where he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division as a Rifle Platoon Leader and then subsequently as the Reconnaissance & Scout Platoon Leader. Upon completion of his duties there, he was assigned as the Company Executive Officer for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, as well as the Assistant Operations Officer. During that time, he deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Joint Forge as a component of the NATO Stabilization Force.

Following this deployment, he attended and graduated from the Infantry Captains Career Course, and then was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division within the Republic of Korea where he served as a Division G3 Current Operations Officer at Camp Red Cloud, South Korea. He was then assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment (Stryker), 3rd Brigade Combat Team, in Fort Lewis, Washington. While there, he served as the Battalion Plans Officer and subsequently assumed Command of C Company, 52 Infantry Regiment (Stryker). The Brigade became the first operationally deployed Stryker Brigade Combat Team in history in 2003 when they deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During operations within Iraq, Colonel Austin and the 3rd Brigade Combat Team spearheaded the assault and under heavy resistance assisted in seizing the cities of Samara, Mosul and Tal Afar. Following the deployment to Iraq, Colonel Austin was selected to serve as the Aide De Camp for the Deputy Commanding General, First Corps, Ft. Lewis, Washington.

Upon completion of these duties, Colonel Austin moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was assigned to the Mission Command Training Program (MCTP). While there he served as the Chief of Exercise Control, where he planned, coordinated and synchronized the development of the Armies War Fighter Exercises at the Army Division, Corps, and Army Service Component Command Level. He then attended and graduated from the Command and General Staff College and subsequently was assigned to 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York, as the Brigade Plans Offices, and then to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment where he served as both the Operations and Executive Officer. During that assignment, the Brigade Combat Team deployed to Regional Command South, Afghanistan, where it successfully neutralized enemy activity prior to transitioning operations to Afghan Forces in support of national elections and the drawdown of U.S. Forces.

Upon redeployment COL Austin attended the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and then was assigned as the Deputy Combined Joint J-5 in the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division to Combined Joint Task Force-101 (CJTF-101) in Regional Command East, Afghanistan. He continued in this position until assigned as the CJ5 and then G5 upon redeployment. Upon completion, Colonel Austin was assigned to U.S. Army Cadet Command, where he served as the Professor of Military Science at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama. Following this, he assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 310th Infantry Regiment, 181st Infantry Brigade at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. He relinquished command two years later and assumed a position at the Mission Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he currently is assigned to Operations Group A. His latest endeavor recently had him assigned to Operation Afghan Refuge, where he was the lead planner for Task Force Eagle, coordinating with Joint, Multi-National, and Interagency organizations to assist in the evacuation of our Afghan Special Visa Immigrants from Afghanistan.

During Colonel Austin’s continued 25 years of service, he has had five overseas deployments. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (2 Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (7 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (4 Oak Leaf Cluster), The Expert Infantry Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Ranger Tab, Army Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

Colonel Robert C. Barrett, a native of Royal Oak, MI, graduated from Royal Oak High School in June 1953 and Western Michigan University in 1957 with a Degree in Business Administration. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps, after completing the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Western Michigan University. His military education includes the completion of the Basic and Advanced Quartermaster Officer Courses, the Infantry Officer's Basic Course, Special Forces Officer Course, the Army Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

During his career he served in troop units as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Quartermaster Company Commander, Supply Officer in the 5th and 6th Special Forces Group, Supply/Logistics Officer, Allied Command Europe Mobile Force and Commander of the 553rd Supply and Service Battalion, Ft Hood, Texas. He commanded the Defense Depot Mechanicsburg, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and was Deputy Commander of the 1st COSCOM, Ft Bragg NC. He held staff positions as an Advisor to the Republic of Vietnam Chief Quartermaster, Personnel Assignment Officer in the US Army Military Personnel Center, Director of Training Development in the US Army Quartermaster School, Ft Lee, VA, and Logistics of the Combined Field Army (ROK/US).

Colonel Barrett's last assignment was as Command and US Army Logistics Management College, Ft Lee, Virginia. He served overseas in Alaska, Germany, Vietnam, Grenada, and the Republic of Korea. Colonel Barrett's awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachute Wings, Special Forces Tab, and foreign awards from the Republics of Vietnam and Germany.

Colonel Barrett retired on August 31, 1987.

Colonel Barrett is married to the former Shirley Kossen of Grand Rapids, Michigan and they have three children, Robert III, Randi and Terri.

COL (R) Charles E. Beauchamp, Jr. was born in Monroe, MI on August 22, 1942. After entering the Army as an enlisted man in 1960, he served with the 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard) in Washington D.C. While assigned to the Old Guard, he was selected and served as a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery

Following his enlisted service, he enrolled at Western Michigan University and entered the ROTC program. In 1966, he graduated as a Distinguished Military Student and obtained a commission as an Infantry Officer. After completing the Infantry Officer's Basic Course, he attended helicopter flight training at Ft. Rucker, AL and graduated from flight school in 1967. His initial assignment was as a medical evacuation pilot at Ft. Benning. In 1969, he was assigned to Vietnam and served as Troop Operations Officer and Executive Officer with the Troop C, 7th Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry where he logged 1,000 hours of flight time. The 7/1 Air Cav was stationed in Vinh Long and operated in the IV Corps Tactical Zone.

After his return from Vietnam, he remained on active duty and was assigned to the Army Flight Training Center at Hunter Army Airfield, GA and served as an instructor and aide-de-camp to the Commanding General. In 1973, he completed the Infantry Officer's Advanced Course, Airborne, and Ranger training at Ft. Benning and was subsequently assigned to the 9th Infantry Division at Ft. Lewis, WA where he commanded a rifle company, served as S-3 to the 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, S-3, 10th Aviation Battalion, and interim aide-de-camp to the 9th Division Commanding General. Upon completion of graduate school and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS in 1979, he was selected as an instructor and exchange officer to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. He later served with the Forces Command Staff at Fort McPherson, GA on the J-1 staff and as aide-de-camp to the Force Command Commanding General. His career continued with battalion command and in 1989 was assigned to Korea with the ROK-US Combined Forces Command as Commander, Combat Support Coordination Team #3 in support of the Third Republic of Korea Field Army in Yongin, South Korea.

