News Releases

Sen. Moran Names 2011 Service Academy Selection Board

Now Accepting Applications for Nominations to Service Academies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) today announced the members of his 2011 Kansas Service Academy Selection Board. The 20-member board will review applications and interview candidates who are applying for admission to U.S. Service Academies. These include the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Those selected will enter the academies in June 2012.

“Our country is fortunate to have so many talented young men and women interested in serving our country through the Armed Forces,” Sen. Moran said. “The Selection Board will have a tough time narrowing the field of qualified candidates, but I value their insight and thank them for their service.”

Sen. Moran is now accepting applications for nominations to the United States Service Academies. The application deadline is October 1, 2011. Applicants will be required to interview with Sen. Moran’s Service Academy Selection Board on Saturday, November 19, 2011. Following interviews, the Board will make recommendations to Sen. Moran for his decision. If nominated by Sen. Moran, applicants must then meet the individual admission requirements of each academy. The academies will make the final decision on who will receive an appointment of admission in early 2012.

Interested applicants can request application materials on Sen. Moran’s website at www.moran.senate.gov under the “Services” menu, or by calling Sen. Moran’s Olathe office at 913-393-0711. Additional information is also available online at www.moran.senate.gov.  

Members of the 2011 Kansas Service Academy Selection Board include:

  • Rob Boyer of Lenexa; President of Shred-It, U.S. Air Force Academy graduate.
  • Shirley Braxton of Salina; Community volunteer, wife of U.S. Military Academy graduate.
  • Larry Britton of Wichita; Executive Director, Veterans Upward Bound program at Wichita State University, served in the U.S. Army.
  • Ernie Garcia of Overland Park; Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel, former Chief of Staff at the U.S. Selective Service System.
  • Steve Harmon of Emporia; Director of the Business & Industry Training Center, Flint Hills Technical College, Kansas National Guard Member.
  • Steve Hawley of Lawrence; Director of Engineering Physics program, University of Kansas, former NASA Astronaut.
  • John Holt of Leawood; Anchor for Kansas City WDAF Fox 4 News, father of U.S. Military Academy cadet.
  • Mike Junk of Salina; President of Crestwood Inc., U.S. Air Force Academy graduate.
  • Ron Lucas of Goodland; Owner/Manager of Goodland Greenline, Inc., served in U.S. Army.
  • Shand Mayville of Fort Riley; Community volunteer, wife of Major General William Mayville, Commanding General, First Infantry Division and Fort Riley; daughter, wife and mother of U.S. Military Academy graduates.
  • Wendell Maddox of Kansas City; President and CEO of United Way of Wyandotte County, served in U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
  • Jill McCarthy of Overland Park; Vice President of Business Development, Kansas City Area Development Council, mother of U.S. Military Academy cadet.
  • Jacque Oakes of Independence; Community volunteer, Member of Independence Community College Foundation Board of Trustees.
  • John O’Leary of Wichita; Vice President of Engineering, Airbus, U.S. Naval Academy graduate.
  • Chris Orwoll of Hutchinson; President and CEO of Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, U.S. Naval Academy graduate.
  • Denise Ott of Leavenworth; Former Executive Director of the Junction City-Geary County Military Affairs Council, wife of U.S. Military Academy graduate.
  • Hunt Parker of Wichita; Managing Director of Aero Business Group, U.S. Naval Academy graduate.
  • Paula Ripple of Dodge City; Retired Dodge City High School English instructor, mother of U.S. Air Force Academy graduate.
  • Cecil Webb of Olathe; Technology Project Manager for HNTB, U.S. Military Academy graduate.
  • Ron Whitney of Emporia; Member of Emporia American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, served in U.S. Army.

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