Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Appoints New President
(PRWEB) November 12, 1999
FORMER USAF ACADEMY SUPERINTENDENT NAMED FREEDOMS FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
Lt. General Robert E. Kelley to Succeed Rear Admiral Richard Ustick
VALLEY FORGE, PA -- Gerald L. Warren, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge announced today that former U. S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert E. Kelley has been named the seventh President of Freedoms Foundation. He succeeds the retiring Rear Admiral Richard C. Ustick, USN (Ret).
“Kelley impressed the search committee with his proven record of success, his dynamic leadership and understanding of the Foundation’s mission and the need for such a mission in today’s society, " Warren said in making the announcement. "An exceptional leader in the public and private sector, he will take the Foundation to the next level, building on the great tradition of this remarkable organization -- educating Americans about America."
Raised in New Canaan, Conn., Gen. Kelley is an aviator, an athlete and an educator. During his Air Force career he held many positions of importance and responsibility including Vice Commander of the Tactical Air Command, Superintendent of the U. S. Air Force Academy and Commander of the Tactical Fighter Weapons Center. He directed the general officer personnel management system and as a planner developed the Air Force fighter modernization strategy for the 1980s. He has more than 4,000 flying hours in tactical fighter aircraft from the F-86 to the F-15 and F-16. He flew 119 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom in Vietnam and holds many military decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal and the Gallantry Cross with Palm.
Following his Air Force career he founded a defense consulting firm and an international sports marketing company. He also served as CEO of the Nevada Development Authority, co-authored: "An Operational Evaluation of the Utility of Thrust Vectoring for Advanced Fighter Maneuvering," was the Senior Military Advisor to the USAF "Gulf War Air Power Survey" and re-engineered a software development company. In 1996, he and his wife, author Patricia Austin Kelley, founded the Wright Stuff Press Arizona. The New York Society of International Affairs published his article on the enlargement of NATO in September 1998.
In 1998, he was chairman of the board for Kids Voting USA. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, the Board of Directors of the Air Force Academy Foundation, the Valley of the Sun Chapter of the Football Foundation and M-Power Corporation.
Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Nevada in 1983, he is a graduate of the National War College, earned his Master of Science from George Washington University and his Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University.
An avid athlete throughout his life, he captained the varsity football and lacrosse teams at Rutgers, was selected All-America three years in lacrosse, and elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985. He was the first varsity lacrosse coach at the Academy and served on the Board of the Lacrosse Foundation from 1994-97. This year, he won a national championship in his age group in squash.
"Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is a very intriguing opportunity for me and the vision of America's School for Citizenship Education inspiring tomorrow's leaders of our communities is exciting and timely. The historic location of the campus was an added feature that made this decision right for Patricia and me. I am looking forward to a long and productive relationship with this world-class organization," Gen. Kelley said.
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is among the nationÂ’s premier organizations devoted to citizenship-based education and the promotion of responsible citizenship. Founded in 1949 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and prominent American business leaders, Freedoms Foundation continues to conduct national awards programs that recognize excellence in education and civic involvement. The FoundationÂ’s National Awards, Leavey Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education, and Distinguished Awards programs have recognized more than 50,000 individuals and organizations since the FoundationÂ’s inception.
With headquarters on an historic 105-acre campus adjacent to Valley Forge National Historical Park, it conducts educational programs for elementary, intermediate and high school students that focus on the balance of rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship in 21st Century America. Freedoms Foundation, with 29 chapters in 17 states, also conducts graduate seminars and workshops for educators that study issues relating history to todayÂ’s problems, responsible citizenship, and the benefits of the free enterprise system.
For more information on Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, visit the web site at www. ffvf. org, or contact the Foundation at 1-800-896-5488.
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