Chair

MG (Ret) Fred A. Gorden is a West Point graduate, and he later returned to West Point as the Academy’s first African American Commandant of Cadets.  He served in various key leadership positions, including: as a captain during the Vietnam War; commanding general, 25th Infantry Division (Light); commander, U. S. Army Military District of Washington; and as Army Chief of Public Affairs in the Pentagon.  He officiated ceremonies and escorted presidents and heads of state from around the world (among them President Nelson Mandela and the Emperor of Japan), and was the principal military officer in the conduct of the state funeral ceremonies for President Richard Nixon.

Retiring from the Army, Gorden became a corporate executive with ICF Kaiser Engineers, and later with the United Services Automobile Association (USAA).  His hobbies include researching the Buffalo Soldiers’ historic role in the making of our country, including at West Point and West Pointers in their ranks.  During his army career he proudly embraced the  heritage of the Buffalo Soldiers and endeavored to reflect their commitment and pride in his own service as a African American in the defense of our Nation.  His numerous awards include the Alpha Phi Alpha Distinguished Service Award.

Vice Chair

Michelle Mosley is also the Vice President of the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point, Inc. She received a BBA in Finance from the University of the District of Columbia, a Master’s Certificate in Information Technology Project Management from The George Washington University School of Business and is a certified business process management professional and project manager for the federal government. 

Ms. Mosley also sits on the board of directors for The Nehe Foundation and volunteers at the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center, helping victims of domestic violence and their families.  In her spare time, she enjoys exercising, long walks with her dogs, and cooking.

Recording Secretary

Thearon “T” Williams retired from the US Army in August 2014, culminating 27 years of service for his country.  He is currently employed with Akoya, as a Strategic Communications Planner.  He graduated from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management, and was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer.  He has served in a variety of command and staff positions in locations around the world, which include tours in Germany, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.

He has commanded at numerous levels, culminating as the Battalion Commander for 1st Battalion, 22nd Field Artillery at Fort Sill, OK.  Other key staff assignments include Deputy Brigade Commander, 434th Field Artillery Brigade, Field Artillery Training Center, Fort Sill, OK, the XVIIIth Airborne Corps, Deputy Fire Support Coordinator, and the Information Operations Division Chief on the Joint Staff.  Colonel Williams is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff Officer Course, where he earned the Master Tactician Award in 1999, and the National War College where he received a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy in 2010.  Additionally, he has earned a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University.

Corresponding Secretary

Michelle Clark-Dismuke graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Management. As the Assistant Financial Controller for Millennium & Copthorne Hotels in Nashville, Tennessee she is responsible for training employees through the Service for Success program. Mrs. Clark-Dismuke travels across the country teaching corporate employees how to be successful and enhance customer service. Prior to joining the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, she was a successful commercial business owner in Haverstraw, New York. She is an active member of the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW).

Treasurer

A West Point graduate, David “Dave” Jackson is a part time consultant, having retired from SES Government Solutions where he served as Corporate Vice President, Deputy General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining SES, Dave served at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in executive positions focused on national security and operations.  Currently, Dave is Founder and Principal Associate for DHC Consulting.

A retired army colonel, Dave Jackson has spent his civilian career in systems engineering, business development, aerospace and national security assignments with ANSER and Science Applications International Corp (SAIC).  At SAIC, Dave served as the Chief of Staff of the National Security Solutions Operation and Director of SAIC’s Threat Reduction Support Center.  His 30 year military career included tours of duty in Germany, Korea and Vietnam, as well as being an Assistant Professor of Physics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Dave also holds a master’s of science in Nuclear Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Chairman of Fundraising and Marketing Committee

Melvin Smith is a retired Special Agent with over 20 years of service with the United States Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. He has expertise in law enforcement, and is a licensed Private Investigator in the State of New York.Mr. Smith is an avid motorcyclist. He is a member of the National Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club and is the current President of the West Point New York Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club chapter. The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club is comprised of former and active military, law enforcement officers, teachers and other civil servants, as well as other positive thinking members of the community.The West Point chapter is named in honor of the African American Soldiers who served with distinction at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The club is concerned with promoting and participating in charitable and positive activities to support Veterans and the community.Mr. Smith has established through the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club West Point chapter a Thanksgiving food drive, a back to school supply program in Highland Falls, New York, Peekskill, NY, and Fishkill, NY.

Committee General Counsel

Roderick H. Morgan is a West Point graduate with the class of 1970.   He retired from the US Army in 1990 as a JAG Corps officer.  Prior to attending and graduating from Georgetown University Law Center in !978, Rod served in the  Infantry .  During his military career he served in the 193d Infantry Brigade in Panama, Republic of Panama; the United States Military Academy (Equal Admissions Officer); the 3d Infantry Division as Officer in Charge of the 1st Brigade legal office (Schweinfurt Germany); as Associate Professor of Law at USMA and at the US Army Claims Service(Ft. Meade MD).  As an Infantry Officer engaged in leading edge diversity and race relations initiatives including major policy development, education, compliance and disciplinary actions for the Army.

Following retirement, Roderick returned home to Indianapolis IN and joined a mid-sized legal firm where he became an AV rated attorney and Partner while focusing  his practice on representing the city of Indianapolis as General Counsel of the Indianapolis Economic Development Commission and the Indiana Health Facility Finance Authority in complex tax-exempt bond financings.  He was also active in the local and legal communities as a volunteer culminating in his selection as the first African American President of the Indiana State Bar Association.

He has been recognized at local and state levels for his work in enhancing diversity and inclusion in various Indiana institutions including law firms, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Vincennes University where he served as President of the Board of Trustees.  Roderick has received numerous awards for his work in the diversity and inclusion arena.  He regularly serves a speaker, panelist and as an expert media resource on the topic of diversity and its impact on the legal community.  Mr. Morgan is currently working as a Senior Partner at  Bingham Greenebaum Doll, LLP In Indianapolis.