Obama Appoints Winnefeld to Naval Academy’s Board of Visitors

Posted September 12, 2016

President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Admiral James A. “Sandy” Winnefeld, distinguished professor in Georgia Tech’s Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as a member of the Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy.

Winnefeld was one of five individuals who were nominated to key administration posts by Obama on September 9, 2016.

“I am confident that these experienced and hardworking individuals will help us tackle the important challenges facing America, and I am grateful for their service. I look forward to working with them,” Obama said in a statement.

As a member of the Naval Academy Board of Visitors, Winnefeld will inquire into the state of morale and discipline, the curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and other matters relating to the academy that the board decides to consider. The board consists of six members appointed by the president, three appointed by the vice president, four appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one designated by the Senate Armed Services Committee, and one designated by the House Armed Services Committee.

Winnefeld joined the Nunn School in Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts in 2015. He also serves as a senior fellow in the Nunn School’s Center for International Strategy, Technology, and Policy. He recently led a cybersecurity workshop for industry and government executives that was held at Georgia Tech in July. 

Prior to joining the College, Winnefeld served as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commander of the United States Northern Command, and commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).