MEDIA

U.S. Naval ACADEMY Alumni Association and FOUNDATION Begins Search for New President and CEO

Contact: Wes Huey, Executive Director, Strategic Communications
USNA Alumni Association and Foundation
410-295-4023

ANNAPOLIS, MD (7 February 2022) – The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation today announced the members of the selection committee who will select the successor for departing President and CEO Byron Marchant ’78.

Marchant announced in December he would leave the Alumni Association and Foundation in March following a successful 13-year term. The position description for the President and CEO position can be found here.

Naval Academy Alumni Association Chairman of the Board of Trustees Admiral Mark Ferguson ’78, USN (Ret.), and Ron Terwilliger ’63, Naval Academy Foundation Chairman, have formed a Joint Search Committee, which they will co-chair, to select Marchant’s successor. Heidrick & Struggles has been retained as the search firm to assist in this effort. 

The selection committee members are:  

Naval Academy Foundation

Vice Admiral John Ryan ’67, USN (Ret.)
JoAnna Sohovich ’93

Athletic & Scholarship Programs

Rear Admiral Julius Caesar ’77, USN (Ret.)
Becky Haase ’94

Alumni Association

Matice Wright-Springer ’88
Donald Horner, III ’08

Staff Liaison

Robert Gast, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, USNA AA&F

The application submission process is underway and will continue until an applicant is selected. The selection committee will review applications and select finalists for interviews.

Admiral Ferguson said the Alumni Association and Foundation seeks a dynamic leader who can sustain the positive momentum achieved during Marchant’s tenure. That includes continuing to provide the margin of excellence that helps the Naval Academy remain the nation’s No. 1 public university and completing construction on the new Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation Center.

“Byron is leaving the Alumni Association and Foundation on sound footing as we look to the future. This will include aiding the Naval Academy to achieve its Plan 2030 goals, providing support to our 66,000-strong alumni community and moving into the new Alumni Center,” Ferguson said.

Ron Terwilliger said the next President and CEO will have an opportunity to help shape the future priorities and direction of the Alumni Association and Foundation. The selection committee is seeking passionate candidates who are committed to serving alumni and delivering the Margin of Excellence to the Brigade of Midshipmen.

“We’re confident a large pool of well-qualified candidates eager to help steer us through the exciting opportunities ahead will step forward and lead us to new heights,” Terwilliger said.

For interest or inquiries about the opportunity, please send an email to USNACEO@heidrick.com.

Equal Opportunity Statement
The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, credit history, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. The Association and Foundation is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation is a non-profit, independent corporation with more than 66,000 members, more than 80 active alumni classes and more than 100 chapters around the world. For more information, visit www.usna.com.