Burke W. Whitman
{{short description|United States Marine Corps general}}
{{Infobox military person
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| name = Burke W. Whitman
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| image = Burke-whitman1.jpg
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| caption = Burke W. Whitman
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| allegiance = {{flagicon|United States}} United States of America
| branch = {{Marines|United States}}
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| rank = 32px Major General
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- United States Marine Corps Reserve
- 4th Marine Division
- 25th Marine Regiment
- 4th Reconnaissance Battalion
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| awards = {{plainlist|
- Parachutist Badge
- Naval Aviation Observer Badge
- Rifle Expert Badge
- Pistol Sharpshooter Badge
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit (2)
- Bronze Star Medal
- Combat Action Ribbon (2)
- Presidential Unit Citation
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}}Burke W. Whitman is an American executive, board director, and former [https://www.marines.mil United States Marine Corps] general. He serves and leads national and global organizations in business, civil society, and national service.
Business
Whitman is Chief Executive of [https://colmarholdings.com Colmar Holdings], which provides capital and governance to enterprises committed to the common good.{{Cite web|title=Chief Executive Officer — Burke W. Whitman|url=https://colmarholdings.com|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Colmar Holdings}} He is a member of the Boards of Directors of two publicly listed companies: [https://www.amicusrx.com Amicus Therapeutics] (Nasdaq: FOLD), a global biotech and biopharma company which provides advanced therapies for rare diseases;{{Cite web|title=Burke W. Whitman|url=https://www.amicusrx.com/about-us/leadership/donald-j-hayden-jr/|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Amicus Therapeutics|date=19 September 2018 }}{{Cite press release|last=Winkler|first=Marco|date=May 13, 2019|title=Amicus Therapeutics Appoints Burke W. Whitman to its Board of Directors|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/05/13/1822978/0/en/Amicus-Therapeutics-Appoints-Burke-W-Whitman-to-its-Board-of-Directors.html|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Amicus Therapeutics}} and [http://www.omegahealthcare.com Omega Healthcare Investors] (NYSE: OHI), a global health and real estate company which invests capital in the future of senior care.{{Cite web|title=Burke W. Whitman- Director since 2018|url=http://www.omegahealthcare.com/investor-relations/corporate-governance/officers-and-directors|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.}}
Previously, he served as CEO, CFO, and President of four nationwide companies, two of them Fortune 500, all successfully sold.{{Cite web|title=Health Management Associates, Inc. Announces Burke W. Whitman as President and Chief Operating Officer|url=https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/-b-health-management-associates-inc-b-announces-b-burke-w-whitman-b-as-president-and-chief-operating-officer-/|website=BioSpace|date=17 November 2005 |access-date=May 26, 2020}} In reverse chronology, he was CEO of Health Management (NYSE Fortune 500); founding CFO of Triad Hospitals (NYSE Fortune 500);{{Cite press release|title=Triad CFO Resigns|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20051117005390/en/Triad-CFO-Resigns|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Business Wire}}{{Cite web|title=Burke Whitman - Triad Hospitals Inc.|url=https://www.twst.com/interview/burke-whitman-triad-hospitals-inc|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=The Wall Street Transcript|date=14 September 2001}} founding President of Deerfield Healthcare (private); and Vice President of [https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180329006179/en/LHC-Group-and-Almost-Family-Announce-Stockholder-Approval-and-Closing-of-Merger-of-Equals-Transaction Almost Family] (Nasdaq). Earlier he was a corporate and real estate investment banker with [https://www.morganstanley.com Morgan Stanley] (NYSE: MS).{{Cite news|date=January 12, 2004|title=Burke Whitman, CFO of Triad Hospitals|work=Corporate Financing Week|publisher=Institutional Investor}}
