The Naval Institute's hunt for a new CEO/Publisher is over. Tom Wilkerson accepted the Board of Directors' offer to become the Naval Institute's new leader. Tom Wilkerson is a retired Marine major general F/A-18 pilot who has been working in private industry for the past five years since retiring from the Corps. A 1967 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Tom Wilkerson is a 27-year member of the Naval Institute who has served on the organization's Board of Directors/Editorial Board (1992–1997) and the Naval Institute Foundation's Board of Trustees (2000–2002). As a serving officer, Tom Wilkerson wrote for Proceedings, and he frequently has participated in our seminar program as speaker, panelist, and moderator—most recently at Warfare 2003 in Virginia Beach, 8–9 October.
All Naval Institute members, the Board of Directors, and full-time staff owe special thanks to the Search Committee members who invested their time and energy in executing this critical search. We received more than 220 applications for this position. In fact, the Committee braved winds and rain of Hurricane Isabel to conduct interviews on 19 September in Annapolis.
The members of the Board of Directors and Search Committee ask all Naval Institute members, friends, partners, and associates to help Tom Wilkerson lead this organization to new heights.
A number of high-level experts and analysts joined General Wilkerson on the Warfare 2003 program to discuss "Lessons from the Desert Wars." People who registered for the event—nearly 3,000 in all—heard from Chief of Naval Operations Vern Clark (read a transcript of his address).
Admiral William Fallon, USN, joined us for his first major public address since assuming command of Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet. And Major General Ray Smith, USMC (Ret.), and Bing West discussed their book, The March Up: Taking Baghdad with the 1st Marine Division. Panel discussions focused on lessons from Iraq, homeland security, the future of aviation, how best to use the reserves, and dealing with optempo challenges. All sessions were audiorecorded; check out the list, then contact A.V.E.R. Associates at 410-796-8940 to order copies.
General Wilkerson again will be at the podium at a Naval Institute seminar—but in a different role—come early February, where he will share emceeing duties with representatives from AFCEA International at the AFCEA/U.S. Naval Institute Western Conference and Exposition. West 2004 will run 3-5 February at the San Diego Convention Center. For more details and to register for this event, visit www.west2004.org. We look forward to seeing you there.
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