U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) recently announced a distinguished group of veterans, public servants, and community leaders from across the Commonwealth to serve on his Eastern and Western Region Advisory Boards that will help select nominations for U.S. Service Academy appointments.
“I’m deeply grateful to this talented group of veterans and leaders who have volunteered their time for such a vital mission,” said Senator McCormick. “Their service on these advisory boards will help us select the finest young Pennsylvanians to attend our United States Service Academies and lead the next generation of America’s military.”
The prestigious advisory boards, one representing eastern Pennsylvania and the other representing western Pennsylvania, have been established to evaluate applications, conduct interviews, and recommend the best and brightest candidates for appointment to our nation’s U.S. Service Academies: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Interviews of candidates kicked off this past weekend and continue through the middle of November.
Candidates applying to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy do not need a Congressional nomination for appointment.
In addition to applying directly and meeting the admission requirements of their service academy of choice, interested applicants must also secure a nomination from a member of Congress to be eligible for appointment to a U.S. Service Academy.
Individuals appointed to Senator McCormick’s 2026 U.S. Service Academy Nominations Advisory Boards include:
WESTERN REGION BOARD
Mr. Sam DeMarco – U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served as a Lance Corporal, currently serving as Southwest Pennsylvania Regional Director for U.S. Senator Dave McCormick.
Specialist 4th Class Rocky Bleier – U.S. Army veteran and former professional football player currently serving as Managing Member of Rocky Bleier Construction Group.
First Lieutenant Tony Keiser – U.S. Army veteran currently serving as Managing Director at RBC Wealth Management.
Lieutenant Brian Linville – U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Navy officer currently serving as Executive Director at J.P. Morgan in Pittsburgh.
Lieutenant Jim Litrun – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate and former Navy officer who served aboard the USS Brownson, now retired after executive careers at Pfizer and Cabot.
Mr. Rich Lockwood – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate and professional mariner with dual deck and engine licenses, consulting on marine transportation systems.
The Honorable J.D. Longo – U.S. Marine Corps Corporal and a combat veteran of Afghanistan currently serving as Mayor of Slippery Rock and Executive Director of the Citywide Development Corporation of New Castle.
The Honorable Rob Mercuri – West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran who served as a Captain and was awarded the Bronze Star for valor in Iraq, formerly served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
The Honorable Natalie Mihalek – U.S. Navy veteran who served as a Petty Officer Third Class (E-4), currently serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Ms. Carmella Mullen – Gold Star wife and dedicated advocate for veterans.
Lieutenant John Oliver – U.S. Navy veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
The Honorable Devlin Robinson – U.S. Marine Corps veteran who retired as a Corporal currently serving as a member of the Pennsylvania Senate.
Captain Ken Staresinic – 1987 West Point graduate and former Infantry Officer who deployed to Panama and the Sinai, currently Vice President of SmartFactory Solutions for Providence Consulting Group.
Mr. John Starr – Retired Senior Vice President from SAP who raises organic cattle in Western Pennsylvania; parent of a 2025 U.S. Naval Academy graduate.
Mr. Rob Woodings – President of Ironwood Capital Corporation; parent of a 2019 West Point graduate serving as a U.S. Army Captain in the 101st Airborne Division.
Mr. Richard Jewell – Former trial and corporate lawyer, President of Grove City College, and two-term Commissioner on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Colonel Carmine Cicalese (Ret.) – Retired U.S. Army Colonel and 1987 West Point graduate, President and Founder of CYBER CIC, a cybersecurity consulting company.
EASTERN REGION BOARD
The Honorable Ryan Aument – Graduate of The Citadel, combat veteran, former U.S. Army Captain and former PA State Senate Majority Whip currently serving as State Director for U.S. Senator Dave McCormick.
Captain Blaise Conwell – U.S. Air Force veteran who served as a C-130 navigator; retired after more than 30 years in IT sales and marketing and now owns two restaurants.
Lieutenant Colonel Bill Doyle – 1987 West Point graduate who concluded his military service as Command Judge Advocate for an Army Reserve unit; currently holds executive leadership roles in consulting and technology.
Lieutenant David Galluch – 2012 U.S. Naval Academy graduate who operates a defense-focused investment firm in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
Major Dave Henderson – 2007 West Point graduate and Field Artillery officer with three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan; owner of Stronghold Group, a federal contractor.
Captain David Miller (Ret.) – Retired U.S. Army commissioned officer and attorney with extensive service in law enforcement and corrections.
Dr. Larry Sherbondy (Ret.) – Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with over 45 years specializing in coaching military leaders across all branches and at the U.S. Army War College.
Master Sergeant Earl Stagg (Ret.) – Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant with over 20 years of service across three branches; alumnus of the University at Buffalo.
Colonel Philip DeHennis (Ret.) – Retired U.S. Army Colonel who served 36 years with the Pennsylvania National Guard, commanding the 213th Area Support Group and 103rd Engineer Battalion; consulting engineer in aerospace and defense.
Major General Wesley Craig (Ret.) – Major General (Ret.), U.S. Army, who commanded the 28th Infantry Division and served as Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General from 2011 to 2015.
Major Tim Ryan (Ret.) – Retired Army officer who served in Special Forces, Light Infantry, and JAG Corps assignments worldwide; currently works at a federal agency on drone warfare, cybersecurity, and AI legal issues.
Captain Howard Crawford (Ret.) – Retired USAF medical service corps officer and longtime Air Force Academy Liaison Officer; President of Patriotic Solutions in West Chester, PA.
Mr. Tim Keane – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate who has provided consulting and engineering services to hospitals, facilities, and water systems since 2000.
Lt. Colonel John Grobe (Ret.) – A retired Army officer, entrepreneur, and tech investor. John earned his commission through ROTC through the University of Pennsylvania and served over 30 years in the Army. He now owns Veterans Pallet Remanufacturing of Spring City, PA
Commander John Supple (Ret.) – 2003 U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Naval Aviator with 25 years of combined federal service, including as Indo-Pacific Spokesperson for the Office of the Secretary of Defense; now Senior Communications Manager at Hanwha Defense USA.
Captain Richard Ellis (Ret.)– Owner and President of Liberty Consulting & Strategies with over 38 years of Department of Defense experience in logistics, acquisition, and contract management.
Mr. Ted Boris – Experienced enterprise risk leader with over 30 years in financial services, including executive roles at JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and PWC.
Staff Sergeant Patrick Cubbage – U.S. Army veteran who served as a paratrooper with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam and continued in the reserves with Special Forces and other units.
