The National Defense University Foundation Augments its Board of Directors with Leaders from Texas A&M's Bush School of Government & Public Service, KBR, and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Defense University (NDU) Foundation announced three new NDU Foundation Board Members including two NDU Alumni.

New NDU Foundation Board Members:

• Lieutenant General Jay B. Silveria (USAF Ret.), Executive Director of Texas A&M University's Bush School of Government & Public Service, served as the Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy where he directed cadet training, academics, athletics, and character development. Throughout his illustrious military career, Silveria served as Deputy Commander of US Central Command for Southwest Asia, Commander of USAF Warfare Center, and as a Command pilot with 3,900 flight hours in F-15 and F-35 aircraft. Silveria is a graduate of NDU's National War College.
  
• Nicola "Niki" Johnson, Vice President of Government Affairs and Strategic Communications & Operations with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI). GA-ASI's mission is to support the warfighter and civil operations through its industry-leading Unmanned Aircraft Systems that have revolutionized defense technology. Johnson is a well-known national security and defense policy expert and defense industry executive. Previously, she served in a number of roles in the Under Secretary of the Air Force – International Affairs and the Office of the Secretary for Policy managing large international portfolios, acting as a country and regional director and Senior Policy Advisor. Johnson is a graduate of NDU's Eisenhower School and is a military spouse whose husband serves as a physician in the U.S. Navy.
  
• Steven Francis, Director of Business Development, KBR Government Solutions. KBR advances the priorities of the U.S. government and related commercial entities around the globe. As the team behind the mission, KBR provides high-end services and expertise in scientific research, systems engineering, data analytics, and mission operations. Francis has served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves for over 23 years in multiple leadership roles and is an expert in emergency preparedness, environmental programs, operational support, readiness, and disaster response.

"These new NDU Foundation Board members bring unparalleled expertise on the world's evolving and dynamic geopolitical complexities, national security policy, and Joint Force all-domain operations," NDU Foundation Chairman RADM Michael Manazir (USN, Ret.) said.  "I am honored to welcome Lieutenant General Jay Silveria (USAF, Ret.), Niki Johnson, and Steven Francis to accelerate our support of NDU's critical priorities and focus on NDU as the most comprehensive leadership development program in the national security community."

"General Jay Silveria, Niki Johnson, and Steven Francis bring unsurpassed experience and insider understanding to the NDU Foundation that will enable significant impact for NDU," Foundation President James Schmeling noted. "Additionally, Johnson's experience as a military spouse informs our work on talent retention and family support of students and alumni."

About the National Defense University Foundation
Located at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, the NDU Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused exclusively on supporting NDU. The Foundation provides NDU with vital resources to protect our democracy and ensure peace by educating and developing agile leaders prepared to think critically, strategically, and creatively to produce innovative and holistic solutions.

About the National Defense University
Under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NDU is the nation's preeminent higher education institution for advanced national security strategy and leadership development.  NDU's five accredited post-graduate colleges have prepared over 20,000 civilian and military professionals from the U.S. and over 75 allied countries to serve as tomorrow's decision and policy makers at the highest levels of command in military, government, and private industry.  To learn more, please visit NDU.edu and NDUFoundation.org

SOURCE National Defense University Foundation

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