Mark P. Hertling appointed as Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission as well as 10 Commissioners
ARLINGTON, Va. (Sept. 29, 2021) – Today, President Joe Biden announced the appointment of retired Lt. Gen. Mark P. Hertling as the next Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) and the following as ABMC Commissioners:
- Darrell L. Dorgan
- John L. Estrada
- Florent Groberg
- Amy Looney Heffernan
- Matthew E. Jones
- Raymond D. Kemp, Sr.
- Bud D. Pettigrew
- Michael E. Smith
- Gail Berry West
- Dan P. Woodward.
Hertling served more than 37 years in the U.S. Army prior to being sworn is as Secretary of the ABMC. In this AMBC role, Hertling, in concert with the appointed Commissioners, will work to ensure the agency and its efforts continue to fulfill the commitment made by ABMC’s first Chairman, Gen. of the Armies John J. Pershing, that ‘time will not dim the glory of their deeds,” to include leading ABMC into its next century of service in 2023.
Available Biographies:
Secretary
Mark P. Hertling
Lieutenant General (retired) Mark Hertling served as a tanker and cavalryman, commanding at every level from tank and scout platoon leader on the East-West German border to Commander of U.S. Army, Europe and 7th Army. Hertling saw combat with a cavalry squadron during Desert Storm, as an Assistant Division Commander in Baghdad, and as the Commander of 1st Armored Division and Multinational Task Force Iron in Northern Iraq. His military awards include multiple Distinguished Service Medals, Legions of Merit, Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and decorations from Germany, Romania, Poland, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Hertling is a 1975 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He holds master’s degrees from Indiana University, the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), and the National Defense University, and in 2019 he earned a doctorate from the Crummer School of Business, Rollins College. Hertling is married to his best friend, Sue, and has two sons and five grandsons.
Commissioners
Darrell L. Dorgan
Darrell Dorgan is a North Dakota native and an award-winning journalist who worked as a television news director/anchor for 25-years. He is married with two daughters and currently chairs Dakom Communications/Dorgan Films, a corporation involved in real estate and producing television documentaries. Dorgan is a Vietnam Veteran who belongs to AMVETS, VFW, DAV, and the American Legion. He was appointed to the American Battle Monuments Commission for eight years by President Obama and to the Kennedy Center Advisory Board by President Clinton. He has also served on the North Dakota Historical Society Foundation Board for 25-years, as the head of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame and chaired the recent North Dakota World War I Centennial Commission.
John L. Estrada
Ambassador John L. Estrada served as a volunteer member on the Joe Biden Presidential Transition Agency Review Team for the Department of Defense. He also served as the United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago from 2016 to 2017, and the 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007 during his 34 years of active duty. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he went to work for Lockheed Martin Corporation as Senior Manager for Lockheed Martin Training Solution Incorporated. Ambassador Estrada is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Southern Watch. His personal awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He is a former board member for Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance for members of the military, those wounded, and the families they leave behind. He is also a former member of the board of governors for the USO, former member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, former member of the Executive Advisory Council for Mission Readiness, and former Commissioner with the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Florent Groberg
Florent "Flo" Groberg served in the United States Army from 2008 to 2017 and is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military honor, for his extraordinary gallantry, intrepidity and heroism while serving in combat operations in Afghanistan in 2012. Today, Groberg leads the Microsoft Azure Global Government M360 Mission Solution Team. He is responsible for working with governments worldwide to identify key missions and systems that should operate on the Azure Cloud. He holds a master's degree in management with a specialization in intelligence policies from the University of Maryland University College in College Park, Maryland. He is married to Carsen Groberg, with whom he has a dog named V and a cat named Ranger.
Amy Looney Heffernan
Ever since her late husband, LT (SEAL) Brendan Looney was killed in Afghanistan on September 21, 2010, and awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, Amy Looney has served as an inspirational champion for families of fallen service members, military families, veterans, and American troops. Serving as Vice President of the Travis Manion Foundation, Amy leads a national movement focused on empowering veterans and families of the fallen to foster the next generation of leaders in the mission to unite communities to strengthen America's national character. She is dedicated to carrying on the legacy of her late husband and friend, Travis Manion, who are buried side by side in Arlington National Cemetery. A personal tragedy fueled an impassioned advocate to inspire, motivate, and empower individuals, communities, and a nation, to honor the fallen by challenging the living. A consistent voice to the national conversation and advocacy of veterans and families of the fallen, Amy is frequently invited to address national audiences on Fox News, CNN, CBS, TED-X, in written publications such as the Washington Post, and multiple personal appearances spanning the U.S. She is the co-author of the newly released book, The Knock at the Door. Amy received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Johns Hopkins University and her Master’s in Public Administration from George Washington University. She currently resides in the Chicago area with her husband, Joel, daughter, Grace and dog, Payton.
Matthew E. Jones
Colonel Matthew E. Jones commands the 89th Airlift Wing, home of Air Force One, where he is responsible for worldwide special air mission airlift, logistics, and communications support for the President, Vice President, cabinet members, combatant commanders, and other senior military and elected leaders. A three-time combat airlift commander, Colonel Jones also served in numerous Headquarters U.S. Air Force and Joint positions including as the Special Assistant to the Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Prior to his current assignment Colonel Jones was the installation Commander at Dover AFB Delaware, home of the Department of Defense’s largest mortuary, fulfilling our nation’s sacred commitment of ensuring Dignity, Honor and Respect to our fallen and Care, Service and Support to their families. Colonel Jones, who is a native of Arizona, resides at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland with his family. He is a distinguished graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a B.S. degree and has master’s degrees from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, the Army War College, and the University of Pittsburgh’s KATZ Graduate School of business.