Civil Society
Whitman serves national missions in education, defense, and health. He serves or has served on the board of directors of the [https://www.marineheritage.org Marine Corps Heritage Foundation],{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Our Leadership & Team|url=https://www.marineheritage.org/our-leadership--team.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808065909/https://www.marineheritage.org/our-leadership--team.html |archive-date=2020-08-08 |access-date=February 11, 2021|website=Marine Corps Heritage Foundation}} the Board of Trustees of [https://www.lovett.org The Lovett School],{{Cite web|title=Trustees|url=https://www.lovett.org/about/trustees|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Lovett School}} the Board of Directors of the [https://www.fah.org Federation of American Hospitals], the Board of Directors of the [https://www.toysfortots.org Toys for Tots Foundation] (a [https://www.forbes.com/top-charities/list/#tab:rank Forbes 100 charity]),{{Cite web|title=Board Farewells Chairman of the Board, Bob Shea, and Director, Burke Whitman|url=https://www.toysfortots.org/about_toys_for_tots/toys_for_tots_foundation/WEBfnl_Sum2018_TFTNWS.pdf|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Toys for Tots|page=14}} the Board of Visitors of [https://www.usmcu.edu Marine Corps University], the Founders Group of the [https://www.usmcmuseum.com National Museum of the Marine Corps], and the Reserve Forces Policy Board which advises the Secretary of Defense.{{Cite web|title=Burke W. Whitman, USMCR (Ret) - Board Member|url=https://rfpb.defense.gov/Board-Biographies/whitman/|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Reserve Forces Policy Board}} He sponsors service leadership programs for students, and has given the commencement address at [https://www.lovett.org The Lovett School].{{Cite web|date=June 10, 2017|title=Lovett graduation|url=https://www.mdjonline.com/neighbor_newspapers/lovett-graduation/collection_c7a2638a-4dee-11e7-8886-4bb675a8f8ae.html#4|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=The Neighbor|page=4}} He has delivered service addresses at Dartmouth College, [https://www.hbs.edu/Pages/default.aspx Harvard Business School],{{Cite web|title=Veterans Day Celebration|url=http://veterans.sigs.harvard.edu/events_past.html|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Harvard Veterans Alumni Association}} and the Union League Club of New York.
National Service
Concurrently through 2018, Whitman served as a Major General and the senior reserve officer of the U.S. Marine Corps, capping three decades of uniformed service, including a dozen years on active duty, with multiple combat deployments, tours in the Pentagon, and command at every level.{{cite web|title=Major General Burke W. Whitman|url=https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS02/20151028/104138/HHRG-114-AS02-Bio-WhitmanB-20151028.pdf|access-date=July 30, 2018|publisher=United States House of Representatives}} As an infantry officer, he conducted seven deployments and commanded platoons, companies, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, and 25th Marine Regiment. As a general, he was recalled to active duty, led three more deployments, served as the Commanding General of Marine Forces Reserve and the 4th Marine Division,{{Cite web|last=Martens|first=Melissa|date=September 8, 2018|title=Lt. Gen. McMillian relinquishes Corps' largest command to Maj. Gen. Whitman|url=https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Marine-Reserve-News-Photos/Marine-Reserve-News/Article/1624736/lt-gen-mcmillian-relinquishes-corps-largest-command-to-maj-gen-whitman/|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve}} and was tapped by the Secretary of Defense to serve as the Department’s Uniformed Spokesperson.{{Cite web|last1=McIntyre|first1=Jamie|last2=Tritten|date=October 31, 2018|title=Jim Mattis taps fellow Marine general to speak for the Pentagon|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/jim-mattis-taps-fellow-marine-general-to-speak-for-the-pentagon|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Washington Examiner}} Following completion of active duty in 2018, he retired as the senior reserve officer in order to return to civilian service.
