On January 22, 2024, the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation Advisory Council and Board of Trustees convened, both in-person and virtually, for the 4th Annual Advisory Council Meeting. The purpose of the annual meeting is to update the Advisory Council on NPS progress and initiatives. This year’s meeting was focused on Naval Innovation Center (NIC) at NPS progress and to assess the way forward with the help of the Advisory Council.
The Hon. Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, joined remotely to reaffirm his commitment to the NIC, which he first announced in December 2022, and to provide an update on his investments in NPS to the esteemed leaders in attendance. Del Toro emphasized the critical role played by transformative technologies emerging from the Naval Postgraduate School, citing real-time examples of laser and weapons systems currently deployed in the Mediterranean and Middle East, and conveyed his appreciation to both the Advisory Council and the Board of Trustees for their unwavering commitment to strengthening national security and supporting the NPS mission.
The meeting also included presentations from NPS President, retired Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau, who shared insights into the institution's vision and strategic direction, and NPS Provost, Dr. Scott Gartner, who provided valuable updates on academic initiatives. Additionally, two current students, Lt. Alex Evans and Capt. Brian Allen, presented their ongoing research on 5G technology for military applications, showcasing the importance of CRADAs with industry partners, in their case Qualcomm, to advance the important research taking place at NPS.
Since the beginning of 2023, the Advisory Council has proudly welcomed four new distinguished members, including The Hon. Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defense, David O’Reilly, former Chevron CEO, Anthony Noto, SoFi CEO and Jim Davis, Founder of Allegis Group. These individuals bring profound expertise and insights that will guide leadership and propel the mission of NPS and the NPS Foundation forward.
The NPS Foundation AdvisoryCouncil, chaired by retired Adm. Michael Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief of Naval Operations, was established in 2020 to guide and advance our efforts to support the Naval Postgraduate School. The Advisory Council is comprised of accomplished experts from both the military and private industry who are poised to offer innovative strategies and diverse perspectives to our Board of Trustees and NPS leadership. Their invaluable guidance will help NPS advance its mission and drive innovative initiatives, including the development of the Naval Innovation Center at NPS.
To view the complete list of Advisory Council Members, visit npsfoundation.org/advisory-council.