His decorations and badges include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor, Bronze Star (2), Air Medals (32), Air Medals for Valor (2), Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star for Valor, ROK Master Aviator Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Badge, and numerous others. Colonel Beauchamp retired from active duty in 1992 and began win-king in Seoul, South Korea as the Assistant Program Manager with an invited contractor. His son, Charles III, a recent graduate of Washington State University, lives and works in Seattle.

Major General Charles Forrest Briggs was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on 29 January 1934. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in History in 1956 and commissioned as a Reserve Officer in the Adjutant General Corps. While at Western, he was a member of the TKE Fraternity. Upon completion of the Adjutant General Officer Basic Course in 1957, he was assigned to Fort Devens, Massachusetts.

After receiving a commission in the Regular Army, General Briggs attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course in 1959 and subsequently served a two-year infantry tour in the 3rd Armored Division. He completed this tour in Germany as Personnel Management Officer, Office of the Division Adjutant General. From July 1963 to July 1965, he served as an Action Officer at the Department of the Army Headquarters (HQDA), Office of Personnel Operations. In July 1965, General Briggs was assigned to South Vietnam as Personnel Advisor to the Joint General Staff, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. General Briggs returned in 1966 to HQDA for duties in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (DCSPER) and later in the Office of the Chief of Staff.

From July 1970 to July 1971, General Briggs served as Adjutant General of the 4th infantry Division in Vietnam and as Director of Military Personnel, U.S. Army, Republic of Vietnam, before being assigned to the U.S. Army Pacific Adjutant General Office. He headed the Education Directorate of TAG from July 1973 until his August 1975 appointment as Training and Doctrine Command Adjutant General. General Briggs returned to Washington in May 1977 as Chief, Enlisted Division, HQDA, DCSPER. In August 1978, he was selected Deputy TAG. General Briggs assumed command of the Reserve Components Personnel and Administration Center in St. Louis in July 1980. This key position was followed by assignment as the Commanding General, 1st Personnel Command; Adjutant General, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army; and Commander, Heidelberg Military Community in August 1982. He arrived at Forces Command Headquarters in September 1984 as the DCSPER and retired from that position I March 1986.

General Briggs was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge.

He earned his Master of Arts degree in Personnel Administration from George Washington University in 1967 and was a graduate of the Adjutant General Officer Advanced Course, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the National War College. In addition to his degrees from Western Michigan University and George Washington University, he attended the Advanced Management Program at Emory University and the Senior Executives in Government Program at Harvard University.

General Briggs is married to the former Doris Lower of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Doris was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and a 1955 graduate of WMU. They have two sons, Steven and Charles.

COL Burchard has had a distinguished career in both the Active Army and Michigan National Guard. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery in June 1965 through Western Michigan University Army ROTC. Upon reporting to active duty, he attended the Artillery Officer Basic Course and was then assigned to 1/35 Field Artillery, 24ID, Munich, Germany where he served as a Fire Direction Officer. He was then transferred to Fort Bragg, NC where he served as a Training Officer and later in the 5/42 Field Artillery serving as a Battery Commander.

Upon leaving active duty, then First Lieutenant Burchard joined the Michigan Army National Guard and was assigned as Detachment Commander, 1/246th Armor in Three Rivers, MI. In July 1971, he assumed command of HHC, 1/246 Armor in Dowagiac, MI. He served in a number of staff positions within the 1/246th Armor Battalion until assuming command of the battalion in April 1980. After completing battalion command and promotion to Colonel, he assumed command of the 46th Infantry Brigade of the Michigan National Guard. His culminating assignment was as Post Commander for Fort Custer Military Training Center in Battle Creek, MI where he served until his retirement in May 1988. Throughout his years of service, he served over half of his career as a Detachment, Battery, Company, Battalion, Brigade, or Post Commander. As a Battalion and Brigade Commander, he was in Europe on two occasions, the National Training Center in California, and has had extensive experience with the Partnership Program while visiting numerous military units and posts throughout the United States.

COL Burchard is a graduate of the Army’s Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, the Armor Officer Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff College. His awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (Third Oak Leaf Cluster), and National Defense Service Medal.

COL Burchard is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and a teaching certificate. Additionally, he earned a Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance from Western and has done extensive work on his Doctorate program while in the Educational Leadership Program.

Colonel Glennie Burks, Military Police, United States Army, 200th Military Police Command is the G3/5, responsible for training and operations for more than 12,000 military police and civilians and provides oversight of an annual budget that exceeds $50 million.

Prior to his current assignment, Burks was the Deputy Assistant Commandant at the U.S. Army Military Police School, where he was responsible for ensuring the Army Reserve’s interests were addressed across the DOTMLF domains. He was the primary advisor to the Military Police Command Commander on Reserves training, education and leader development.

Burks served as the Deputy Defense Coordinating Officer for FEMA Region VI in Denton, Texas. His assignment to U.S. Army North was designated by the Secretary of Defense to coordinate all Department-of-Defense-related activities with other agencies conducting Homeland Defense and Civil Support operations.

During his career, Burks served more than 12 years at Tarrant County (Texas) Juvenile Services, where he was key in the development and implementation of the department’s Sexual Offender Program. Burks has also commanded a company, served as the battalion S3 and the Command Inspector General. Other assignments include Secretary General Staff to the Commanding General, 75th Battle Command Training Division and Deputy Public Affairs Officer at USF-I J9, Iraq.

A resident of Michigan, Burks graduated from Western Michigan University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also holds a master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and is a doctoral candidate in environmental policy. Burks graduated from the Military Police Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Service Staff School, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College-ILE. He completed fellowships at RAND Arroyo and the Senior Service College at Harvard University.

