Celebrating Service and Character
The 5th Annual George C. Marshall Award Gala
On Friday, April 17, the Marshall Center welcomed distinguished guests, dedicated supporters and committed volunteers to its 5th Annual George C. Marshall Award Gala—an evening devoted to celebrating ethical leadership and advancing General Marshall’s enduring legacy.
Held in the elegant setting of the Army Navy Country Club, the event combined inspiration and impact, raising more than $110,000 in support of the Marshall Center’s mission, including maintaining Dodona Manor and sharing the leadership lessons of General Marshall with the leaders of tomorrow.
The highlight of the night was the presentation of the George C. Marshall Award in Ethical Leadership to Captain Scott Altman, (U.S. Navy, Ret.), a retired navy captain and veteran of four Space Shuttle missions by Marshall Center Board Chairman Paul Michaels and Executive Director Valérie Beaudoin.
Altman, who is now president of the Space Operating Group for ASRC Federal, is a veteran of four space flights, logging over 51 days in space and commanding the final two servicing missions of the Hubble Space Telescope.
Altman reflected on his journey from scrappy high school basketball player to Navy fighter pilot to astronaut, highlighting the mentors and leaders who shaped him along the way. He underscored the lasting impact of teachers in his own life and in the lives of young people today. “It is an honor to receive this award and to be associated with General Marshall—and the important work of the Marshall Center.”
The evening began with a welcome reception featuring remarks from Kitty Nix, Principal Sales Manager for Federal Government at Amazon Web Services. Nix highlighted AWS work supporting critical federal missions, shining a bright spotlight on its work with NASA. “The commitment of our team and our government partners reflects the values General Marshall embodied,” she noted, “and we are proud to support their important work.”
The George C. Marshall High School Clarinet Ensemble delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem, setting a fitting tone for the evening. The evening’s program was skillfully guided by retired Navy officer Reggie Baker, who served as Master of Ceremonies.
The evening also featured the debut of a new video on General Marshall – our first ever documentary on his life – which was met with an enthusiastic response. The video will be released publicly soon and featured in our future state-of-the-art museum and visitor support center.
Pete Janhunen, Director of the Marshall Center’s Ethical Leadership Program introduced two ELC students—Aidan Armistead, a senior at Loudoun County High School, and Keely McAtee, a homeschooled junior—who shared thoughtful reflections on how Marshall’s example is shaping their outlook and aspirations.
The impact is already evident in their lives, from Aidan’s leadership as a varsity tennis captain, coach and future engineering student at Virginia Tech, to Keely’s roles as a student-athlete, honor society vice president and volunteer swim coach.
The evening’s momentum peaked with a lively live auction led by Brian Damewood of Damewood Auctioneers. Guests competed enthusiastically for a slate of exceptional experiences, including a luxury escape to The Greenbrier; private dinners at Dodona Manor with Scott Altman; an exclusive wine tasting at Dodona Manor with Bleu Frog Vineyards; a weekend immersion at Virginia Military Institute; and a Beacon Hill golf and dining experience.
The celebration continued well into the evening, as three couples from Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Ashburn kicked off the dancing with a spirited performance that drew guests onto the floor.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors and supporters—Monoc, Amazon Web Services, Lockheed Martin, Fortinet Federal, Toth Financial, Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, Pete Janhunen & Katy Anderson (155 Strategies), HITT and Black Prism Venture Capital, Randy Minchew, Shawn Hendon, ASRC Federal, Stephen Chapin / JARS, Tom Greenspon and Joe Scanlan —as well as our many additional sponsors and supporters who made the evening possible. Their support enables the Marshall Center to continue providing transformative leadership programs at no cost, equipping today’s students with the values of selfless service, integrity and visionary leadership exemplified by General Marshall.
Mark your calendars: the sixth annual George C. Marshall Award Gala will be held on April 9, 2027—an evening we look forward to sharing with you!