TOM KUHAR, CommandER, USCG (Ret), CEO and President

tkuhar@fcef.com, 817.569.2500

Tom joined the First Command Educational Foundation as President in May 2022 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer & President in January 2024. He has since led a strategic realignment that sharpened the Foundation’s mission and accelerated growth. Today, he drives vision, fundraising, and execution to expand scholarship programs that increase access to education for military families, honoring service and helping build enduring legacies.

Before joining the Foundation, Tom worked in project management within the construction industry, overseeing a large commercial hotel build and coordinating owners, design teams, contractors, schedule, and quality execution.

Tom’s leadership foundation was built during a nearly 25-year career in the United States Coast Guard. He enlisted in 1995 and later earned a commission through Officer Candidate School. Over a 21-year officer career, he commanded a patrol boat, served as Executive Officer of a maritime anti-terrorism team, led counterterrorism operations, managed national law enforcement training programs, and served as Chief of the Joint Strategic Planning Division at Coast Guard Headquarters. His final assignment was as Coast Guard Liaison and advisor to United States Central Command before retiring in 2019.

Tom holds a B.S. in Environmental Resources Management & Planning from the University of West Florida and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute and a Chartered Leadership Fellow through The American College of Financial Services.

Tom and his wife live in the Greater Tampa Bay area and have two college-aged children. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, discovering new food, and cheering on his son’s college baseball team.

Lisa Kennedy, Director of Development

lykennedy@fcef.com, 817.569.3401
A North Texas native, Lisa joined FCEF in March 2020 as a Development Specialist. She enjoys traveling, reading, arts and culture, and a good concert. Lisa and her husband, John, have two adult children and three grand-dogs and make their home in Arlington. Lisa has 20 years of non-profit experience, making her an excellent addition to our team.

Sydney Spidell, Digital Outreach & Programs Specialist

sspidell@fcef.com, 817.569.3624

Sydney Spidell joined FCEF in 2022. She was born and raised in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and has always gravitated towards fine arts. Eventually, her interest in fine arts developed into a passion for Graphic Design, which she studied at North Lake College. Two of her favorite things are animals and vinyl records. If she’s not admiring her pets, Sydney can be found listening to records on her turntable. Sydney’s background in graphic design enables her to assist in the office and on special events in various areas. Her eagerness to dive into new tasks makes her a great asset to the FCEF team!

Julie Malwitz, Director of Programs and Operations

jcmalwitz@fcef.com, 817.569.2634

Julie earned her Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences degree in Non-profit and Volunteer Management from the University of North Texas. She has been building and supporting programs since 2011, and today she oversees FCEF’s scholarship programs and manages the organization’s daily operations. Julie is passionate about creating opportunities for military families and helping students reach their goals. Outside of work, she and her husband enjoy road trips with their two dogs, and she is grateful for the blessing of being mom to Zachary and Alee.

Julie “Juls” McRee, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Growth

jamcree@fcef.com, 817.569.3156
Juls joined FCEF in July 2018 with more than 20 years of experience as a technical writer, curriculum development specialist, and training specialist. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating Cum Laude. For 32 years, Juls served in many organizations as a volunteer and paid staff member as a military spouse. Her career highlights include working with the Army Family Team Building program, Cornell University assisting in the development of handbooks and facilitator guides for the Army’s Soldier and Family Program’s “Operation Ready,” developing curricula and training material for Army Community Service programs, and developing curricula in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University for the Office for Reintegration Program OSD/Reserve Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP). Juls is passionate about military families and has devoted her life to programs that create self-reliant, independent, and strong military families.

Michelle Nelson, Content and Resource Developer

mnelson1@fcef.com
Michelle joined FCEF in January 2022 as the Instructional Support Specialist for the Take Command® program, working as a writer and editor. She has a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Washington and Elementary Education Certification from Western Governors University.

A military spouse for 28 years, Michelle served in many organizations as a volunteer. She has experience providing new military spouses training and information about what to expect from military life, including finances, insurance, healthcare, and family life. After 17 military moves, her family has settled in Minnesota. Michelle is dedicated to service members and their spouses; ensuring their transition into the military and life beyond is seamless.

Ed Daffron

Ed joined First Command Financial Services in 2003 and has served in many leadership roles, including Financial Advisor, District Advisor and Registered Principal, Vice President of Division Operations (West), Vice President of Field Force Training, and his current position, Senior Vice President and Director of Advisor Operations for the Gulf Coast. He has helped hundreds of families pursue their financial goals, recruited, trained, and developed Financial Advisors, and earned numerous awards and professional recognitions over the course of his career.

