A former U.S. Congressman for New York's 19th and 20th districts, Gibson served in the U.S. Army from 1986 to 2010, rising to the rank of colonel. He was deployed in the Gulf War, Kosovo, and Iraq, and later served as the president of Siena College from 2020 to 2023.
A Capital Region native, MG Greene was the highest-ranking U.S. Army officer killed in action since the Vietnam War. During his service in the United States Army, he held several leadership roles focused on engineering and logistical support for U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. At the time of his passing in 2014, he was serving as the deputy commanding general of the Combined Security Transition Command.
Rutherford earned a B.A. in English and Sociology from SUNY while in the ROTC program. After a delay for priestly formation at Saint Bernard’s Seminary, he was ordained in 1981 for the Diocese of Albany. He served as a U.S. Army Reserve chaplain before entering active duty in 1990.
He deployed during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Hurricane Andrew Relief, and Iraqi Freedom, and served with units including U.S. Army Europe, XVIII Airborne Corps, and the 82nd Airborne Division.
In 2011, Rutherford was promoted to major general and appointed Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Army, a position he held until 2015. He now serves as Vicar for Clergy in the Diocese of Albany.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Michael Papadopoulos, a Troy, NY native, graduated from Siena College in 1982 with a B.S. in Finance and was commissioned through Army ROTC. He later earned an M.S. in Systems Management from Florida Tech and served over 25 years on active duty, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2008. He now serves as Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students at Siena College.
LTC (R) Papadopoulos held numerous stateside and overseas assignments, including Professor of Military Science at Siena and the University of Rhode Island. From 1998 to 2000, he was the U.S. Liaison Officer to NATO’s Advanced Command Post in Greece, supporting operations in Kosovo. His career also included key logistics and leadership roles with the 3rd Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division, and 2nd Corps Support Command, with deployments to Kuwait, Egypt, and Germany during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Vigilant Warrior.
He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and NATO Staff Officers Course. His awards include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and multiple campaign and service medals.
General Martin, commissioned in 1978 through Siena College’s ROTC, served a distinguished career as an Armor Officer with key roles both in the U.S. and abroad. He was Deputy Adjutant General of New York and commanded a 24,000-member force with a $400 million budget.
His notable roles include Strategic Analyst for General Schwarzkopf, Political Military Planner for the Joint Chiefs, and Program Manager for Army Force XXI. He led New York’s 9/11 military response and helped create the state’s 100% tuition assistance law for service members.
He holds degrees from Siena College and Catholic University, completed executive education at Harvard, and is a graduate of the Army’s top military schools. A Ranger, Paratrooper, and combat veteran, he brings deep leadership and service experience.