Gen. Anthony Zinni to address the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets March 3
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will welcome retired Gen. Anthony Zinni, U.S. Marine Corps, to campus to address the cadet regiment on Thursday, March 3.
His presentation is part of the Leaders in Action lecture series hosted each term by the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and the Maj. Gen. W. Thomas Rice Center for Leader Development. It will start at 3:30 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center and is open to the public.
Zinni was commissioned through the Marine Corps' Platoon Leader Class program in 1965 as an infantry second lieutenant. He has commanded at all operational levels and retired from the military in 2000 after commanding the U.S. Central Command. His operational experiences span from Vietnam through the Gulf War and also include numerous emergency relief, security operations, and evacuation operations.
Zinni has been awarded many military decorations which include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; the Distinguished Service Medal; the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Bronze Star with Combat "V" and Gold Star; and the Purple Heart.
Since his retirement from active duty, Zinni has been actively involved in the business and academic arenas. He is president, CEO, and chairman of the board of BAE Systems, Inc. and has served as the executive vice president of an international government services company and as president of international operations for a manufacturing company.
He has held positions on several boards of directors and advisors of major companies and has also had his own consulting business working with companies in strategic planning, business development, international marketing. Zinni has also held numerous academic positions and was the Terry Sanford Lecturer in Residence and Visiting Professor of Public Policy Studies at Duke University. He currently holds the Frank H.T. Rhodes Class of ’56 Professorship at Cornell University.
“We are very pleased to have Gen. Zinni address the regiment on leadership and ethics. He is the epitome of selfless service having a distinguished career in the military and now in the public and private sectors. He provides a great perspective for the cadets,” said Col. Dave Miller, U.S. Army retired, deputy commandant for leader development and director of the Maj. Gen. W. Thomas Rice Center for Leader Development.
With a visitor’s pass, parking is available in the Squires Lot, located at the corner of College Avenue and Otey Street. Parking meters within the Squires Lot will need to be paid. A visitor’s pass may be obtained Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Visitor Information Center, located on Southgate Drive. Find more parking information online or call (540) 231-3200.