Burks’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Joint Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star Device, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with two bronze stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Colonel Robert Chant began his military career in 1954 after earning a commission as a Second Lieutenant through Western Michigan's newly formed ROTC program. He was a distinguished military graduate and three-year letter winner in football as well as being among the first commissioned officers in 1954.

His initial military assignment was Fort Lee, Virginia followed by a combat arms tour in Artillery at Fort Bliss, Texas. Subsequent key assignments included the 101st Airborne Division (Kentucky); 11th Parachute Maintenance and Air Delivery Company, 8th Infantry Division (Europe); ROTC instructor, Michigan State University; 1st Air Cavalry Division (Airborne), Vietnam; Department of the Army Staff (Pentagon); US Army Natick Laboratory (Massachusetts); 45th Support Group, 24th Infantry Division (Hawaii) and Comptroller, US Army Armament Command (New Jersey). He served in all troop leading positions from Platoon Leader to Group Commander with four different type Army Divisions (Airborne, Airmobile, Infantry and Mechanized).

Col Chant specialized military training includes basic Artillery, Logistics, Teaching, Management and Comptrollership as well as being Airborne, US Army Ranger, Parachute Packing, Maintenance and Air Delivery. He earned a Master's Degree while at Michigan State University. He was the Army's Logistics representative selected to attend the US Air Force Command and Staff College and is a graduate of the military's senior service school, the US Army War College.

His many awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service with cluster, the Air Medal, Army Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign with device, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf cluster, Meritorious Unit Citation, Master Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, Cross of Gallantry with palm, Overseas Service Badge (2), and the Presidential Unit Citation.

After a rewarding military career, he retired in 1979. He continued to work as an administrator for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 1998, he was recognized by the Governor of Ohio, his birthplace, for his 40 years of outstanding government service.

COL Chant is married to the former Sally A. Daugherty of Monongahela, Pennsylvania. Their two daughters Lisa and Tara, share family recreational interests in boating, water skiing, gymnastics, golf and photography.

Colonel (Retired) Edward Gene Clysdale, born in Owosso, Michigan graduated from Western Michigan College in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English and a teaching certificate. He was commissioned as a Reserve Officer in the Quartermaster Corps but was branch detailed to Engineers.

Reporting to the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Colonel Clysdale completed the Engineer Officer Basic Course and the Airport Engineering Course. He was subsequently assigned to the Fifth Air Force in Korea in 1954 and served on year a a Company Executive officer with the 839th Engineer Aviation Battalion at Osan, Korea. He completed his two year tour as a company Basic Training Officer with the 6th Armored Division at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Upon leaving the Active Army in 1965, Colonel Clysdale married, started his teaching career and joined the then, 415th Civil Affairs Military Government Company. He stayed with the 415th Civil Affairs Company for 21 years, serving as a Civil Affairs Specialist, Operations Officer, Executive Officer and completed his last four years as the Commanding Officer. His last reserve assignment, before retirement was as the U.S. Military Academy Cadet/ROTC Liaison Officer for Southwestern Michigan.

Colonel Clysdale received a Master of Arts in Elementary Administration and a Master of Science in Librarianship from Western Michigan University. His military education includes the Civil Affairs Company Basic and Career Officers Course, the Army Intelligence Officer Advanced Course (2nd year), the National Security Management Course or the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Command and General Staff College (Reserve Component).

Colonel Clysdale's military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal and the Expert Carbine and Pistol Badge.

Except for a two year teaching assignment as a Department of the Army Civilian in France, Colonel Clysdale was in the Kalamazoo Public School System for 30 years; 10 years as a teacher and 20 years as Head Librarian at Kalamazoo Central High School.

Colonel Clysdale was married to the former Barbara A. Kremble of Grand Rapids, Michigan (WMU '52) and they have two sons; Ned and Matthew. Colonel Clysdale passed away on 19 December 2011 in Kalamazoo.

Lieutenant Colonel John T. Colburn was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1942. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. While attending Western he was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity. He earned his Master's Degree from Wayne State University in 1967, an entered active duty in February, 1968.

During his two years active duty at Fort Gordon, Georgia, he served as a Public Education officer at the 95th Civil Affairs Group, as a Training Officer at the First Basic Training Brigade, and as the Operations Officer of the Center Consolidated Motor Pool in the Services Directorate of Fort Gordon.

Lieutenant Colonel Colburn joined the Army Reserve as soon as he was released from active duty. During his 26 years as a Reservist, he served the 415th Civil Affairs Company in several positions from Motor Officer to Assistant Operations Officer, and the 4160th U.S. Army Reserve Forces School as an instructor, Director of Officer Courses, and Assistant Commandant. His last assignments were with the 1st Brigade of the 85th Division (Exercise), Fort Sheridan, Illinois where he was the Assistant G-5 (Civil Military Operations Staff Officer), the G-1 (Administration and Personnel Staff Officer), and the Scenario Development Director in the Battle Projection Group. He is a graduate of many Army schools including graduating on the Commandant's List from the Army Command and General Staff College.

Lieutenant Colonel Colburn's military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with twoOak Leaf Clusters, and the Overseas Service Medal.

Lieutenant Colonel Colburn was a teacher in Michigan public schools for over 31 years before he retired, and now he is a Financial Advisor working for a major brokerage firm. He is married to the former Nancy Clark of Bangor, and they have two grown sons. He is a volunteer working with the American Red Cross handling military family emergencies, and he has served on several boards at Portage United Church of Christ.

Colonel Michael A. Dangerfield was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Adjutant General Corps in 1979 as an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate from Western Michigan University where he received a Bachelors of Science in Political and Environmental Science. He was the first African American Cadet Battalion Commander for the University’s ROTC “Bronco Battalion”. He later obtained a Masters degree in Education from Michigan State University and a Masters of Strategic Studies from the Army War College while on Active Duty.

