Veterans Luncheon with ADM Michelle Howard and Tex A&M Singing Cadets

Michelle J. Howard served 35 years in the United States Navy. She led Sailors and Marines multiple times in her career as the Commander of: a ship, an Expeditionary Strike Group, Task Force, and a Naval theater. Her last command was from 2016 to 2017 as U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa. She simultaneously led NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Naples with oversight of missions from the Western Balkans to Iraq. Operations in her career include NATO peacekeeping, West African Training Cruise, Indonesia Tsunami Relief operations, and the rescue of Maersk Alabama from Somali Pirates. Michelle is a Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran.

Accomplishments

In 1999 Michelle J. Howard became the first African American woman to command a ship in the Navy. In 2014, she was the first woman to become a four-star Admiral in the U.S. Navy and the first woman to be appointed to the position of Vice Chief of Naval Operations (number two in a Military Service). She is the first African American woman to reach the rank of three-star and four-stars in the Armed Forces.

Michelle J. Howard was the Shapiro Visiting Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University from 2018 to 2020. She taught courses on cyber and policy. She is on the board of directors for IBM. She is on the board of directors for the STIMSON CENTER, and on an advisory panel to the US Institute of Peace. Michelle was the Chair of The Naming Commission from March 2020 to October 2022. The congressionally mandated Commission identified and made recommendations to remove, rename or modify Department of Defense Assets that commemorated the Confederacy or individuals who voluntarily served the Confederacy.

Education

• U. S. Naval Academy
• Bachelor of Science 1982
• U. S. Army Command and General Staff College
• Masters Military Arts and Science (History) 1998

TICKET POLICY

Downtown Rotary Club of Houston members are entitled to one (1) free ticket per paid member.

Corporate members are entitled to five (5) tickets. Visitors and guests must purchase a ticket at $75.

*** If you are ordering more than one (1) ticket, please ENTER EACH ATTENDEE'S NAME for faster event check in. ***

All credit cards and PayPal accepted. Valet parking included.

Salute to Veterans Luncheon 2024 Sponsorships

The 2024 Salute to Veterans luncheon offers three sponsorship levels, each providing event tickets and additional benefits, with higher tiers supporting more Veterans and granting special recognition during the program and on the Club’s website.