Senator McCormick Announces U.S. Service AcademyNominations Advisory Board Members

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) today announced 34 veterans, public servants, and community leaders from across the Commonwealth to serve on two advisory boards that will help select nominations for U.S. Service Academyappointments.

The advisory boards, one representing eastern Pennsylvania and the other representing western Pennsylvania, have been established to help evaluate applications, participate in interviews, and recommend candidates to be considered for appointment to our nation's U.S. Service Academies: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Candidates applying to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy do not need a congressional nomination for appointment.

"As a combat veteran and a West Point graduate, I know how critical the academynomination process is and I'm thrilled to have the support of these 34 outstanding veterans, leaders, and patriots on this advisory board to help ensure our service academy candidates are not only academically capable, but also demonstrate the character, leadership, and resilience required to lead with honor," Senator McCormick said. "It seems like yesterday I was nominated by Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Spector to attend West Point. This is a full circle moment for me as I know firsthand what these young men and women are going through and what they will experience if they're fortunate enough to attend one of our nation's great service academies. The time and service I shared at West Point changed my life and I am proud to have the opportunity to play a role in the selection process for the next generation of excellent military officers."

In addition to applying directly and meeting the admission requirements of their serviceacademy of choice, interested applicants must also secure a nomination from a member of Congress to be eligible for appointment to a U.S. Service Academy.

The application portal for Pennsylvanians interested in Senator McCormick's nomination to one of the four U.S. Service Academies is open now and can be accessed on the senator's website: https://www.mccormick.senate.gov/services/academy-nominations/.

Individuals appointed to Senator McCormick's U.S. Service Academy Advisory Nominations Board include:

EASTERN REGION BOARD

The Honorable Ryan Aument - Graduate of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, combat veteran, former U.S. Army Captain and former PA State Senate Majority Whip currently serving as State Director for U.S. Senator Dave McCormick.

Judge Leonard Brown - U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran currently serving as President Judge of the Lancaster County Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas.

Mr. Ed Buffman - U.S. Navy veteran and co-founder of the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum in Media, Pennsylvania.

(Ret.) Colonel Carmine Cicalese - U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate, retired U.S. Army Colonel, and founder of CYBER CIC, a cybersecurity consulting company.

Mr. Blaise Conwell - Pennsylvania Air National Guard veteran and retired business leader.

Mr. Thomas Coreau - U.S. Navy veteran currently serving as Director of Veterans Affairs for Dauphin County.

(Ret.) Colonel Bill Dellicker - U.S. Navy and Pennsylvania Air National Guard veteran; Pennsylvania Air National Guard Hall of Fame inductee.

Mr. Bill Doyle - U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate, U.S. Army veteran, and business leader.

Mr. James Fitzpatrick - U.S. Army veteran currently serving as Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Mr. David Galluch - U.S. Naval Academy graduate and U.S. Navy veteran currently serving as Managing Director at a defense-focused private equity firm.

The Honorable Stacy Garrity - Retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel currently serving asState Treasurer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Dave Henderson - U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate, U.S. Army veteran, and founder of Stronghold Group.

(Ret.) Colonel Tom Manion - U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Gold Star father of First Lieutenant Travis Manion, and Trustee on the Naval Academy Foundation Board.

Mr. Bill McSwain - U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania currently serving as partner at Duane Morris law firm in Philadelphia.

Mr. David Miller - Retired U.S. Army officer currently serving as corrections lieutenant at Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

Dr. Larry Sherbondy - Graduate of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, and U.S. Air Force veteran.

Mr. Earl Stagg - U.S. Marine Corps, Army National Guard, and Pennsylvania Air National Guard veteran.

WESTERN REGION ADVISORY BOARD

Mr. Rocky Bleier - U.S. Army veteran and former professional football player currently serving as Managing Member of Rocky Bleier Construction Group.

Mr. Sam DeMarco - U.S. Marine Corps veteran currently serving as Southwest Pennsylvania Regional Director for U.S. Senator Dave McCormick.

Mr. Tony Keiser - U.S. Army veteran currently serving as Managing Director at RBC Wealth Management.

(Ret.) Lieutenant Colonel Dave Kraft - U.S. Air Force veteran currently serving as an airline pilot.

Mr. Brian Linville - U.S. Naval Academy graduate and U.S. Navy veteran currently serving as a banker for J.P. Morgan.

Mr. Jim Litrun - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate and U.S. Navy veteran currently retired after a career in sales and marketing.

Mr. Rich Lockwood - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate and U.S. Navy and U.S. Army veteran.

The Honorable J.D. Longo - U.S. Marine Corps veteran currently serving as the Mayor of Slippery Rock Borough and Executive Director of the Citywide Development Corporation of New Castle.

The Honorable Doug Mastriano - Retired U.S. Army Colonel currently serving as a member of the Pennsylvania Senate.

The Honorable Rob Mercuri - U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate, U.S. Army veteran, and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

The Honorable Natalie Mihalek - U.S. Navy veteran currently serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Ms. Carmella Mullen - Gold Star wife and dedicated advocate for veterans.

Mr. John Oliver - U.S. Navy veteran and Purple Heart recipient.

The Honorable Devlin Robinson - U.S. Marine Corps veteran currently serving as a member of the Pennsylvania Senate.

Mr. Ken Staresinic - U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran currently serving as Vice President of SmartFactor Delivery for Providence Consulting Group.

Mr. John Starr - Retired Senior Vice President at SAP and proud father of a 2025 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Mr. Rob Woodings - Proud military parent of a 2019 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an Infantry Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps.

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