Colonel Dangerfield last assignment on active duty was as Associate Director of Program and Budget Integration Office of the Secretary of Defense, Personnel and Readiness where he was responsible for the programming and budgeting of 60% of the Total Obligation Authority for the Department of Defense. His past assignments have been focused on assistance to operations at the strategic and tactical levels; Assistant Chief Administrative Services Division & Assistant Chief Personnel Management, 25th Adjutant General Company, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI; Adjutant & Budget Officer, 500th Military Intelligence Group, Camp Zama, Japan; Adjutant, Support Battalion & Budget Officer, Group Headquarters, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Ft Bragg, NC, Budget Officer, 300th Military Police Command (Enemy Prisoner of War), Inkster, MI,; Chief Internal Review, 90th Regional Support Command, North Little Rock, AR; Chief, Management Analysis Branch (Chief Financial Management Office) and Director, Resource Integration Office (Army Reserve Engineer) with the Office of the Chief, Army Reserve, Pentagon, Washington DC: Director, Resource Management (Army Reserve Division) and Director, Army Competitive Sourcing, Assistant Chief of Staff, Installation Management, Pentagon, Washington DC: Deputy Director, Resource Management, Installation Management Command, Arlington, VA and Executive Officer, Assistant Secretary of Army (Financial Management and Comptroller).

His military education includes: Army War College, Army Management Staff College Command & General Staff Course, Combined Arms Service & Staff School(CAS ³), Professional Military Comptroller School, Adjutant General Basic Course, Adjutant General Advanced Course, Battalion S-1 Course, Advanced Military Police Qualification Course, Resource Management Budget Course, Planning Programming Budgeting & Execution, Resource Management Tactical Course, Resource Management Quantitative Analysis, Resource Management Budget (Reserve) Basic Auditing Course, Senior Auditing, Advanced Auditing Techniques, United Army Audit Agency Auditing Course, Instructor Training, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Team Training & Airborne School.

His decorations includes: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Armed Forces Reserve Medal(2nd Award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Panama), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award) Parachutist Badge, Department of the Army Staff Identification Badge & Office of the Secretary Defense Identification Staff Badge. Additionally he was permanently awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Army Meritorious Unit Award.

Colonel Dangerfield and his spouse Sharon have three children, Myles, Maya, and Marcus. He retired in Manassas, Virginia and is working as Civilian with the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He is an active member of Antioch Baptist Church and serving as a league director and volunteer coach for multiple soccer teams with Prince William Soccer Association.

Colonel (COL) John P. Dunn began his service in the U.S. Army in November 1945 as an antitank gun crew member. His first assignment was in Seoul, Korea with the 24th Corps where he served in the 282nd AGF Band. He was released from active duty in August 1947. He enrolled in ROTC at Western Michigan University in 1950. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received a commission in the first ever commissioning class from Western in 1951. He has also earned a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1957.

COL Dunn’s military education included the Civil Affairs/Military Government Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Quartermasters Corps Company Officer Course, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Security Management Course, and the Command and General Staff College.

He joined the 415th Civil Affairs Company in 1948 and served in various unit assignments including that of Commander. His active duty assignments include service in Germany from 1952-1954. His last active reserve duty was that of an instructor at the Command and General Staff College in the USAR system.

COL Dunn’s decorations and badges include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Occupation of Japan and Germany Medals, Victory Medal World War II, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Component Achievement Medal.

COL Dunn’s civilian career has been that of a teacher in the Ludington and Kalamazoo Public Schools. He has been an Administrator in the Kalamazoo Public Schools serving as Principal of Central High School, South Junior High and Lincoln School. He has also acted as Coordinator of Public Schools for Kalamazoo Public Schools which included meeting Federal Court mandates for assignment of students in grades K-12 and liaison with Federal, State and Local Courts. COL Dunn was also the President of Michigan Pupil Accounting and Attendance Association. He has since retired from Michigan Public Schools with 42 years credit.

Brigadier General Thomas N. Edmonds was born on 4 February 1947. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1969 where he earned a Baccalaureate Degree in Business Administration. In 1975 he received a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. He attended the Police Academy in 1981 and Jail Management and Operations, US Department of Justice in 1982. He completed the Air Command and Staff College in 1989. He completed Air War College in 1995 as an Outstanding Graduate.

General Edmonds was promoted to Brigadier General October 31, 2000. He retired as vice commander of the Michigan Air National Guard October 2, 2004.

He received his Commission as a Second Lieutenant in June of 1969 as a Distinguished Military Graduate of Army Reserve Officer's Training Corps. Western Michigan University. He served on active duty and reserve duty with the Army until June 1988 when he was appointed a Major in the Air National Guard. Since his appointment in the Air National Guard, General Edmonds has served as a flight commander, squadron commander, and group commander. He served on active duty in Germany and Vietnam.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star Device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Army Overseas Service Ribbon.

General Edmonds served 5 elected terms as Sheriff of Kalamazoo County. He retired from the Office of Sheriff on November 15, 2003 and joined the faculty of the Haworth College of Business, Western Michigan University. He teaches courses in commercial and criminal law.

General Edmonds is a Past President of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association and the National Guard Association of Michigan. He is a member of the VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America and the Fraternal Order of Police.

General Edmonds and his wife Nancy reside in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Colonel John E. Erickson graduated from Western Michigan University (WMU) in 1971. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Engineering Technology with a minor in Business Administration. While attending Western he was the president of the WMU Ski Club for three years and a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. In 1975 he received a Masters of Business Administration from Columbus State University and graduated from the US Army War College in 1997.

He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in April 1971 after graduating from the Military Science program at WMU. Twenty-one years later, on December 15, 1992, he was promoted to Colonel. While serving on active duty, he became the Company Commander of a unit responsible for retiring and discharging thousands of soldiers returning from the war in Vietnam. After extending his active duty tour, he became the Chief of Personnel Actions Branch, helping soldiers who were having difficulty managing their personal and military careers and civilian finances. COL Erickson often refers to this assignment as being the “Ann Landers” of Fort Benning, Georgia.

