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James A. Roy

Executive Director of The American College Center for Veterans Affairs

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (Ret.) James A. Roy oversees The American College Center for Veterans Affairs’ research, programs and outreach to provide educational support and career opportunities to eligible service members, veterans and their spouses.

As Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Roy represented the highest level of leadership among noncommissioned officers in the U.S. Air Force — only the 16th service member appointed to such a position — and in his role provided direction for enlisted men and women, as well as representing their interests to the American public and all levels of government. He served as the personal advisor to the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale and proper utilization and progress of enlisted forces.

In his business career, Chief Roy also most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for Silotech Group, a small company focused on advanced cyber, intelligence, IT and modernization solutions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Roy brought on 20 new employees to the firm, expanded to three new business sectors as part of his vision to grow Silotech beyond small business status, and brought in nearly $20 million in annual revenue.

Chief Roy grew up in Monroe, MI, and entered the Air Force in 1982. He has been stationed in Guam, South Korea, Kuwait and Japan, as well as Hawaii, Florida, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina and Virginia. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in engineering management from Park College and a Master’s degree in human resource management from Troy State College and has worked a variety of civil engineer duties. His military background includes roles at squadron, group, numbered Air Force, and combatant command levels, as well as serving as Senior Enlisted Leader and advisor to the U.S. Pacific Command.

A charismatic speaker and presenter with a strong background in effectively leading high-performance teams and implementing organizational change, Chief Roy’s passion for education and helping others serves as a through-line from his time in the military to corporate roles. He has overseen diverse projects, including professional development of enlisted forces at home and abroad, designing a strategic development model to grow the next generation of Air Force enlisted leaders through an Enlisted Development team that provides guidance and mentorship to 25,000 senior NCOs. In addition, he worked to promote programs ensuring National Guard and Reserve forces are trained to the same standard as their active-duty counterparts.

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