General (Ret.) Michael GarrettFormer Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command
General Garrett is an executive leadership advisor, public speaker, and military family advocate. Through his extensive and distinguished high-level military career, General Garrett brings important experience in large-scale thinking and development and insights that have enhanced our go-to-market plans, particularly with defense-related customers. He is the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the American Battle Monuments Commission and sits on the Board of Directors for Textron, First Command Financial Services, Inc. and the Semper Fi & America’s Fund. He also serves as an Executive-in-Residence, Fayetteville State University, Distinguished Senior Fellow on National Security with the Middle East Institute, and a Senior Mentor for the Army War College.
The son of an Army Command Sergeant Major, and the father of two young adults on their own military and military family journeys, General Garrett, along with his wife Lorelei, has spent his entire life in and around the U.S. Army. He is a Xavier University alumnus, where he earned his ROTC commission as an Infantry officer in 1984. He served his formative years in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment before commanding an Infantry battalion of his own in the 82nd Airborne Division. His 38-year active military career culminated in three years commanding U.S. Army Forces Command and its 750,000 combat and support personnel across the United States. His earlier command tours include U.S. Army Central and its soldiers serving throughout the Middle East; U.S. Army Alaska; and the Army’s first Alaska-based airborne brigade, which General Garrett established and deployed into Iraq in the mid-2000s.
General Garrett’s awards include the Ellis Island Honors Society’s Medal of Honor, honorary doctorates from Methodist and Xavier University, and multiple U.S. military decorations including the Distinguished Service and Defense Superior Service medals. He is also a Distinguished Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment.