AOG Board Appoints Two New Directors

On March 4, the Association of Graduates announced our certified 2025 election results and noted that the board of directors would vote this month to appoint two new directors. I am pleased to share that Gen. (Ret.) David D. Thompson ’85 and Maj. Jennifer N. Walters ’11 have been selected to join the board as our newest appointed directors. The vote on their appointments was unanimous (13-0) among the directors voting.

Under our bylaws, the board of directors, which governs the AOG, consists of 11 elected directors, up to four appointed directors and the president of the Class Advisory Senate — for a total of 16 directors. Elected and appointed directors serve four-year terms. Following our biennial election cycles, the board appoints two graduates to the board, as we did on April 5, 2021, April 3, 2023, and now March 19, 2025 (the minutes from the March 19 meeting will be posted soon). In the case of the two newly appointed directors, their specific expertise and experience benefit the governance of our Association and align with the Joint Strategic Plan for 2023-2028. Gen. Thompson brings with him a wealth of U.S. Space Force experience and Maj. Walters’ experience as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff speechwriter contributes greatly to the experience of our board. The board also strives, when possible, to ensure every decade of the Long Blue Line has a seat at the table. Additionally, we want to make sure we have active-duty graduates on the board.

Gen. Thompson and Maj. Walters had both submitted letters of interest, and the board met earlier today (March 19), following the scheduling of the meeting on February 18 and the issuance of the agenda on March 11, to discuss all interested candidates and vote on the appointments. The five newly elected directors and the two newly appointed directors will take their seats at the regularly scheduled April 25 meeting and, under our bylaws, serve four-year terms.

This is my final communication as chair of the AOG board of directors. Serving on the board and chairing this wonderful group of graduates have been among the greatest honors of my life. Our Association is in good hands, and I look forward to doing all I can to support the onboarding of our newly elected and appointed board directors and our efforts to support the Academy, serve graduates and preserve the heritage of the institution. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Very Respectfully

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Brian Bishop ’83 Chairman,
Association of Graduates Board of Directors