Meet Our Advisory Council

Lieutenant General Donald W. Jones, USA, Ret.  Lieutenant General Jones joined the Army in 1959 and rose through the ranks from private to lieutenant general before retiring in 1991. Along the way, he served as chief of staff for the Field Artillery Center and School, assistant division commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, commanding general of the U.S. Army Total Personnel Agency, and deputy assistant secretary of defense for military manpower and personnel policy.

After retiring, LTG Jones spent 10 years as vice president and senior vice president for the American Red Cross, focusing on disaster relief and chapter services before returning to central Texas and devoting his attention to volunteer support of the Army.

LTG Jones traveled throughout Texas and to both coasts expounding on the benefits of many charitable programs that have led to more than $2 million being raised for support of these worthy causes from a variety of national business firms and organizations.

Lieutenant General Dave R. Palmer, USA, Ret. Lieutenant General Palmer is a former Superintendent of West Point (1986–1991), military historian and author, and former President of Walden University. A 1956 graduate of West Point, he served two tours in the Vietnam War and numerous command positions during the height of the Cold War.

LTG Palmer’s initial assignment was as an armor officer in Berlin. He commanded a tank company in the 1st Armored Division, and would later command that same division. From 1969 to 1971, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 33rd Armor in the 3rd Armored Division. His brigade command was of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas, from 1976 to 1977. He served two tours in Vietnam, one of these at the Vietnamese National Military Academy.

LTG Palmer also served as the Deputy Commandant of the Army Command and General Staff College. He also served multiple assignments with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Army staff at the Pentagon. Upon completion as his tour as West Point Superintendent, LTG Palmer retired from the Army in 1991. He joined the Board of Directors of Walden University the following year. From 1995 to 1999, he served as president of Walden University. From 1999 to 2000 he was Chief Executive Officer of Walden e-Learning, Inc.