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    BPI Expert Faculty

    Michael Meese, PhD and Colonel US Army

    Executive Vice President and Secretary

    AAFMAA

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.He is known for his leadership as Professor and Head of the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
    • 2.Dr. Meese was instrumental in co-founding West Point's Combating Terrorism Center (CTC).
    • 3.He held strategic military roles, including ISAF Deputy Chief of Staff in Afghanistan and senior advisor in Iraq.
    • 4.Meese co-authored key publications like 'Armed Forces Guide to Personal Financial Planning' and 'American National Security.'

    About Michael

    Michael Meese, PhD and Colonel US Army is an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, bringing extensive leadership experience from a decorated military career and a focus on organizational development and national security economics.

    Who is Michael Meese, PhD and Colonel US Army?

    Michael Meese is a distinguished leader who culminated a 32-year career in the U.S. Army as a Brigadier General. He transitioned from military service to executive leadership, currently serving as the Executive Vice President and Secretary of AAFMAA, the longest-standing non-profit association dedicated to serving the American Armed Forces with insurance and financial products. In this role, he oversees vital operations that support military personnel and their families.

    His expertise spans leadership, organizational development, and the intricate economics of national security. Meese's deep understanding of these fields is rooted in both extensive academic study, including a PhD, and critical operational experience in diverse global environments, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia.

    Quick facts about Michael Meese, PhD and Colonel US Army

    RoleExecutive Vice President and Secretary
    CompanyAAFMAA
    ExpertiseLeadership, Organizational Development, National Security Economics, Personal Financial Planning
    Notable forRetired Brigadier General, Professor and Head of Department of Social Sciences at West Point, Co-founder of West Point's Combating Terrorism Center
    BPI affiliationExpert Faculty member

    What is Michael Meese, PhD and Colonel US Army known for?

    • Leading at West Point: As Professor and Head of the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), he led 70 military and civilian faculty, directed the Economics program, and taught courses in economics and national security.
    • Founding the Combating Terrorism Center (CTC): Instrumental in establishing the CTC at West Point in 2003, where he served as Deputy Head of Social Sciences and later as a senior mentor until his retirement.
    • Strategic Military Leadership: Served in key strategic roles including ISAF Deputy Chief of Staff for General David Petraeus in Afghanistan and senior advisor to the Multinational Forces Iraq Commander during multiple tours.
    • Authoring Key Publications: Co-authored Armed Forces Guide to Personal Financial Planning and American National Security, along with numerous articles on related topics, demonstrating his commitment to sharing crucial knowledge with military families and national security practitioners.
    • Expert in National Security Economics: Teaches as an Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University's Security Studies Program, delivering the course SEST-6644: Economics of War.

    What is Michael Meese, PhD and Colonel US Army's background and experience?

    Michael Meese's career is marked by distinguished service and academic leadership. He retired as a Brigadier General from the U.S. Army after 32 years, where his final role was Professor and Head of the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Here he was responsible for leading a large faculty and developing educational programs focused on economics and national security.

    His military deployments included significant periods in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia, where he gained firsthand experience in complex political-military environments. These experiences included serving as ISAF Deputy Chief of Staff in Afghanistan and as a senior advisor to the Multinational Forces Iraq Commander. Beyond his military and executive roles, Meese holds a PhD and is a Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI), underscoring his diverse academic and professional qualifications.

    What topics does Michael Meese, PhD and Colonel US Army speak and write about?

    Dr. Meese's extensive career has provided him with a broad platform to speak and write about critical topics relevant to both military and civilian leadership. His publications, such as Armed Forces Guide to Personal Financial Planning and American National Security, highlight his deep engagement with both individual financial well-being and broader geopolitical issues.

    He frequently addresses areas such as leadership development, emphasizing the principles and practices essential for effective command and organizational success within challenging environments. His work also explores organizational development, focusing on how institutions can adapt and thrive through strategic planning and effective human capital management. Furthermore, his expertise extends to the economics of national security, providing insights into the economic dimensions of conflict and defense policy.

    How does Michael Meese, PhD and Colonel US Army contribute to the Best Practice Institute?

    As an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, Michael Meese contributes his significant knowledge and experience to BPI's mission of advancing leadership and organizational excellence, aligning with the principles of a Most Loved Workplace®.

    His unique blend of military leadership, academic rigor, and executive experience enriches BPI's content offerings. While specific webinars are not on record, his expertise in areas like leadership, organizational development, and the economics of war directly supports BPI's frameworks and assessments, including those related to the SPARK Model and the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI).

    Where can you learn more from Michael Meese, PhD and Colonel US Army?

    To delve deeper into Michael Meese's insights, you can explore his publications, including Armed Forces Guide to Personal Financial Planning and American National Security. Engagement with his academic work at Georgetown University, where he teaches on the economics of war, offers further perspectives. Information about his contributions and general areas of expertise are also available through his profile at the Best Practice Institute.

    Background & Perspective

    Background

    Michael Meese, PhD, is a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General with a distinguished 32-year career. His final military role was serving as Professor and Head of the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Secretary of AAFMAA, a non-profit association supporting the American Armed Forces. Dr. Meese holds a PhD and is a Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI). His military service included deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia.

    Areas of Expertise

    Dr. Meese is an expert in leadership development, organizational development, and the economics of national security. His work focuses on the principles and practices for effective command and institutional success in challenging environments. He also specializes in personal financial planning for military families. He teaches 'Economics of War' as an Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University's Security Studies Program.

    Topics Covered

    Meese writes and speaks on leadership, organizational strategy, national security, and financial wellness. He is the co-author of Armed Forces Guide to Personal Financial Planning and American National Security. He was instrumental in establishing the Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) at West Point in 2003 and served as a senior leader and mentor there until his retirement.

    Areas of Expertise

    Leadership DevelopmentOrganizational DevelopmentNational Security EconomicsFinancial PlanningMilitary Strategy

    Research Topics

    LeadershipOrganizational DevelopmentNational SecurityFinancial Wellness

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