As a citizen/soldier in the Army Reserves, he served on various command and senior staff positions with the 416th Engineer Command and the 86th Army Reserve Command. One of his command assignments included being the designated Battalion Commander for three major Personnel Service Companies (PSCs) and a Postal Unit. This command updated over 2,050 personnel records for 12 major reserve units, conducted Preparation for Overseas Movement for 15 units activated during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and provided Military Occupational Specialty qualification training to all PSC unit members. At the same time, he was the Director of Personnel responsible for managing the administrative actions for 15 subordinate units.

Throughout his civilian career of more than 30 years in information technology, he provided management consulting expertise to Fortune 500 Corporations searching for opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This included instituting Total Quality Management Initiatives, streamlining work flows, managing large computer system integration projects, and providing advice on the selection of enterprise-wide computer technology. He has extensive experience in distribution, manufacturing, logistics, and finance from a supply chain integration perspective.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon 2nd Award.

After serving 3 1/2 years on active duty and 25 years in the Army Reserves, he retired from the Army Reserves in 2000. Colonel Erickson and his wife Cher reside in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.

Colonel Rod Faulk was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in September 1965. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Western Michigan University in December 1987. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant from Western Michigan University Army ROTC in April 1986.

Colonel Faulk has held numerous assignments from company to brigade level. He served as Platoon Leader for the 755th Maintenance Company in Battle Creek, Michigan; Battalion Adjutant and later as Headquarters Company Commander for the 406th Maintenance Battalion, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Company Commander for the 310th Maintenance Company in Jackson, Michigan; Battalion S-2/3 and later as Battalion Executive Officer for the 406th Corps Support Battalion; Maintenance Officer for the 645th Area Support Group, Southfield, Michigan; and Communications Officer for First Army Regional Emergency Preparedness Liaison Team V, Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois. Colonel Faulk served as Deputy Inspector General, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from 2002 to 2003 and later as Inspector General for the 300th Military Police Brigade, Inkster, Michigan. Colonel Faulk assumed command of the 785th Military Police Battalion in 2004 and deployed the battalion to Iraq to exercise command and control of the world's largest military detention facility at Camp Bucca, Iraq from 2005 to 2006. He then served as Chief of Staff for the 300th Military Police Brigade from 2006 to 2008, deploying again to Iraq with the brigade headquarters from 2007 to 2008. He served as Deputy Commander, 300th Military Police Brigade, Inkster, Michigan from 2008 to 2010. He is currently assigned as Commander, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (Rear), Indianapolis, Indiana.

Colonel Faulk's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster. Colonel Faulk is a Distinguished Military graduate from Western Michigan University.

Colonel Faulk earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration from Wayne State University in 1993. His military education includes Quartermaster Officer Basic Course; Ordnance Officer Advanced Course; Combined Arms and Services Staff School; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; Military Police Branch Basic Course; and the U.S. Army Inspector General School. Colonel Faulk graduated from United States Army War College in 2009.

Colonel Faulk's civilian career includes experience in banking and technology management at Comerica Bank, ADS Financial Services Solutions in Boston, Massachusetts and also with IBM. He is currently working as a Project Officer in Systems Acquisition for the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support at Warren, Michigan.

Colonel (COL) James Frego was born in Dolton, Illinois on March 20, 1941. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree and received a commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in June 1965. He has also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Loyola University in 1977.

COL Frego's military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, Reserve Component National Security Course and the U.S. Army War College.

His active duty assignments include Platoon Leader and Assistant S-3, 79th Field Artillery Giessen Germany and Executive Officer, Charlie Company, 5th Battalion, 1st Training Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. COL Frego served as Commander, Battery C, 4th Battalion, 39th Field Artillery Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He also served as Reconnaissance and Survey Officer/FDO, HHB, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery. COL Frego culminated his active duty career as Assistant S-2/FDO, Headquarters, 108th Field Artillery Group-Vietnam.

 His reserve career began in September of 1968. In November of 1968 he took Command of HHB, 434th Field Artillery Group. He also served as the Adjutant (S-1), Intelligence Officer (S-2), and Operations Officer (S-3) in the 434th Field Artillery Group. He has served as Executive Officer, Headquarters, 7th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery. He served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer of the 43rth Field Artillery Brigade. COL Frego has commanded the 7th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery and 85th Division Training Group, 85th Division (Training). COL Frego has also had numerous other positions of great responsibility to include Assistant Chief of Staff, G1, Headquarters, 85th Division (Training), Administrative Officer, ODCSPER (IMA), Director Fire Support Element, 85th Maneuver Exercise Command, 85th Division (Training), and Director, Field Artillery Branch, 85th Division (Ex). He is currently serving as G-3, 1st Brigade, (BCST), 85th Division (Ex).

COL Frego's decorations and badges include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with One Service Star, Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Service Stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Device, Army Service Ribbon, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.

COL Frego is also Senior Project Manager for Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Illinois. As the Senior Manager for Projects he is responsible for identification and managing of project scope, cost, and schedules all phases and design and construction.

Colonel Christopher Garver began his career in the ROTC Program at Western Michigan University (WMU) in 1984. While in the battalion at WMU, he served in numerous cadet leadership positions. He also served for four years in the WMU Rangers. He was the only WMU cadet in his year group to earn the highest possible rating during ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft Lewis, WA. During his final year in ROTC, he served as a Simultaneous Membership Program cadet and Second Lieutenant in C Co., 2nd BN, 126th INF Regt. of the Michigan Army National Guard in Wyoming, MI. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1988 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He left the National Guard when he entered active duty in January 1989. 

After completing the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Ft Benning, GA, he was assigned to 4th ID at Ft Carson, CO. He served as a platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, assistant operations officer, and company executive officer in 2nd BN, 12th INF, 1st BDE, 4th ID. After graduating from the Infantry Officer Advanced Course as the Distinguished Honor Graduate, he served as a brigade plans officer in 2nd BDE, 2nd ID, Republic of Korea.  He then served as a company commander in 3rd BN, 327th INF Regt, 101st ABN (Air Assault).

