General Smith was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Plano, Texas, where he graduated from Texas A&M University and was commissioned in 1987.

He has commanded at every level, including Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment during Operation Assured Response in Monrovia, Liberia; 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom; and 8th Marine Regiment/ Regimental Combat Team 8 during Operation Enduring Freedom. He also served in Caracas, Venezuela as part of the U.S. Military Group.

As a General Officer, he commanded U.S. Marine Corps Forces Southern Command, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Marine Corps Combat Development Command.

General Smith’s staff assignments as a General Officer include serving as the Director of Capability Development Directorate, Combat Development and Integration; Senior Military Assistant to both the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Defense; and Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.

Mr. Clarence A. Johnson was selected to the Senior Executive Service and assigned as Principal Director and Director for Civilian Equal Employment Opportunity, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Equal Opportunity) at the Pentagon in February 2003.

In January 2009, Mr. Johnson was selected to a special temporary assignment, where he stood up a permanent organization which oversaw policies for support to wounded, ill, and injured service members. From May 2009 until February 2010, Mr. Johnson was chosen to serve as the Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Plans). From May 2010 until July 2010, Mr. Johnson was again designated as the Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Plans). 

In October 2010, Mr. Johnson was detailed as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Diversity and Leadership) assist the Army in implementing a robust diversity strategy.  He stood up a Division, Diversity and EEO Policy and Programs, where he served as its Director until February 2012.

Mr. Johnson was an active-duty Air Force Colonel serving in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Equal Opportunity as Director, Military Equal Opportunity. Mr. Johnson entered active-duty service as a C141 navigator.  In addition to global airlift and contingency operations, his tours of duty included the Military Airlift Command Plans staff and Air Staff Training (ASTRA).  He was a squadron commander three times and a group commander twice. 

His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (with one Oak Leaf Cluster), the Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters). Mr. Johnson holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Webster University, Missouri, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Tuskegee Institute, Alabama.  Mr. Johnson is also a graduate of Air Command and Staff College and the Air War College, Alabama, and the National Security Management Course, National Defense University.

Major General William H. Seely III served as the 35th Commandant of the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) in Norfolk, Virginia from August 2020 to August 2021.

He began serving as the Director of Marine Corps Intelligence in August 2021. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from American University, Washington D.C. and was commissioned through Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), George Washington University (1989).

He earned a Master's Degree from Oklahoma State University, National Intelligence University, and the Naval War College with distinction.

Commands

1990-1992: Communications Platoon Commander, H&S Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion.

2000-2002: Company Commander, India Company, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, Kunia, Hawaii.

2006-2008: Battalion Commander, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.

2011-2013: Commander, Marine Corps Intelligence Schools, Training Command.

Jun 2016 - May 2017 - Director of Marine Corps Intelligence

2017 - 2019 - Marine Corps Director of Communication

2019 - 2020 - Commander, Task Force-Iraq (TF-Iraq), CJTF - Operation Inherent Resolve

Aug 2020 - Aug 2021 - Commandant of the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC)

Aug 2021–Present - Director of Marine Corps Intelligence

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland proudly represents Washington’s 10th Congressional District, which covers Pierce County, Thurston County and parts of Mason County. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Strickland is the first African-American to represent Washington State at the federal level, and one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress in its 230-year history.

Raised in the South Sound, Strickland graduated from Tacoma Public Schools and earned her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Washington. She went on to earn an MBA from Clark-Atlanta University, a Historically Black College and University.

Strickland’s father, who fought in World War II and Korea, met her mother while he was stationed in Korea after the war. Strickland’s parents endured discrimination and hardships that she could never imagine. They wanted her to have opportunities they were denied and taught her to work hard, fight for what’s right, serve the community, and to stand up for the underdog. Those values continue to inspire Congresswoman Strickland every day as she advocates for Washington’s 10th Congressional District in Congress.

Prior to Strickland’s election to Congress, she served as Mayor of Tacoma, where she helped transform a city and economy crippled by a deep recession into a destination for families, workers, artists, tourists and entrepreneurs. In addition to attracting over $1 billion in investment for housing and businesses, she was instrumental in investing over $500 million in infrastructure for roads, bridges, transportation, and the Port, creating over 40,000 new jobs in the Tacoma region. 

A firm believer that there is dignity in all work, Strickland led successful efforts to raise the minimum wage and pass paid sick leave, paving the way for statewide action. Her city-wide Environmental Action Plan set goals to improve our air, water, and health. She launched an award-winning summer jobs program for high school students that led to the Tacoma Tideflats Certification Program, creating a pipeline for students to fill high-demand jobs in the maritime and construction trades. She and her team raised the high school graduation rate in Tacoma from 55% to 89% by making education a civic priority. Strickland was proud to stand with the LGBTQ community in support of Marriage Equality and transgender rights, and pass background checks for gun sales in Tacoma before statewide action.

As a Freshman Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Strickland carries with her the experience of rebuilding an economy after an economic recession. She will always be a strong voice for change so that our most vulnerable community members are served as we re-build an economy that works for all of us. 

Strickland serves as a Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in addition to the House Armed Services Committee. She is also a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus, Democratic Women's Caucus, and the New Democrat Coalition.

Congresswoman Strickland resides in Tacoma, Washington with her husband. 

Congresswoman Young Kim is proud to represent California’s 39th District, which includes parts of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties, in the U.S. House of Representatives.

An immigrant, small business owner, community leader, and mother, Young is proud to be one of the first Korean-American women ever to serve in Congress and help all Americans have the chance to achieve their dream just like she did.

As an immigrant to the United States, Young has dedicated her life to giving back to her community. She started her public service as Director of Community Relations and Asian Affairs for former Congressman Ed Royce (CA-39), where she was a key liaison to  39th District and  advisor on issues pertaining to the Asian-American community and foreign policy.

Prior to serving in Congress, Young was the first ever Korean-American Republican woman to serve in the California State Assembly. As an Assemblywoman, Young fought to grow jobs , support small businesses, ensure public safety, promote educational opportunities, support veterans, and protect victims of domestic violence.

Young is a small business owner, a long-time community leader, and has been actively involved in numerous organizations throughout the 39th District. She and her husband Charles reside in La Habra and are the proud parents of four grown children – Christine, Kelly, Alvin, and Hannah.