Ed believes lasting financial success is driven by behavior. He focuses on building effective habits and aligning financial plans with clients’ and advisors’ core values and long-term goals.

Prior to First Command Financial Services, Ed served four years in the U.S. Army as a Chemical Corps officer. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional and a member of the Financial Planning Association and GAMA International. Ed is a Tulane University graduate, holds multiple securities and insurance licenses, and is married with twin boys.

Rick Batten,

Taono, Virginia

Rick is a retired financial services professional, former U.S. Army aviator, and longtime civic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to leadership, public service, and community engagement. Over a 36-year career in financial services, he served as a personal financial planner, wealth manager, and in several branch manager positions, ultimately rising to Senior Vice President at First Command Financial Planning, where he led one of the firm’s five divisions.

Prior to his civilian career, Rick served six years in the U.S. Army as an aviator, fulfilling his ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate scholarship commitment before resigning his commission. Throughout his life and career, he has demonstrated an enduring commitment to learning, discipline, and integrity, along with a strong respect for teamwork and mission-focused execution.

Since retiring in 2024, Rick has remained actively engaged in civic and community organizations. In addition to serving as Chairman of our Board, he is a board member of the Kiwanis Club of the Williamsburg Foundation and The Williamsburg House of Mercy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts from James Madison University and has completed numerous Army leadership courses, the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Civic Leadership Program, and Executive MBA studies at the College of William & Mary. He also holds multiple professional securities designations and insurance licenses.

Rick is dedicated to supporting organizations that empower veterans and their families to achieve their full potential.

TAMARA PULLIN,

Fort Worth, Texas

In her professional life, Tamara Schiffner Pullin serves as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of First Command Financial Services, Inc., where her practice focuses on supporting a field of independent contractor financial advisors and enforcing advisor agreements through litigation when necessary.

A graduate of the University of Oklahoma for undergraduate studies and the University of Oklahoma Law School, Tamara is a 25-year attorney. Her practice began in complex commercial litigation in some of the largest law firms in the country before moving in-house, first at MidFirst Bank and then at First Command Financial Services.

Tamara grew up in a small town in East Texas as the daughter of public school educators and knows that access to higher education and the encouragement to pursue law school changed her own life. Because of this, she is passionate about FCEF’s education-focused mission.

Tamara is a single mom intentionally raising her two teenage boys to become men of integrity. She finds travel life-giving, especially exploring European cities, hiking mountains, or relaxing on a Caribbean beach. Yoga, long walks with her dog, weightlifting, and Mahjong with friends fill her small pockets of free time.

William E. King, IV

Brigadier General, US Army, (Ret.)

Monkton, MD

William King is a Strategy, Policy, and Planing Expert and retired US Army Brigadier General with over 35 years of experience in creating, planning, and implementing strategic mission-critical operations for international, interagency, and military processes. William has served in a wide variety of command, leadership, and staff positions across numerous levels of the U.S. Army, Joint Task Forces, and regional commands, culminating with his time as Commanding General of the Joint Task Force Elimination, Interagency National Technical Nuclear Forensic Task Force, and 20th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosives (CBRNE) Command. Currently at Booz Allen Hamilton, William is responsible for leading and assessing Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) synchronization and integration activities. Throughout his career, William has worked extensively to support international and interagency collaboration by providing strategic recommendations at the highest levels to promote shared understanding of prevention, protection, and recovery capabilities and challenges across military and political leaders of NATO member states and Partner Nations. He has facilitated and led operations across U.S. and South Korean governments along with six other nations. He leads and facilitates numerous National and International forums. Additionally, while in the U.S. Army, he gained expertise in operations management, strategic communications, and leading organizational change. He has developed innovative strategic communication plans and engagement strategies in support of national and defense objectives, increasing trust and confidence in our capabilities and overall readiness for several operational and strategic Commands. He is an exceptional communicator, prolific writer, and proven strategic thinker, and his background demonstrates extensive program management sucesses and creating visions in multifaceted social and cross-cultural environments.