After command, COL Garver attended the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Course in preparation for his next assignment as the Public Affairs Observer/Controller for the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Ft Polk, LA. At JRTC, he was responsible for effective public affairs techniques training. Following this assignment, he served as a brigade assistant operations officer of 5th BDE, 87th Div. (Training Support) and the battalion executive officer of 1st BN, 345th Regt (Engineer)(Training Support) at Ft Jackson, SC. He then served as the Public Affairs Operations Officer for Ft Leavenworth, KS. He deployed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the PAO and the Deputy Operations Officer for Army Forces Central Command – Saudi Arabia, which served as a provisional air defense brigade during the initial ground operations of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). He then returned to Ft Leavenworth and served as the Public Affairs Observer/Trainer for the Battle Command Training Program (BCTP), where he trained Public Affairs sections and provided personal training.

After BCTP, he spent a year as an adjunct managing supervisor with Fleishman-Hilliard International Communications in New York City in the Army’s Training with Industry Program. Following that assignment, he was selected to stand up the 10th Public Affairs Operations Center (PAOC), the Army’s only active duty public affairs operations center at Ft McPherson, GA, and deployed with the 10th PAOC to Baghdad in support of OIF. While assigned to the Multi-National Force–Iraq (MNF-I) Communications Div., he served as the Combined Press Information Center Director, where he managed the media operations for MNF-I, the American Forces Network broadcast hub, and the Iraqi Media Engagement Team. He also served as the daily spokesperson for MNF-I.

After returning from Iraq, he moved the 10th PAOC to Ft Bragg, NC.  He then served at Ft Meade, MD, as the chief of the Initiatives Group of the Army Public Affairs Center (APAC), the doctrinal center of Army Public Affairs. After six months at APAC, he served as the military deputy of the Media Relations Div. of Army Public Affairs at the Pentagon, executing and synchronizing public communications for Army Headquarters. He has served in that position for 2½ years before returning to APAC as the Director. During his year as Director, he was responsible for developing and publishing the Army Public Affairs 2020 Roadmap, laying out a strategic vision for Army Public Affairs into 2020. Garver recently returned from Afghanistan where he served as the Chief of Public Affairs for the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Kabul.  In this role, he led the public affairs effort for the IJC and across six Regional Commands.

COL Garver holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from WMU, a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts from Louisiana State University, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Defense Information School, Ft McNair, Washington DC. His awards include the Bronze Star (1 OLC), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

COL Christopher Garver is the Chief of Public Affairs for the US Army’s III Corps at Ft Hood, TX. He synchronizes the public affairs effort for the corps headquarters, four US Army divisions, and eight separate brigades.  He also provides public affairs support to the Commanding General of III Corps and Ft Hood as a member of his personal staff. 

Colonel Americus Gill currently serves as the Division Chief Operational Contract Support and Joint Staff Director of Logistics at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He was commissioned as an Armor officer in 1992 from Western Michigan University, graduating as a ROTC distinguished military graduate.

His previous assignments include Tank Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader and Regimental Maintenance Officer, Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. Gill transitioned to the Ordnance Corps serving as Company Commander 81st, Armor Regiment; Contracting Officer, Tank Automotive Armaments Command; Aide-de-Camp, Commanding General, Tank Automotive Armaments Command; Lead Contracting Officer, 502nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division; Chief of Contracting, JTF Guantanamo; Chief of Operations and Plans and Executive Officer, 410th Contracting Support Brigade; Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam; S-3, 412th Contracting Support Brigade, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam; Director, Defense Contract Management Agency; Chief Field Support Division, Expeditionary Contracting Command; and Commander 411th Contracting Support Brigade, Camp Coiner.

COL Gill holds master’s degrees from both the U.S. Army War College and the University of Texas, and earned his bachelor’s degree in manufacturing administration from Western Michigan University. COL Gill is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level III certified in contracting and Level I certified in program management. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College and Command and General Staff College.

His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (five Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Parachutist Badge.

COL Gill is married to Barbara Hume Gill. They live in Virginia with their three children and are proud grandparents of three boys.

A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Colonel Gottlieb was one of the first recipients of the Army's ROTC Scholarship Program in 1965. A Co-Captain of the WMU track team he was elected President of the WMU Letterman's Club for two years and served on the WMU Presidents Student Advisor Council. As Distinguished Military Graduate he earned his degree and was commissioned in the Regular Army in 1968.

Upon completing Armor branch qualification at Ft. Knox, KY and Ranger School at Ft. Benning, GA, he was assigned to various leadership positions in Armor and Infantry units and a Brigade headquarters in the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Ft. Carson, CO. Finishing Airborne Training at Ft. Benning and Rotary Wing Training at Ft. Rucker, AL, he was promoted to Captain. Completing Cobra Gunship Training he was assigned to combat aviation leadership positions in Vietnam with the 123rd Aviation Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division (Mechanical) and is the last remaining officer on Active Duty in the Army who served in that Division.

From Vietnam he was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division in Germany where he served in Armor leadership assignments and then in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate. Resigning his Regular Army commission in 1975 he accepted a Reserve Commission and served in the Ready Reserve until 1983. Volunteering for training and on special tours he acted as an aviation officer at Ft. Ord, CA and at Ft. Hunter Leggett, CA as the airfield commander, in the Headquarters, United States Army Europe, Heidelberg, Germany, and in the Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command, Ft. Monroe, VA in operational, training and personnel positions and was promoted to Major.

While in the Ready Reserve he owned his own business in London, England and was later employed as a Department of Army Civilian and served as Chief, Postal Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Postal Group Europe, and next as an International Agreements Negotiator in Headquarters U.S. Army Europe in Heidelberg, Germany.

Returning to Active Duty in 1983 in the Active Guard and Reserve Program he managed the Army Reserve's largest flight facility at Naval Air Station Dallas, TX until 1985 when he was assigned as an Aviation Personnel Manager at the Army Reserve Personnel Center, St. Louis, MO. He branch transferred from Armor to Aviation in 1984. In 1987 he was assigned to the Pentagon to become the Army Reserve Aviation Force Integrator in the Office, Chief Army Reserve. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel he then served as the Division Chief for all Army Reserve Force Integrators. In 1990 he served as the Army Reserve Command Manager in the Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans on the Army Staff. Moving to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs in 1994 he served as a Senior Military Reserve Assistant to Secretary and was promoted to Colonel.

Retiring in 1996 he was immediately recalled to Active Duty to serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of the Army. Assigned as Executive Officer to the Chief Army Reserve until his retirement in 1998 he was then reassigned as a Senior Board Member and the Reserve Component Advisor to the Army Review Board Agency and today serves as a voting member on the Army Clemency and Parole Board, on all Officer Elimination Boards, on the Army Physical Disability Appeals Board, the Army Discharge Review Board, the Army Grade Determination Board and the Army Security Review Board and as special advisor to the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records.

His decorations, badges and unit awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal w/2 Oak Leak Clusters, Air Medal w/5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, Army Reserve Components Achievements Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Twenty Year Hour Glass, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Three Campaigns, Overseas Service Bars 2, Ranger Tab, Parachute Badge, Senior Army Aviator, Army Staff Badge, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award w/3 stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.

Glenn J. Gross is a second generation California native, born in Los Angeles. His father was in the construction industry and the young Mr. Gross spent his early years moving from school to school through the West Coast, Japan and South America. He graduated high school in New Jersey, attended Rutgers University for one year and began his studies at Western Michigan University in the fall of 1964. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant through the ROTC program in April, 1967. He received his Masters in Economics from Western Michigan University in 1968.

He began active duty at Ft. Lee, Virginia, October, 1968, where he completed the Quartermaster Officer's Basic and Advanced Courses and then was assigned to the New Cumberland Army Depot in Pennsylvania as a grant aid administrator to Southeast Asia. Subsequently, LT Gross spent one year with the 19th Supply & Service Company in Vietnam where he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Bronze Star.

Upon leaving the Army, Mr. Gross joined Kransco Manufacturing Company and spent 25 years in various positions, culminating as Senior Vice President. As a member of the executive committee, he helped orchestrate the growth of Kransco into the largest privately-held toy company in the United States with popular consumer brands, including Wham-O*, Power Wheels*, Morey Boogie*, Hydroslide*, Hacky Sack*, Frisbee* and Hula Hoop*. Mattel Toy Company purchased Kransco in 1994.

Mr. Gross joined Camelbak* in 1995 as President and CEO. During the next 10 years, Camelbak* was transformed from a small niche recreational product used mainly by mountain bikers into the worldwide premier brand in personal hydration with over 120 products designed for a variety of recreational, military and industrial uses. Camelbak's Government and Military Division provide products specifically developed for a vast array of end users. Camelbak* is combat tested and is essential equipment carried by all branches of the United States Military, Border Patrol, FBI, Custom Service, National Parks, Secret Service, and many law enforcement agencies.

Camelbak* has been covered by numerous media outlets, including USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, New York Times and MSNBC. Camelbak* was sold to an investment banking firm in 2003. Mr. Gross retired in 2006 and lives in Alamo, California. He is the proud father of a son and daughter, is a classic automobile enthusiast, enjoys off-road racing, and plays a barely acceptable game of golf.

*Wham-O, Power Wheels, Morey Boogie, Hydroslide, Hacky Sack, Frisbee, Hula Hoop, and Camelbak are all trademarked names.

Colonel Robert Craig Ham is a Permanent Associate Professor of Geography, in the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He is serving as a Visiting Professor for academic year 1992-1993 in the Department of Military Strategy and Operations at the National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, DC.

Born in 1946 in Niles, MI, COL Ham graduated from Western Michigan University in 1968 with a BA in Education and a major in Group Sciences. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in the Military Police Corps. He earned an MA in Geography in 1976 from University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Geography in 1986 from University of Kentucky. His Professional Military Education includes the Military Police officer Basic Course in 1969, The Military Police Officer Advanced Course in 1974, and U. S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1983.

COL Ham's troop assignments include Platoon Leader and later Company Commander of 285th Military Police Company in Baumholder, Germany; Assistant Chief of the Criminal Investigations Branch in the Office of the Provost Marshal, USARV, Long Binh, Republic of Vietnam; Drug Suppression officer/Serious Incident Report Section Chief and later Assistant Operations Officer in the office of the Provost Marshal, USARV/MACV Support Command, Saigon; Battalion Executive officer in the 728th Military Police Battalion, Taegu, Republic of Korea, and Project officer in the Combined Arms Concepts Division, Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, KS.

COL Ham's distinguished military teaching career includes multiple assignments at United States Military Academy (USMA) at WestPoint as an Instructor, Assistant Professor, then Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Space and Graphic Sciences; Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Computer Science; and his current position as Permanent Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering. He has also held numerous administrative positions at the USMA. COL Ham has also taught Geography at the University of Michigan and at the University of Kentucky.

COL Ham's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross (w/palm) Unit Commendation. His scholarly pursuits include numerous publications, editorial projects, research activities, conference presentations, and other services to the academic profession.

COL Ham is married to the former Vicki Lynn O'Konski and they have five children: Kelly, Debra, Todd, Elizabeth and Stephanie.

COL Michael J. Huddleston grew up in Hartford, Michigan and graduated from Hartford High School in 1978. In the fall of 1978, COL Huddleston enrolled at Western Michigan University and played football for the Broncos. In 1981, COL Huddleston attended the Basic Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky and was awarded a two-year ROTC Scholarship. As a cadet, COL Huddleston attended Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. and the Cadet Advanced Camp at Fort Lewis, Wash. He graduated as a Distinguished Military graduate from WMU in 1983 and has a Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political Science and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Branch in April, 1983.

