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GEN Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret.
President & Chief Executive Officer
General Sullivan is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of the United States Army, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Since assuming the presidency in 1998, General Sullivan has overseen the transformation of the Association into a dynamic 100,000+ individual and 500+ sustaining member organization that represents Soldiers, families, and the defense industry. |
His responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer encompass both daily business operating and strategy planning for the largest Army-oriented non-profit association. The Association promotes and advocates programs for Soldiers and their families, creates opportunities for Army-Industry and professional dialog; advocates public awareness of Army and national security issues through its educational mission and maintains an outreach program to national leadership on critical issues pertinent to Army readiness.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Quincy, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Armor and awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Norwich University in 1959. He holds a Master of Arts degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire. His professional military education includes the U.S. Army Armor School Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. In addition to his many awards on active duty, he is also the recipient of the West Point Association of Graduates’ Sylvanus Thayer Award and a member of the Sergeants Major Academy’s Hall of Honor.
General Sullivan retired from the Army on 31 July 1995 after more than 36 years of active service. He culminated his service in uniform as the 32nd Chief of Staff—the senior general officer in the Army—and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is the co-author of Hope Is Not a Method (Random House, 1996), which chronicles the enormous challenges encountered in transforming the post-Cold War Army through the lens of proven leadership principles and a commitment to shared values. He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Norwich University and the Marshall Legacy Institute as well as a member of the MITRE Army Advisory Board and a Corporate Member of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
General Sullivan is married to the former Gay Loftus of Quincy, Massachusetts; they currently reside in Alexandria, VA. He has three children and three grandchildren. He is an avid reader, amateur historian, and active sailor and sport fishing enthusiast.
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LTG Thomas G. Rhame, USA, Ret.
Vice President, Finance & Administration
Lieutenant General Thomas G. Rhame, USA (Ret.) was born in Winnfield, Louisiana, on January 27, 1941. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1963. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree with a comptrollership specialty from Syracuse University. General Rhame’s military education includes the Infantry Basic and Advanced Courses, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College.
General Rhame retired from the Army on September 30, 1997, and his last military assignment was as the director of the Defense Security Assistance Agency. Before that, General Rhame was the chief of the U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia. During Operation Desert Storm, General Rhame was the Commanding General, 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One"), Fort Riley, Kansas. Under his command, "The Big Red One" successfully conducted the initial attack to penetrate Iraqi defensive positions, conducted the rapid passage of lines for the 1st British Armored Division, and conducted a night attack against elements of the Iraqi Republican Guard. Additionally, his units conducted a rapid exploitation and attack into Kuwait to cut off Iraqi units attempting to escape from Kuwait and hosted the cease fire talks in Safwan, Iraq.
Prior to his Command of the 1st Infantry Division, he served as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, United States Army, and Commander of the US Army Community and Family Support Center in Washington, DC. He also served as Commander, 2d Brigade, 3d Infantry Division in Kitzingen, Germany; Chief of Staff, 3d Armored Division in Frankfurt, Germany; and Assistant Division Commander, 3d Armored Division and Community Commander of the Hanau Military Community.
General Rhame served as the Senior Advisor to the 1st Brigade, 40th Infantry Division of the California National Guard during the period 1978-1980.
General Rhame also served two tours of combat in Vietnam, his first in 1967, commanding B Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry; his second in 1971, serving as a District Senior Advisor with USAMACV.
General Rhame received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), the Distinguished Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), the Silver Star (with oak leaf cluster), the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with "V" Device (with two oak leaf clusters), the Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), the Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device. He also wears the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army General Staff Badge, and the OSD Identification Badge.
General Rhame is married to the former Linda Saunders of Lecompte, Louisiana. They have two children: Becca lives in Woodbridge, VA and Gregg, his wife Pam and daughters, Taylor, Ashley and Emily reside in Stafford, VA. General Rhame joined the AUSA staff on May 28, 1998.
