Retired Four-Star General John W. Nicholson, Jr.
Named PenFed Foundation President
Former commander of U.S. Forces in
Afghanistan joins nonprofit affiliate of America’s second-largest
federal credit union
TYSONS, Va., April 23, 2019 – The PenFed Foundation is proud to
announce that General John W. “Mick” Nicholson, Jr. has been named
president of the PenFed Foundation starting April 15. General Nicholson is
a retired United States Army Four-Star General who was the
longest-serving commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and NATO’s
Resolute Support Mission.
“General Nicholson is a true American hero. He
led tens of thousands of brave men and women who fight and win
our nation’s wars, and spent six years in combat during his
36 years of distinguished service in our military,” said James Schenck, president and CEO of PenFed Credit Union and CEO
of the PenFed Foundation. “We are honored that for his next mission, General
Nicholson is going to lead the PenFed Foundation. Together our mission
will be to help military heroes build a strong financial future. General
Nicholson is the perfect leader at the perfect time to drive the PenFed
Foundation forward.”
The PenFed Foundation is a
national nonprofit organization that provides military service
members, Veterans, their families and support networks with the skills and
resources they need to improve their financial well-being. The PenFed
Foundation delivers programs on financial education, credit building,
home ownership, and emergency assistance. The PenFed
Foundation is affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the nation’s
second-largest federal credit union with $25 billion in assets and 1.7 million
members.
“I’ve experienced the positive impact
the PenFed Foundation makes in our military community, and
I am honored to lead a mission that strives to better the lives of
our nation’s heroes and those who support them,” said General Nicholson.
“Many organizations celebrate the bravery of our troops on the field of
battle, but too often, their challenges in civilian life get
overlooked.”
General Nicholson was
introduced to the PenFed Foundation at a tailgate party in advance of
the 2018 Army-Navy football game. The event promoted True Made Foods,
the first veteran-owned company supported by the PenFed Foundation’s Veteran
Entrepreneur Investment Program.
“I look forward to expanding the Veteran
Entrepreneur Investment Program,” said General Nicholson, “because I know that creating
jobs for innovative veterans is always a great investment.”
“General Nicholson understands firsthand
the unique challenges facing military members. His range of
experience with nonprofit entities as well as the military gives him
the expertise to strongly lead the PenFed Foundation and those we
serve,” said The Honorable Frederick F.Y. Pang, Chairman of the PenFed
Foundation Board of Directors. “General Nicholson is well positioned to significantly expand the
PenFed Foundation’s reach and impact. The PenFed Foundation Board
looks forward to supporting General Nicholson in his new role.”
As President of the PenFed
Foundation, General Nicholson will focus on:
· Helping military members transition to civilian life. Specifically, General Nicholson will focus onfurther developing the Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP). The PenFed Foundation plans to launch a Women’s
VEIP under the leadership of General Nicholson. The program will bridge the gap
of investment capital to female Veteran entrepreneurs by providing funding,
female representation in the investment process, and a platform to empower
those entrepreneurs to lift other female Veteran entrepreneurs.
· Assisting Veterans in financial crisis. Through the PenFed Foundation’s various programs, General
Nicholson will work to provide financial assistance for wounded,
ill and injured Veterans.
· Opening doors for first-time homebuyers. The PenFed Foundation’s Dream Makers grants will match
down payments and closing costs for military heroes buying their
first homes.
General Nicholson has dedicated his 36-year
career to serving the United States. He earned a Bachelor’s
of Arts degree in history from Georgetown University, a Bachelor’s of
Science degree from the United States Military Academy, a Master’s degree in
Military Art and Science from the School for Advanced Military Studies and a
Master’s degree in National Security Studies from National Defense University.
General Nicholson has spent much of his career
in the interagency arena, working with internationalorganizations,
the State Department, law enforcement and national security staff. His
previous roles included Deputy Director of the Joint Improvised
Explosive Device (IED) Defeat Organization, Director of the
Pakistan-Afghanistan Coordination Cell and Deputy Director for Operations on
the Joint Staff.
General Nicholson’s awards and decorations
include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion
of Merit, Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious
Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman’s
Badge (2nd award), Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge,
Pathfinder Badge and the Ranger Tab.
About
PenFed Foundation
PenFed Foundation is a national
nonprofit organization committed to helping members of our military community
secure their financial future. Since its founding in 2001, it has provided more
than $30 million in financial support to the military community. It
provides service members, Veterans, their families and support networks
with the skills and resources they need to improve their lives through programs
on financial education, credit-building, home ownership, and short-term
assistance. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation has the
resources to effectively reach military communities across the nation, build
strong partnerships, and engage a dedicated corps of volunteers in its mission.
The credit union funds the Foundation’s personnel and most operational costs,
demonstrating its strong commitment to the programs the Foundation provides. To
learn more, visit www.penfedfoundation.org.
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