Quantico, VA – The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation has announced that former Marine Corps Assistant Commandant and Rogers Corporation Chairman and CEO, General Walter E. Boomer was recently named the Foundation’s new Chairman of the Board.  As Chairman of the Board, General Boomer’s new role leading the Foundation Board of Directors will include continuing the expansion and completion of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Heritage Center, a 135 acre complex in Quantico, Virginia.

"We are honored and pleased to have General Boomer serve as our new Chairman," said General Ron Christmas, President and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.  "We at the Foundation look forward to his exemplary leadership in advancing our work to preserve U.S. Marine Corps history and establish the Marine Corps Heritage Center; not only for Marines, but for all Americans."

A Rich Square, North Carolina native and Duke University graduate, General Boomer served 34 years in the Marine Corps, retiring in 1994.  His service in the Corps included two tours in Vietnam as a combat commander and advisor to a South Vietnamese Marine infantry battalion. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal twice for his actions in combat.  In 1990/91 General Boomer served as Commanding General, Marine Corps Central Command and I Marine Expeditionary Force in Saudi Arabia, leading all Marines during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  He was promoted to General and named Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1992.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, General Boomer went on to become Executive Vice President of McDermott International and President of Babcock and Wilcox Power Generation Group.  In 1997 he joined Rogers Corporation as President and CEO. General Boomer was appointed Chairman of the Board in 2002 and retired from the company in 2004, remaining a Director of the corporation. General Boomer is also the Lead Director of Baxter International and a Director of Taylor Energy Company.  He currently resides in Bray’s Island Plantation, Sheldon, South Carolina with his wife Sandi.

"As Chairman of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, it is my distinct privilege to lead a very talented and distinguished Board of Directors who are dedicated to the mission of completing the Marine Corps Heritage Center," said General Walter E. Boomer.  "By helping share and preserve the history and culture of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Foundation is creating a lasting tribute to every Marine and an important resource for our nation."

Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Marine Corps history, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation was established in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization.  The Foundation supports the historical programs of the Marine Corps in ways not possible through government funds, providing grants and scholarships for research and the renovation, restoration and commissioning of historical Marine Corps artifacts and landmarks.  Securing the necessary funding for the complete construction of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center is the Foundation’s current primary mission while continuing to provide program support for the Corps’ historical, museum, and educational activities.

To speak with General Boomer, contact Chris Vassil at 202-340-8099 or cvassil@susandavis.com.