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LTG Roger G. Thompson, Jr., USA, Ret.
Vice President, Membership & Meetings
Lieutenant General Roger G. Thompson, Jr., USA Ret., is responsible for AUSA National support to 122 chapters worldwide, total membership in the three categories of national sustaining members, corporate members at chapter level and the individual membership. He serves as the Chairman of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, and is also responsible for AUSA’s five symposia in key Army operational areas, the Winter Symposium and AUSA’s participation in four international defense trade shows in support of the Army. Additionally, he is responsible for the Association’s support of Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Programs, National Guard, Army Reserve, the ROTC program and chapter training.
General Thompson has commanded at all levels through Army Major Command. He began his 34-year career in field artillery where he commanded firing batteries in Fort Hood, Texas, and Vietnam. As an Army logistician, he commanded an early deploying transportation company, an Army port battalion, and the 37th Transportation Command in Europe, and Military Traffic Management Command (currently named - Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command). He served three times in the Department of the Army Staff. His last position there was Director of the Army Budget. He completed his military career as the Deputy Commander in Chief, United States Transportation Command. During his career, General Thompson served in the 1st Armored Division, 82d Airborne Division, 3d Infantry Division and VII Corps Headquarters.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the United States Military Academy, a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Syracuse University, and a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He attended the Army’s Command and General Staff College and the Naval War College.
He is married to Inga Marie Rexing. Their daughter Colleen lives in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and their son Brendhan and his wife, Jessica live in New Orleans, LA.
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LTG Guy C. Swan III, USA, Ret.
Vice President, Education
Lieutenant General Guy C. Swan III currently serves as an AUSA Vice President. During more than 35 years of active service he commanded at every level through Army Service Component Command. A career armor/cavalry officer, his general officer assignments included Commanding General, United States Army North/Fifth Army; Commanding General, United States Army Military District of Washington and Commander, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region; Commanding General, 7th Army Training Command, United States Army Europe/Seventh Army; Chief of Staff and Director of Operations, Multi-National Force-Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom; Director of Operations, United States Northern Command; and Chief of Army Legislative Liaison.
General Swan's other key assignments included Commander, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment; Assistant Deputy Director for Strategy and Policy for the Joint Staff; and Deputy Operations Officer for the 1st Armored Division during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
A 1976 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, General Swan holds a Master of Military Art and Science degree from the United States Army's School of Advanced Military Studies. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and was a National Security Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
General Swan is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Aspen Homeland Security Group, and the FEMA National Advisory Council. He is also a Certified Emergency Manager(CEM) and a Certified Protection Professional (CPP), board certified in security management.
General Swan is married to the former Melanie Taylor Curry of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They have two children: Ryan, a cadet at West Point, and Melissa, who is a high school student-athlete.
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CSM Jimmie W. Spencer, USA, Ret.
Director, Noncommissioned Officer & Soldier Programs
CSM Jimmie W. Spencer a native of Mobile, Ala., enlisted in the
U.S. Army in December 1961 and the following month began his
military career at Fort Chaffee, Ark. During his 32 years of active
military service, CSM Spencer has had a variety of assignments
with conventional forces, Special Forces and Ranger Units.
CSM Spencer became the director of Noncommissioned Officer & Enlisted Affairs, Association of the United States Army, August 23, 1993. On February 12, 2001, NCO & Enlisted Affairs became a separate new directorate in the Membership & Meetings Division, and the name was changed to Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Programs. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Army Historical Foundation, the Association of Special Operation Professionals and the Washington, D.C. Civil War Round Table.
CSM Spencer frequently serves as a senior mentor for the Pre Command/Command Sergeant Major Designee Course held at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.
CSM Spencer is married to the former Susan Turgeon. They have two children, Melissa and Michelle, and five grandchildren, Polly, Spencer, Christian, Atticus, and Nora.
Assignments:
· 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky.
