Just weeks into his retirement from serving as president and CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Val Hawkins has joined the Military Family Initiative board of directors of the Military Officers Association of America.

Headquartered in Alexandria, the Military Family Initiative is a 501(c)(3) subsidiary foundation of MOAA. The initiative funds quality-of-life programs and services for uniformed service members, veterans and their families.

“We are extraordinarily fortunate to have someone of Val’s stature and experience to help guide our philanthropic foundation,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, president and CEO of MOAA. ”The breadth and depth of his work in corporate real estate development, finance and management is world-class, but as a key leader and 37-year resident of Alexandria, he also brings to the table invaluable insights into the best ways our nation’s communities can empower veterans and military families and help them thrive.”

Hawkins holds an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in Philadelphia and a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering, with a second major in economics, from Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. He is also a former senior managing director of the USAA Real Estate Co.

Hawkins served on active duty as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army for two years with deployments to Korea and a 12-month tour in Vietnam. He was the architect of the AEDP's Capitol Post initiative, which provides mentoring, training and business connections to returning veterans.

For more information, visit www.moaa.org/Foundation/ or call 800-234-MOAA (6622).