As an active-duty officer, COL Huddleston served at several duty assignments to include Fort Bragg, N.C., Fort Rucker, Ala., Seoul, South Korea, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Fort Ord, Calif., and in Iraq during Desert Shield/Storm. His positions included Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion/Brigade Staff Officer and Company Commander.

COL Huddleston transitioned into the Minnesota National Guard in 1993 and has held numerous positions to include Battalion S-3, Brigade XO, Assault Battalion Commander and Attack Battalion Commander. He is presently the Director of Army Aviation for the Minnesota National Guard.

He is a graduate of Airborne School, Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course, Jump Master Course, Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course, Aviation Officer Advance Course, Air Assault School, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Foreign Area Officer School, Defense Language School (French), Command and General Staff College, Joint Firepower Control Course and the Aviation Pre-Command Course.

COL Huddleston is a master aviator with over 2,000 helicopter hours. His awards include the Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (6), Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, South West Asia Campaign Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, two Overseas Service Ribbons and the Minnesota Service Medal. He has also received the Order of St. Michael, Bronze Award.

He is the son of Von Dean and Elizabeth Huddleston of St. Joseph, Michigan. He has been married for 26 years to the former Nancy Creed of Kalamazoo, Mich. and they have two children, Michael Jr. and Andrew.

Colonel Michael T. Katona grew up in Rochester, Michigan and is a 1994 Distinguished Military Graduate of Western Michigan University.  He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry.  He holds a bachelor's degree in Organizational Communication from WMU, and a masters degree in Management from Webster University.  His first assignments after the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School were as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Anti-Tank Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer in the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. 

Upon completion of the Infantry Officers Advanced Course, CAS3 and the Bradley Leaders Course, COL Katona served as the commander of Delta Company, later reflagged to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry at Ft. Carson, Colorado. He was then selected to serve in 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Ft. Benning, Georgia.  He served as Battalion Adjutant and Personnel Officer (S1), and commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, deploying to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom II and IV and to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom I. 

Following graduation from the Command and General Staff College, he was assigned to Ft Lewis, Washington, as the Operations Officer (S3) of the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (Stryker), later reflagged as 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry (Stryker).  He served as the Brigade S3 of 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker), deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon leaving Ft Lewis, he served as a Joint Special Operations planner in J35 (Global Synchronization), U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. 

COL Katona then took command of the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Ft Riley, Kansas.  He deployed the Squadron to Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, and led 4-4 CAV in counterinsurgency operations in the Arghandab River Valley while attached to 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain.  After Battalion Command, he served in the Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison, as the Deputy Chief of the House Liaison, and Senate Liaison Divisions on Capitol Hill. COL Katona recently served as the Strategy Division Chief, Office of the Chief, Army Legislative Liaison at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.  COL Katona is currently attending the Senior Service College at the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

His military education includes Airborne School, Mountain Warfare School, Infantry Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, Ranger School, Air Assault School, Bradley Leaders Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Jumpmaster School, and the Command and General Staff College.   His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (three oak leaf clusters), Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with Valor and silver leaf cluster), Joint Service Achievement medal, and Army Achievement Medal (four oak leaf clusters).   He has earned the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge (with Combat Jump Star), Air Assault Badge and Thai and German Jump Wings.

He is married to Kathleen, and they have three daughters; Natalie, Ava, and Audrey.

Chief Warrant Officer Four Herbert Kenz was born in St Ignace, Michigan on 2 July 1928. He graduated from Sault Ste Marie High School in 1946 and attended Michigan College of Mining and Technology from 1948-1950. He transferred to Western Michigan University, College of Education where he earned his degree in Secondary Education in 1952. Mr. Kenz was a Distinguished Military Student in the Bronco Battalion and a Distinguished Military Graduate in May 1952, the second group of cadets to ever be commissioned through the WMU ROTC Program. he completed a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan in 1963.

His military career spanned five decades from 1946 until 1988 and covered World War II and the Korean War. He served as an enlisted soldier in the occupation forces in Japan from 1946-1948 and then the U.S. Army Reserve from 1948-1950 in the Infantry Branch. In June of 1952, Mr. Kenz accepted a Regular Army Commission as a Quartermaster Officer and subsequently served nineteen months in Korea with the 8th Army Artillery as a Gun and Range Platoon Leader, Battery Executive Officer, and Battalion Maintenance Officer. He also served with the 622ned Military Police Company, 8th Army, in Kobe and Nagoya Harbor, Honshu, Japan investigating black market activities.

Upon his return to the United States, he completed the Army Procurement Course, the Quartermaster Company Grade Course and served as the Executive Officer for the ROTC Training Company at Fort Lee, Virginia. In 1956 Mr. Kenz resigned his RA commission and reentered the Active Reserve. In 1965 he applied for and received his Warrant. From 1965 to 1983 he wa a member of the Army Reserve, 317th Medical Convalescent Center in Kalamazoo, the 334h - 323rd General Hospital (Attached) in Grand Rapids and the 401st Clearing Company in Kalamazoo. His final five years were spend as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee with Headquarters Command, 1st Army Headquarters, Fort Meade, Maryland. He retired in July 1988 with a full ceremony from the Army Reserves after a combined total service of 42 years.

His awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation (Japan) Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the United Nations Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

On the civilian side of his career, Mr. Kenz spent thirty years in education as a high school teacher and counselor, and as Associate Director of Student Financial Aid at WMU. He began his teaching career as a high school Social Studies Teacher and counselor at Harper Woods High School in 1958. In 1965 he was offered a job at WMU as the Director of Student loans. In 1968 he became the Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. In 1978 he was promoted to Associate Director and in 1984 he was assigned as Acting Director. In 1985 he resumed the Associate Director title until he retired from Western Michigan University after 23 years of service in 1988. He taught Government and Economics in the adult education program for the Kalamazoo Public School System for 11 1/2 years while working full time at WMU.

Herb is married to the former Jean Gray of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. They have six children; Joe, Bill, Kathie, Debbie, Kevin and Kris. They have ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren at the time of this bio.