Colonel Mike Kessler, USMC (Ret),
chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Young Marines National
Foundation, retires after 50 years of faithful service to the
Marine Corps and the Young Marines. Colonel John Reed, USMC (Ret.), was named Kessler's
successor.
DUMFRIES, Va., Aug. 5, 2024
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Colonel Mike Kessler, USMC (Ret),
chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Young Marines National
Foundation, was honored June 21,
2024, on his retirement after 50 years of faithful service
to the Marine Corps and the Young Marines.
"I have had the pleasure of being
associated with the Young Marines for 25 years," Kessler said. "In
all the years working with the Young Marines, the most impactful
thing I've learned is volunteers are the cornerstone of the
program. They do the heavy lifting."
Kessler served for 26 years on active duty, another 15 as CEO
and national executive director of the Young Marines, and 10 years
as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Young Marines
National Foundation.
At the same event, Colonel John
Reed, USMC (Ret.), was named Kessler's successor. Reed also
served 26 years on active duty and another nine as the CEO and
founder of Reed Charters, serving
the federal government in National Security Strategy.
Kessler, hired in 1999, is credited with the founding of the
modern Young Marines. His greatest pride was (and is) observing how
well the young people do after they leave the Young Marines
program.
"I have had the pleasure of being associated with the Young
Marines for 25 years, having served as the National Director for 16
years and on the foundation since its inception in 2015," Kessler
said.
Kessler was praised consistently for his great understanding of
the congressional process. In addition, he has intellect,
character, confidence, charisma, and experience, all of which has
benefited both the Young Marines and its national foundation.
He is an expert on fiduciary accountability, an understanding of
non-profit law, the value of strategic planning, operational
oversight, board development, employee relations and human resource
management.
"It has been an honor to serve with Mike
Kessler; he has done so much for both organizations, the
kids, the volunteers, and me personally," said Mike Zeliff national executive director, Young
Marines National Foundation. "We are all very fortunate to have him
in our lives."
Kessler says he's extremely proud of the recognition the Young
Marines received from the Department of Defense in receiving more
than a dozen Fulcrum Shield Awards for excellence in youth
anti-drug education.
"In all the years working with a youth organization such as the
Young Marines, the most impactful thing I've learned is volunteers
are the cornerstone of the program," Kessler said. "They do the
heavy lifting, and without them we wouldn't be where we are."
Col John Reed, USMC (Ret)
On June 21, 2024, Col John Reed, USMC (Ret) assumed responsibility as
chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Young Marines National
Foundation. Reed recognizes Mike's well-deserved retirement, and
requested he remain an executive advisor due to his intimate
knowledge of the program.
Reed served 26 years as a Marine Infantry Officer. He founded a
small business in 2015 and enjoys providing high quality
professional consultants to the Navy and the Marine Corps. With his
business acumen, his vision is to bring new energy and innovation
to philanthropic fundraising of private sector businesses and
individuals.
"We strive to instill qualities of leadership, discipline,
respect for veterans, and community service while promoting a
healthy, drug-free lifestyle in tomorrow's leaders in American
society," he said.
About the Young Marines National Foundation
The Young Marines National Foundation provides financial support
to the mission, values, and programs of the Young Marines through
the solicitation, preservation, and distribution of gifts, grants,
and matching funds from individuals, corporations, and
foundations.
For more information, visit:
https://youngmarinesfoundation.org.
Media Contact
Mike Zeliff, Young Marines
National Foundation, 301-642-7597, mikezeliff@ymfoundation.org,
https://youngmarinesfoundation.org/
Andy Richardson, GR-PR,
630-789-8899, arichardson@gr-pr.com, https://www.gr-pr.com/
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SOURCE Young Marines National Foundation