Dr. Robert Gates to Receive Marshall Center’s Ethical Leadership Award
FORMER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO BE HONORED AT APRIL 14 GALA
Leesburg, VA – The Board of Directors of the George C. Marshall International Center has selected Robert Gates, 22nd U.S. Secretary of Defense, to receive its second annual Marshall Award in Ethical Leadership, to be presented at the Center’s annual gala on Friday, April 14 at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA.
The George C. Marshall Award in Ethical Leadership is presented to one recipient each year who embodies the principles of selfless service, unwavering integrity and visionary leadership that characterized the life and example of its namesake. Col. Greg Gadson (U.S. Army, Ret.) was honored with the Marshall Center’s inaugural ethical leadership award in 2022.
“Through decades of faithful service to our nation, Dr. Robert Gates has demonstrated that character and effectiveness go hand in hand,” said Marshall Center Chairman Thomas Greenspon. “We are proud to confer our second annual George C. Marshall Award in Ethical Leadership to a man who has lived up to General Marshall’s standards and served our country with honor.”
“I am honored and deeply grateful for this award,” said Dr. Robert Gates. “General Marshall was the gold standard for ethical and effective leadership, and it’s certainly a privilege to be associated with his legacy.”
“It was with great pride that as Secretary of Defense I had his portrait placed on the wall behind my desk – a constant reminder of what ethical and dedicated service looked like,” Gates continued. “The work of the George C. Marshall International Center is invaluable. Everywhere we turn, we see a critical need for values, discipline and perseverance in our leaders – a special combination that General Marshall embodied.”
Proceeds from the Marshall Center’s annual gala will be used to support a range of the organization’s activities, including its growing ethical leadership training program. Five-Star Character: The George C. Marshall Ethical Leadership Conference was created to inspire and develop leaders among high school juniors and seniors. Using examples from Marshall’s long career of service, participants learn and apply these enduring lessons in a modern context. Thanks to donor support, all students attend for free.
Robert Gates served as the 22nd secretary of defense (2006-2011). Dr. Gates served eight U.S. presidents across both parties. On Gates’s last day in office, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.
Gates served in the CIA for nearly 27 years, culminating his service as director of Central Intelligence from 1991 to 1993. He also served as president of Texas A&M University.
He is now a principal at the consulting firm, Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel, LLC, with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley. Additionally, he is Chancellor of William & Mary, his alma mater.
Gates has previously received the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal (three times) and the CIA’s highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal (three times).