MCAA LEADERSHIP
Board of Directors
National Commander
LtGen Robert S. Walsh, USMC (Ret)
Deputy Commander
LtGen Terry Robling, USMC (Ret)
Treasurer
Col Chris Boniface, USMC (Ret)
Adjutant
Col Paul Fortunato, USMC (Ret)
Senior Enlisted Advisor
MSgt John Newport, USMC (Ret)
Legal Counsel
Vacant
Previous Commander
LtGen Thomas Conant, USMC (Ret)
Previous Commander
LtGen Jon Davis, USMC (Ret)
Previous Commander
LtGen Keith Stalder, USMC (Ret)
Previous Commander
Gen William Nyland, USMC (Ret)
West District Lead
Col Earl Wederbrook, USMC (Ret)
South District Lead
Col Chris Seymour, USMC (Ret)
Southeast District Lead
Col John Gumbel, USMC (Ret)
North District Lead
Col Laura Sampsel, USMC (Ret)
Northeast District Lead
Col James Quinn, USMC (Ret)
Governance Committee Lead
Col John Rupp, USMC (Ret)
Membership Committee Lead
Col Michael Orr, USMC (Ret)
Strategy Committee Lead
BGen Kevin Killea, USMC (Ret)
Audit Committee Lead
Col Al Sullivan, USMC (Ret)
Industry Committee
Col John Ostrowski, USMC (Ret)
MCAA Community Services Lead
LtGen David Beydler, USMC (Ret)
Executive Director
Col Bob "Strombo" Deforge, USMC (Ret)
Strombo hails from Plattsburgh, NY and currently lives in Alexandria, VA.
He is a 28-year Marine Corps veteran with experience in combat operations and numerous billets, to include MEU Det Commander for an AV8B Detachment, Squadron Commander, and three tours at HQMC in Programs & Resources, including one as “Prince of the POM” during 9/11. He retired from active duty in October 2010. He has over 2500 flight hours in the A-4M Skyhawk and AV8B Harriers.
Since retiring from the Marine Corps, Strombo spent 15 years in Industry, recently retiring after 11 and a half years with Pratt & Whitney as the Director for Customer Requirements for Military Engines. He also served on the NDIA DC Chapter Board, the USO Eastern Region Board, and the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation's Scarlet and Gold Committee, chairing the Dinner/Gala for seven years. Strombo has also been on the MCAA board for the past 15 years, working seven years as the Treasurer, and most recently as a member of the MCAACS team. He assumed the role as MCAA Executive Director in July 2025.
Strombo and his wife, Carolyn, have been married for 35 years and have four grown children, two of which are Marines. On weekends, he enjoys riding his Harley and playing lead guitar in his blues/rock band, “New Legacy Blues”. Strombo has been playing in bands for decades and once opened for ZZ Top at a special event back in 2017.
Director of Administration
Debbie Martin
Debbie was born into a military family. Her father served 31 years in the USAF and her brother and husband are also USAF veterans. Though she lived many places throughout the United States growing up, Debbie spent much of her life in Georgia, where she graduated college with a degree in Public Service/Human Services. Debbie spent many years working in finance and banking before deciding to get involved in animal rescue and welfare as a full-time volunteer. During her time in Georgia, she helped start and grow a non-profit animal rescue organization that assisted in saving hundreds of unwanted and abandoned animals, and she is an advocate for special needs and senior pet adoption.
Debbie began working with MCAA in 2017 when she relocated to Northern Virginia from Georgia, and now resides on Florida’s Space Coast. She is an avid pro sports fan and also enjoys singing, spending time on the beach, visiting local theme parks, playing pickleball, and hanging out with her husband, Dalton, and their dog, Disco.
Director of Public Relations
Kelly Rupp
Kelly is a veteran of creating and managing groups of people with the intent of building lasting relationships for organizations and individuals. Along with her extensive retail background and her undeniable need to serve others, she has worked for numerous military nonprofits. Kelly was born and raised in Maryland. She attended the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and Villa Julie. She is married to John "Pappy" Rupp and has four daughters. After twenty two moves, Alexandria Virginia is home. When she is not baking sourdough breads, she is most likely hiking on the west coast with one of her daughters or sneaking in a good book.
Managing Editor/Director of Outreach
Bethany Jones
Bethany is a University of California Davis alum, and joins us with a strong Air Force connection, in being a wife, mother, daughter and granddaughter of servicemen. Moving across the country while growing up made becoming an Active-Duty spouse a little easier, and her favorite assignments were Stuttgart Germany and Colorado Springs.
After raising their two boys, her husband retired while stationed at the Pentagon in 2012, and they have now made their way back to the Pacific time zone to be closer to family. She considers her home as being “out west”, and currently lives in San Pedro, CA.
Bethany has diverse work experience in fields including military non-profit, education, health and wellness, guest relations, real estate and even animal husbandry. She loves her bicycles more than most, and enjoys the challenge of practicing both crossfit and yoga. Off of her bike, she finds joy in spending time with her boys and their families, including two “cutest on the planet” granddaughters, and in helping rehabilitate injured marine mammals and birds along the California coast.