Sunday E. Morgan

CPA, MBA, Treasurer Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, First Command Financial Services

Arlington, Texas

Sunday Morgan is Chief Financial Officer and a Senior Vice President at First Command Financial Services. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Team, where she leads the company’s financial decisions and is responsible for all accounting, analysis, and reporting. Sunday began her career at First Command in 2005 after graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. She is proud to be a part of an organization with the noble mission of “coaching those who serve in their pursuit of financial security.” Over her career, Sunday has achieved increasing levels of leadership, obtained the CPA and CGMA credentials, and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She is an active Chicago Booth alumnus, working as an ambassador for the MBA program. Sunday enjoys running and scuba diving and spends much of her free time watching her daughter Jude perform in local theater productions. Sunday joined the First Command Educational Foundation Board of Directors in March 2019.

Timi Jorgensen, PhD

Assistant Professor and Director of Financial Education & Well-Being at The American College of Financial Services

ATHENS, GEORGIA

Timi Joy Jorgensen, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and Director of Financial Education & Well-Being at The American College of Financial Services. She joined the faculty in June 2020 after completing a six-month fellowship with The College. 

Jorgensen’s research focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in financial services and on financial wellbeing and empowerment. Jorgensen has been a speaker, panelist, and contributor on the topic of creating a more inclusive and empowering financial services profession. She has spoken at conferences, on radio shows, and to several hundred couples, single parents, and individuals through her time in the financial planning profession and during financial literacy courses and one-on-one financial coaching sessions. Jorgensen is passionate about making financial planning a more approachable and empowering topic available to all American households. Jorgensen is particularly passionate about bringing financial education and wellbeing to active-duty military families, veterans of all military branches, and first responders and their families.

Jorgensen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in personal financial planning from Utah Valley University and completed her PhD in financial planning from the University of Georgia.

Tom Kuhar

Chief Executive Officer and President, FCEF

Valrico, FL

Tom joined the First Command Educational Foundation as President in May 2022 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer & President in January 2024. He has since led a strategic realignment that sharpened the Foundation’s mission and accelerated growth. Today, he drives vision, fundraising, and execution to expand scholarship programs that increase access to education for military families, honoring service and helping build enduring legacies.

Before joining the Foundation, Tom worked in project management within the construction industry, overseeing a large commercial hotel build and coordinating owners, design teams, contractors, schedule, and quality execution.

Tom’s leadership foundation was built during a nearly 25-year career in the United States Coast Guard. He enlisted in 1995 and later earned a commission through Officer Candidate School. Over a 21-year officer career, he commanded a patrol boat, served as Executive Officer of a maritime anti-terrorism team, led counterterrorism operations, managed national law enforcement training programs, and served as Chief of the Joint Strategic Planning Division at Coast Guard Headquarters. His final assignment was as Coast Guard Liaison and advisor to United States Central Command before retiring in 2019.

Tom holds a B.S. in Environmental Resources Management & Planning from the University of West Florida and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute and a Chartered Leadership Fellow through The American College of Financial Services.

Tom and his wife live in the Greater Tampa Bay area and have two college-aged children. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, discovering new food, and cheering on his son’s college baseball team.

Jay Land

Program Manager, Booz Allen Hamilton

Ooltewah, Tennessee

A member of our board since February 2023, Jay currently serves as a Team Lead within Booz Allen’s Advana portfolio. Advana is a modern data platform that pulls data from hundreds of business systems to make data discoverable, understandable, and usable for advanced analytics aligned to the National Defense Strategy.
Prior to joining Booz Allen, Jay retired as a US Army Lieutenant Colonel, with more than 15 years of senior executive leadership experience managing and directing the operations and activities of Defense organizations ranging in scale from 300 to more than 2,500 personnel.

Scott Spidell

Vice President of Strategic Marketing, First Command Financial Services

Fort Worth, Texas

Scott oversees strategic brand and marketing initiatives as well as marketing operations for First Command Financial Services, which is dedicated to coaching our Nation’s military families to become financially disciplined and confident. He is charged with building and enhancing prospective and existing client engagement/lead generation as well as advisor recruitment.

Prior to First Command Financial Services, Scott served in various marketing roles at FIS, Transamerica, and Countrywide. Prior to his career in financial services marketing, Scott was a police officer in Beaumont, Texas. Scott joined our board in April of 2024.

Will Sager

Associate Director of Portfolio Management, First Command Financial Services

Fort Worth, Texas

Will Sager is an Associate Director of Portfolio Management at First Command Financial Services and a senior leader on the Investment Management Team. In this role, Will conducts portfolio research and manages a team of due diligence investment analysts. He oversees the managed account program with over $22B in assets under management as well as guidance portfolios for over $20B in mutual fund assets under advisement. Will holds a BBA in Finance and Accounting from Texas Christian University and is a CFA charterholder.