January 16, 2025 | Press Release

Gen. (Ret.) Laura Richardson and Roger Zakheim Named to Board of Advisors of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

January 16, 2025 | Press Release

Gen. (Ret.) Laura Richardson and Roger Zakheim Named to Board of Advisors of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 16, 2025 — Gen. (Ret.) Laura Richardson and Roger Zakheim have joined the board of advisors for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ (FDD) Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP).

Gen. Richardson served more than 38 years in the United States Army, commanding Army units from the company to the combatant command level and serving as the Army’s first female combat arms general officer. Most recently, she served as commanding general of U.S. Southern Command from 2021 to 2024. Earlier in her career, she served as the commanding general of U.S. Army North, deputy commanding general of U.S. Forces Command, deputy commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, and commanding general of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command. In addition, she served as the military aide to the vice president and in Pentagon staff positions including director of the Army’s Transformation Office. While commanding an assault helicopter battalion in the 101st Airborne Division, she deployed her unit to Iraq during the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she flew combat missions, and she served in Afghanistan in the International Security Assistance Force during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Roger Zakheim serves as the Washington director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. He has twice served as a commissioner on the Congressional Commission on the National Defense Strategy of the United States. He previously served as general counsel and deputy staff director of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, as well as deputy assistant secretary of defense, where he supported the department’s policies and programs related to Iraq and Afghanistan coalition affairs.

“I can think of no individuals better than Gen. Laura Richardson and Roger Zakheim to help guide FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power as it identifies opportunities to improve security and promote prosperity at this critical moment for our nation,” said CMPP Chairman Lt. Gen. (Ret.) H.R. McMaster.

“Gen. Richardson served our country in uniform with great distinction for decades, and I am honored to have her join CMPP’s Board. Her leadership and operational experience in the U.S. military, understanding of the threats we confront, and strategic insights will be invaluable to CMPP’s research. Roger is one of the best-informed and most influential voices on defense policy in Washington. He understands better than most the need for American military strength and the value of U.S. international leadership and engagement,” said CMPP Senior Director Bradley Bowman. “I have known them both for years and have great respect for their careers and their tremendous contributions to American national security.”

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) McMaster, the 26th U.S. national security advisor, is the Chairman of CMPP’s board of advisors. In addition to Gen. Richardson and Roger Zakheim, CMPP’s board of advisors includes former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Edward C. Cardon, Amb. Eric Edelman, Dr. David Kilcullen, Dr. Samantha Ravich, and John Hannah.

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About the Foundation for Defense of Democracies:

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies is a Washington, DC-based non-partisan policy institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. Connect with FDD on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

About the Center on Military and Political Power:

The Center on Military and Political Power promotes understanding of the defense strategies, policies, and capabilities necessary to deter and defeat threats to the freedom, security, and prosperity of Americans and our allies by providing rigorous, timely, and relevant research and analysis. CMPP is led by Senior Director Bradley Bowman. CMPP is one of FDD’s centers on American power, which also include the Center on Economic and Financial Power and the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation. Follow CMPP on X at @FDD_CMPP and follow Bradley Bowman on X at @Brad_L_Bowman.

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