· 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) (Airborne) Republic of Vietnam
· 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
· 3rd and 7th Special Forces Groups (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
· Military Advisory Command, Republic of Vietnam
· Special Forces A Detachment with the Berlin Brigade - Team Sergeant
· 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash. - First Sergeant
· Army ROTC, Wafford College, Spartansbury, S.C.
As Command Sergeant Major:
· Florida Ranger Camp, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
· 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Devens, Mass.
· 2nd Engineer Group, Yongsan, Korea
· 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea
· Combined Field Army (ROK/U.S.) in Uijongbu, Korea
· U.S. Total Army Personnel Command, Alexandria, Va.
· U. S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Education:
CSM Spencer holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of the State of New York. In 1968, he completed Special Forces Training at the JFK Special Warfare School. His other military education courses include Special Forces Weapons, Advanced SCUBA, and Jungle Operations Training Courses. He is a 1980 graduate of the Sergeants Major Academy. CSM Spencer is a graduate of both the U.S. Army and Republic of Korea Ranger Schools and the Canadian Airborne School.
Awards and Decorations:
· Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster
· Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster
· Purple Heart
· Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
· Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
· Air Medal
· Vietnam Honor Medal
· Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
· Combat and Expert Infantryman, Master Parachutist, SCUBA, Pathfinder and Jungle Expert badges
· Ranger and Special Forces Tabs
· Canadian, Spanish, Ecuadorian and Republic of Korea Parachutist badges
· The National Infantry Association Order of Saint Maurice in the Rank of Primicerius
· Member of the Ranger Hall of Fame (2004)
· Infantry Doughboy Award Recipient (2009)
· Inducted into United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Hall of Honor (2010)
Affiliations:
CSM Spencer is a life member of EANGUS (Enlisted Association of the National Guard) and a life member of: the Association of the United States Army, the Army Historical Foundation, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Association, the Infantry Association, the Special Forces Association, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Special Operations Centurion Club, 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, the 82d Airborne Division and Ranger Regiment Associations. Additionally, CSM Spencer is a life member and past National President of the U.S. Army Ranger Association.
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CSM Donald E. Thomas, USA, Ret
Assistant Director, Noncommissioned Officer & Soldier Programs
CSM Thomas, a native of Fairfax, Va., was drafted into the United States Army on January 26, 1971. After completing Basic and Military Police Advanced Individual Training, he was assigned to numerous installations both stateside and overseas. CSM Thomas concluded his career as the Command Sergeant Major, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, and Eighth United States Army, Yongsan, Korea.
CSM Thomas began serving as the Assistant Director of NCO & Enlisted Affairs, now known as Noncommissioned Officer & Soldier Programs, Association of the United States Army, shortly after his retirement.
Education:
His military education, in addition to Basic and Advanced Individual Training, included Military Police Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Military Police Investigation Course and the United States Army First Sergeant Course. CSM Thomas is a graduate of the United States Sergeants Major Academy Class #31, Fort Bliss, Texas. He also holds an Associate in Arts Degree from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of the State of New York.
Overseas Assignments:
Military Policeman, Company B, 385th Military Police Battalion, Stuttgart, Republic of Germany
Platoon Sergeant/Internal Security NCO, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium
First Sergeant, Military Police Company, United States Chemical Activity, Johnston Island
Command Sergeant Major, 92nd Military Police Battalion, Republic of Panama
Command Sergeant Major, 8th Military Police Brigade, Yongsan, Korea
Stateside Assignments:
Squad Leader, Safeguard Command Military Police Company, Nekoma, N.D.
Training, NCO, 437th Military Police Company, Fort Belvoir, Va.
Military Security Force, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C
First Sergeant, 259th Military Police Company, White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
Provost Sergeant Major, Air Defense Center & Fort Bliss, Texas
Command Sergeant Major, 720th Military Police Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas
Awards & Decorations:
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal (fifth award)
Joint Service Commendation Medal (second award)
Army Commendation Award
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Army Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Ribbon (numerical five)
Military Police Hall of Fame (2004)