Raymond D. Kemp, Sr.
Raymond D. Kemp Sr. is a United States Navy veteran who culminated 33 years of service as the Fleet Master Chief of Europe and Africa. While on active duty, he served six presidents, completing 11 combat deployments, with 19 years of sea duty. In times of high conflict, he provided training and mentorship for Sailors during the execution of their lethal duties. As the Fleet Master Chief of Europe and Africa, he had oversight and influence over 56,000 service members, civilians, contractors, and family members. He is the founder of Kemp Solutions LLC, a Leadership Development and Resilience Building company. With an ever-present heart for the warrior, he also serves as Vice President on the board of Mystic Warrior Foundation. This organization helps transitioning service members cope with the challenges of PTSD and combat-related stress. Raymond also serves on the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation and Wings Over America boards, which provide scholarships to service members and their families.
Bud D. Pettigrew
Bud Pettigrew is a former Marine and teacher who has acted as Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party since 2009. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1982-1983, before being medically discharged as a result of a broken neck. Pettigrew taught History and coached football, wrestling, and track in various Nebraska public schools from 1989 to 2009, then was a project manager at the Minnechaduza Foundation in Valentine, Nebraska from 2010-2020. The Foundation develops and supports scientific, clinical, and community initiatives that support improved health of Great Plains dwellers, while promoting and preserving their unique cultural and historical values. He is a three-time Morrison-Exon Award winner for the Nebraska Democratic Party, was a 2012 Nebraska national delegate for President Obama, and a 2020 Nebraska national delegate and whip captain for President Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. Pettigrew holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Social Science Education from Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska, and did graduate work in History at Wayne State College in Nebraska. He and his wife Angela have two sons, Arthur and Evan.
Michael E. Smith
Michael E. Smith is a retired navy Rear Admiral who recently co-founded and led the American College of National Security Leaders, a national security think tank committed to strengthening the United States’ national security initiatives by informing the debate, influencing decision-makers, and educating the public. During his 32-year naval career he commanded at all operational levels from the commanding officer of the navy’s newest destroyer to command of an aircraft carrier strike group. He served as the Special Assistant to two Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where his team conducted independent research and provided unfiltered direct advice on the most strategic and pressing national security topics. In his first flag officer assignment he was the director of the Navy’s Strategy and Policy Division, where he oversaw a broad Pentagon, legislative, and Navy-wide portfolio, including responsibility for integrating emerging national strategy with Navy and Defense policy initiatives. Smith is currently an Adjunct Research Associate for the Institute for Defense Analysis, where he leads a diverse international team facilitating defense transformation efforts through in-country advisory and consulting services to the most senior Indonesian military and government officials. He also Chairs the Board of MVLE, a dynamic non-profit that caters to the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities through specialized services that foster personal and professional growth.
Gail Berry West
Gail Berry West is a retired attorney who formerly headed both the Washington Office of Armstrong World Industries (1995-2003) and Bell Communications Research (1983-1995). She began her career as a corporate attorney in the Office of the General Counsel of IBM. She was an appointee of the Carter Administration, where she held positions as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Patricia Roberts Harris; Staff Assistant to the Interdepartmental Task Force on Women under Sarah Weddington; Assistant to President Carter, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force in Manpower and Reserve Affairs. She is the widow of the Honorable Togo D. West, Jr., an attorney and former Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the Clinton Administration.
Daniel P. Woodward
Dan Woodward retired from the Air Force as a Brigadier General, following more than 28 years of distinguished service. While in the Air Force, General Woodward served in a variety of operational and staff positions, including tours as a Wing Commander and as a flag officer on the Joint Staff and the Air Staff. He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 military flight hours and is married to his college sweetheart, retired Air Force Major General Maggie Woodward. Following retirement from the Air Force, General Woodward served as Vice President, Integrated Solutions, General Dynamics Information Technology. After leaving his position with General Dynamics, he became Executive Director of Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, a nationwide collegiate nonprofit that builds young military and civilian servant leaders through the lessons found in community service, unique professional development experiences, and education. He continues to serve in this position.
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Media members requiring additional information may contact the ABMC Public Affairs Office:
Office: +1 (703) 584 1534
Cell: +1 (571) 388 0912
Email: McSeveneym@abmc.gov
About American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC):
The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) operates and maintains 26 cemeteries and 32 federal memorials, monuments, and commemorative plaques in 17 countries throughout the world, including the United States. The four memorials in the United States are: the World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.; the Honolulu memorial located within the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii; the West Coast Memorial located within the Presidio National Park in San Francisco, Calif; and the East Coast Memorial located within Battery City Park in New York, N.Y. Since March 4, 1923, ABMC’s sacred mission remains to honor the service, achievements, and sacrifice of more than 200,000 U.S. service members buried and memorialized at our sites. For more information about ABMC, visit abmc.gov.