Early life and education
Whitman holds masters degrees in business, strategy, and ministry. He is a graduate of [https://www.hbs.edu/Pages/default.aspx Harvard Business School] (MBA), the [https://www.armywarcollege.edu/overview.cfm Army War College] (MSS), and [https://www.nashotah.edu Nashotah House Theological Seminary] (MM 2021).{{Cite book|url=https://www.nashotah.edu/sites/default/files/MISSIONER-FALL2019-Vol33-No2.pdf|title=Nashotah House 2019 Matriculating Class|publisher=The Missioner|year=2019|edition=8|volume=33|pages=33}} He earned a BA from [https://home.dartmouth.edu Dartmouth College] on a scholarship, where he was a member of the [http://www.dartmouthrfc.com rugby team]{{Cite web|last=Furlong|first=Lisa|date=October 2012|title=Brig. Gen. Burke Whitman '78|url=https://dartmouthalumnimagazine.com/articles/call-duty-part-3|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Dartmouth Alumni Magazine}} and Sphinx Senior Society. Reared in Atlanta, he earned a diploma from [https://www.lovett.org The Lovett School].
Awards
Dartmouth College awarded him its first annual James Wright Award for Distinguished Service,{{Cite web|title=2014 Group of the Year: Dartmouth Uniformed Service Alumni|url=https://www.alumni.dartmouth.edu/2014-group-year-dartmouth-uniformed-service-alumni|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Dartmouth Alumni}} named for a president of the college and presented to an alumnus whose “lifetime exemplifies the ideals of service, college, and country.” Dartmouth Alumni Magazine featured a cover article on him which explored the commonalities between his business and military service leadership.{{Cite web|date=October 2012|title=War Stories|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/119876550/Dartmouth-Alumni-Magazine|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Dartmouth Alumni Magazine}}
Institutional Investor Magazine named him a repeat Best CFO and Best CEO.{{Cite news|date=July 2006|title=The Top CFOs in Dallas|work=Dallas CEO}}{{Cite web|last=Osterland|first=Andrew|date=February 12, 2004|title=The Best CFOs in America|url=https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b15136kxvzq1x2/the-best-cfos-in-america|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=Institutional Investor}} The Washington Examiner reported on its editorial page that he was worth $580 million to corporate shareholders based on stock market reaction to the announcement of his appointment as CEO.{{Cite web|last=Knight|first=Robert|date=October 27, 2009|title=How to encourage failure|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/27/how-to-encourage-failure/|access-date=May 26, 2020|website=The Washington Times}} Fortune Magazine recognized Triad as the fastest growing Fortune 500 company in earnings per share (EPS) during the period he was CFO.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=February 13, 2021|title=Fortune 500 2007: Top Companies- Growth in Profits (5 Yr)|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/performers/companies/growth_in_profits/5yr.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070423093956/http://money.cnn.com:80/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/performers/companies/growth_in_profits/5yr.html |archive-date=2007-04-23 |access-date=|website=CNN}}
The United States of America awarded him the Distinguished Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbons, Presidential Unit Citation, and other military decorations.
Military awards: :
110px |
110px |
110px |
File:USMC Pistol Sharpshooter badge.png |
- File:Navy Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg Distinguished Service Medal
- 60px Defense Superior Service Medal
- 60px Legion of Merit with gold star device
- 60px Bronze Star Medal
- 60px Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- 60px Meritorious Service Medal with gold star device
- File:Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- 60px Combat Action Ribbon with gold star device
- 60px Presidential Unit Citation
- File:Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).png Joint Meritorious Unit Award
- File:U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.jpg Navy Unit Commendation
- File:Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
- File:Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal ribbon.svg Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal with four bronze stars
- 60px National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device
- 60px Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- File:Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg Afghanistan Campaign Medal with four bronze stars
- 60px Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze star
- 60px Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- File:Korea Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg Korean Defense Service Medal
- File:Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.png Armed Forces Service Medal
- File:Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three bronze stars
- File:Armed Forces Reserve Medal ribbon.svg Reserve Forces Medal with bronze hourglass, letter M, and numeral 3
- File:NATO Medal ribbon (Non-Article 5).svg NATO Medal with one bronze star
File:Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Burke W. Whitman}}
- [https://rfpb.defense.gov/Board-Biographies/whitman/ Reserve Forces Policy Board Biography]
- [https://www.amicusrx.com/about-us/leadership/burke-w-whitman/ Amicus Therapeutics Board of Directors]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitman, Burke W.}}
Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:United States Marine Corps generals
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Dartmouth College alumni
Category:United States Army War College alumni