WASHINGTON - Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth swore in the following five new Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army during an investiture ceremony at the Pentagon on Dec. 3, 2024: Lester Lumbad from Las Vegas, Nevada; Rich Morales from East Greenwich, Rhode Island; Lance O'Bryan from Fort Knox, Kentucky; Edward Salo from Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Frank Vitale from Morgantown, West Virginia.
"It's an honor to have these five outstanding new CASAs representing the Army," said Secretary of the Army Wormuth. "Our CASAs are instrumental in building and maintaining relationships between the Army and communities across the country. The work they do is critically important, especially in our efforts to spread the Army story and recruit the next generation of soldiers."
Lumbad served as a staff sergeant as an electronic warfare specialist in the Air Force for seven years. After leaving active duty, he worked in Washington, D.C., for the Department of Defense as a senior systems engineer for Raytheon. Lumbad and his family moved to Las Vegas in 2017. In 2021, he founded the Southern Nevada Veterans Chamber of Commerce, an organization that aims to serve local veteran-owned businesses.
"I am highly honored to be selected by Secretary Wormuth to serve as the civilian aide for our region," Lumbad said.
Morales is a retired brigadier general and Purple Heart recipient who served globally in various leadership roles. He holds degrees from institutions including West Point and Yale University.
"I am honored to connect our Army to my communities," said Morales.
O'Bryan retired after nearly 26 years with U.S. Army service and recently served as garrison commander at Fort Knox. He now leads Knox Regional Development Alliance.
"It is my distinct honor and privilege to be selected by Secretary Wormuth," said O'Bryan.
Salo is a professor at Arkansas State University deeply committed to bridging gaps between military history and civilian understanding through education.
"I am very excited about this opportunity," said Salo.
Vitale served nearly two decades with U.S. Army Reserve/West Virginia National Guard before founding Forge Business Solutions focused on strategic growth initiatives.
"It is greatest honor...as a CASA for West Virginia," said Vitale.
CASAs promote good relations between the Army and public while advising on regional issues supporting workforce recruitment/transitioning Soldiers out military service.
Each state/DC/U.S territories have one/more CASAs providing vital link serving communities interest welfare army their locales