ICYMI: Sen. Cruz’s Service Academy Nominations Board Holds Annual Meeting

AUSTIN, Texas – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) applauded the work of the Service Academy Nominations Board Friday, following their annual meeting to review applications and recommend the most qualified Texas candidates for nomination to our nation’s distinguished service academies.

Sen. Cruz established the Board in 2013 to advise him on service academy nominations.

Upon completion of the meeting, Sen. Cruz said:

“For generations, the men and women of the Lone Star State have answered the call to serve our nation and Constitution, and no state has done more to defend America and our ideals. I’m proud of the great work that Chairman Birdwell and the rest of the board have done to make sure that Texas sends her best and brightest to our nation’s military academies. I look forward to nominating the most qualified Texans to continue the Lone Star State’s legacy.”

The Board is comprised of service academy alumni, members of the National Guard and Reserves, active duty and retired military as well as civilians retired from the U.S. Department of Defense, and proud leaders and supporters of our military from across Texas. The Board is responsible for assessing hundreds of service academy applications each year. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell, a native Texan and decorated military veteran representing Texas Senate District 22, serves as chairman. After Sen. Cruz nominates 40 applicants, the service academies will make their selections early next year.

Sen. Cruz's 2022 Service Academy Nominations Board members include:

• Sen. Brian Birdwell, Chairman, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army, Granbury, Texas
• Judge Ernest Aliseda, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army Reserve, McAllen, Texas
• Nick Breedlove, Commander, U.S. Navy Reserve, Fort Worth, Texas
• The Honorable David Bristol, Major (Ret.), U.S. Air Force, Prosper, Texas
• Ken Cox, Major General (Ret.), U.S. Army, Harker Heights, Texas
• Steve Dement, Tyler, Texas
• Michael E. Fossum, Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Air Force Reserve, Corpus Christi, Texas
• Lisa Jaster, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve, New Braunfels, Texas
• Frank Kisner, Lieutenant General (Ret.), U.S. Air Force, Midland, Texas
• Cody McGregor, Sergeant, U.S. Army, Houston, Texas
• Erin Naranjo, Captain, U.S. Air Force, Round Rock, Texas
• Mary Owen, Lubbock, Texas
• Cleve Rodriguez, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, New Braunfels, Texas
• Gus Rodriguez, El Paso, Texas
• Laurianne Rodriguez, Captain, U.S. Air Force, New Braunfels, Texas
• Judith Schanno, Captain, U.S. Air Force, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas
• Dr. Annie Sobel, Major General (Ret.), U.S. Army & Texas Army National Guard, Corpus Christi, Texas
• Chaplain Rich Stoglin, Commander & Regimental Chaplain, U.S. Navy Reserve, Arlington, Texas
• Judge Jaime Tijerina, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army Reserve, McAllen, Texa
• The Honorable James White, Captain, U.S. Army, Tyler, Texas
• Allison Wilson, Master Sergeant (Ret.), U.S. Air Force, Schertz, Texas
• Grayson Winchester, Commander, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Fort Worth, Texas

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