DAVIS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Retired Air Force Col. Jeffrey Macloud has been named Chief Operating Officer of the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), the organization announced today.
“We are excited that Jeff is joining the leadership team of FVC,” said Michael O’Gorman, Founder and Executive Director of the organization. “His solid background and experience in operations and strategy that he developed during a 25-year career in the U.S. Air Force make him the right choice to help steer the FVC into the future.”
During the historic draw-down of combat forces in Iraq, Macloud led transition planning of hundreds of critical governance and military tasks such as police training and border enforcement for U.S. forces, the government of Iraq, the U.S. State Department and others. He also led operations on the Nevada Test and Training Range, guiding effective, safe and fiscally-sound execution for 2 million acres of private, public and restricted lands.
“Farming and military service share a very similar ethos. The strength of character, persistence, fortitude and teamwork that are so critical in military service are exactly what you need to succeed in farming,” Macloud said. “That’s why I’m excited to join FVC to help veterans continue a life of service to their nation, physical endeavor, environmental intelligence and personal perseverance through farming.”
Macloud’s other military assignments included Deputy Director for Strategy and Wargaming at U.S. Air Force Headquarters, commanding officer (Skipper) of the U.S. Navy's Training Squadron 10 and various flying assignments in the U.S., European and Pacific regions.
Macloud graduated from the U.S. Army’s prestigious School of Advanced Military Studies and has received numerous medals and accolades, including the Bronze Star. He has earned two master’s degrees and holds inactive securities and financial advisory certifications. He and his wife, Shelly, and their three daughters live in Napa, Calif.
Macloud is the FVC’s first COO. Creating the position was made possible by a recent $250,000 capacity building grant from Prudential Financial, Inc. through its Veterans Initiatives program. Prudential considers attracting, retaining and developing talent as a strategic priority, and recruiting veterans is an integral part of that strategy.
“The transition from the frontline to the farmland is an impressive career shift for men and women who have committed themselves to serving their country – they defended our nation on the frontline and are now applying some of the same skills to the essential task of helping to put food on the table in homes throughout America,” said Stephen Robinson, Vice President, External Veterans Affairs, at Prudential. “Prudential is very proud to support FVC in its work with our veterans.”
Prudential’s Veterans Initiative oversees the expansion of education and employment programs for veteran employees, supports business and corporate units throughout the company in veteran recruiting activities and strengthens the company’s relationships with nonprofit organizations that provide services to veterans and their families. In 2011, Prudential made a $150,000 grant to FVC through the Veterans Initiatives program.
With the hiring of Macloud as COO, O’Gorman will concentrate on large-scale fundraising and relationship building and will spend more time with veterans on their farms.
FVC also has a new headquarters office, (4614 2nd Street Suite 4, Davis, CA 95618) that is triple the size of the office it has occupied for the past five years, and offers room to grow and enough space to host veteran regional training events, O’Gorman noted.
About The Farmer Veteran Coalition
The Farmer Veteran Coalition is a not-for-profit organization that connects military veterans with opportunities for employment, training and places to heal on America’s farms. Started in 2008, the Farmer Veteran Coalition’s mission is to “Mobilize Veterans to Feed America.” By connecting veterans with sustainable farming resources and education to assist them in building their farm and ranch businesses, Farmer Veteran Coalition helps veterans become successful farmers. For more information about veteran farming and the Farmer Veteran Coalition, call them at (530) 564-1226 or visit their website at http://www.farmvetco.org.
