USBA is proud to serve the families who serve our Nation

Lieutenant General Earl B. Hailston is currently serving as the Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Pacific/Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Bases, Pacific headquartered at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. He assumed his current assignment on August 10, 2001.

General Hailston enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1967. Following graduation from boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division for duty as an infantry rifleman. He received his commission in 1968 through the Enlisted Commissioning Program.

Upon completing The Basic School, he was assigned to the Fifth Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as a rifle platoon commander with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines. In July 1969, he was transferred to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam.

In January 1971, he reported to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing where he served as the aide-de-camp to the Assistant Wing Commander. In January 1972, he reported to Pensacola, Florida for flight training.

Captain Hailston received his wings in June 1973 and returned to Cherry Point for training in the F-4. He then reported to VMFA-312, MAG-14 as the squadron S-1. The squadron relocated to MAG-31, Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, in July 1974.

In 1976, Captain Hailston attended the Amphibious Warfare School, followed by an assignment to MAG-15 in Iwakuni, Japan. Returning to MCAS Yuma, Arizona in 1978, he was assigned to VMFAT-101 as the training officer and operations officer until his transfer to Air Command and Staff College in 1981. While at Maxwell Air Force Base he completed his undergraduate degree at Troy State University.

In August 1982, Major Hailston reported to Headquarters, Marine Corps where he served in the Aviation Training Branch and as administrative assistant to the Chief of Staff, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. Upon promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he was reassigned as Assistant Secretary to the General Staff.

In 1985, Lieutenant Colonel Hailston reported to MAG-31 as the group executive officer and later as Commanding Officer, VFMA-312. In 1988, he attended the U.S. Army War College followed by an assignment to Korea as the Combined Forces Command/U.S. Eighth Army Operations Plans Officer and later Executive Assistant to the C/J/G-3.

Colonel Hailston returned from Korea in 1991 and reported to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing where he served as the Wing G-3. He assumed command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 on May 29, 1992. He was promoted to Brigadier General in May of 1994 and was assigned as the Commanding General, 3rd Force Service Support Group, FMF, Pacific, Okinawa, Japan. He was reassigned in July 1996 as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Installations and Logistics (Facilities), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. In March 1997 Major General Hailston assumed the duties of U.S. Pacific Command Director of Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5), where he served until June 1999. Assuming command of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan in June 1999, he was promoted to Lieutenant General in August 1999. He relinquished command of III MEF in July 2001.

General Hailston’s personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM), the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with Combat “V”, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Board Tenure

Supernumerary - 2006

Willie Williams is a retired United States Marine Corps Lieutenant General who commanded and served at every level in support of our nation’s tactical, operational, and strategic objectives.

From 2009 to 2013, Willie served as the Chief of the Marine Corps Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations at the Headquarters; coordinating decision-making associated activities across internal and external staffs of, in addition to the Marine Corps, other Military Departments and Services, the Department of Defense, and Congress. In addition, he was a principal assistant and adviser to the Commandant and the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps as they led and managed the Marine Corps and its 200,000 members, and their military readiness and effectiveness.

From 2005 to 2009, Willie commanded the Marine Corps’ only operational and strategic level logistics organization and supply chain. In that capacity, he was responsible for providing worldwide and integrated logistics, supply chain, and distribution management, to include maintenance management and strategic prepositioning of military capability and capacity to maximize force readiness and sustainability throughout the total life cycle.

Prior to that command assignment, from 2003 to 2005, Willie was the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics (Facilities), Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps. There he was responsible for fund management and policy development and implementation for the sustainment, restoration, and modernization of Marine Corps facilities and real estate; oversight of Marine Corps housing, to include Family, Bachelor, Transient, and General Officer; and several special management programs, including, but not limited to, energy conservation, fire protection, food service, environmental compliance, and the 2005 mandated Base Realignment and Closure of Marine Corps activities.

Willie was commissioned into the officer ranks of the Marine Corps after earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1974. During his nearly 40-year career, he served in a wide range of logistics, supply chain, infrastructure, and leadership positions to include five commands and over thirteen years as a general officer.

His academic degrees include an MBA from National University, San Diego; an MS in Strategic Resources Management, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University; a BA (Cum Laude) in Business Administration/Minor in Accounting from Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL. Willie is also the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, and has completed “Revolution in Business Practices” at the Naval Postgraduate School, “Logistics and Technology for Executives” at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, “Leadership at the Peak” at the Center for Creative Leadership, and the Joint Flag Officer War-fighting Course, Air University, Alabama.

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2013, Willie entered the private business sector as a senior consultant and Owner/President of WWilliams Consulting, LLC, based in the Huntsville, AL metropolitan area, assisting Department of Defense-supporting contractors and industries in strategic business development.

Willie is an active member in his church and a number of nonprofit and fraternal organizations. Working with his Alma Mata, Stillman College, and other concerned business leaders, he endowed a fund to award scholarships to help generations of morally centered and ethically strong leaders, devoted to principles and driven to conduct compassionate service to humanity and to create extensive service opportunities through partnerships within our communities. Willie has been recognized with multiple outstanding leadership awards, as a distinguished alumnus by his Alma Mata, Stillman College; in 2009 as Albany State University’s International Citizen of the Year; in 2015 as a “Shining Star – Distinguished Military Leader” by the South Eastern Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Citizen of the Year for 2015 by Psi Kappa Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; by Oakwood University for “Outstanding Leadership and Contributions to Country;” and as Prometheus’s (of Beverly Hills, CA) 2017 Man of the Year for his charity work to make a difference in our nation.

Lieutenant General Williams and his wife of 48 years, the former Bobbie Woods, live in New Market … a suburb of Huntsville, Alabama.

Connie was named President/CEO of The Uniformed Services Benefit Association by its Board of Directors effective 1 January 2021. She has held a number of senior management positions prior to becoming the chief executive.

Mrs. Markovich joined USBA in 1982, accepting a job as receptionist as USBA had just filled eight open staff positions. She welcomed the opportunity to serve a military association and to start at the ground floor to better understand how the company worked, what each employee did and how she could best serve the organization and its members. Four days later, an opportunity arose in USBA’s new agency department; she began providing a wide range of customer service and administrative support to agents and members of the growing 501(c)(9) association.

In 1984 she was named secretary to the President and continued acquiring additional responsibilities. She was promoted to administrative assistant in 1987, a management position taking her deeper into insurance operations where she was responsible for both group life and annuity contract compliance, served as the primary interface with the insurance carrier at that time, Mutual Benefit Life, and administered various USBA employee benefit plans, including the defined benefit pension trust.

She became vice president of administration & member service in 1994, overseeing new business & existing customer underwriting and issuing, agency operations, customer service, claims and compliance. She took minutes at all membership and Board of Directors meetings.

In 2003 she was named senior vice president, continuing to lead the work of most internal departments, helping define corporate strategic direction and goals, working closely with each President/CEO (5 total) to execute the company’s mission. Prior to being hired as President, Mrs. Markovich served as executive vice president & chief operating officer for ten years.

An important milestone in her career was serving on the senior leadership team during the two-year discovery process, selection and implementation of the complex and complete transition from MBL to New York Life Insurance Company’s Group Membership Association Division from 1991-93, culminating with an April 1, 1993, effective date. She cites the positive professional partnerships formed early on with NYL GMAD’s business management team as critical to USBA’s success in the decades following the move.

Markovich has been directly involved over the years with USBA’s many external partners and alliances, from contract negotiation to customer issue resolution, to relationship management, HR services, billing & audit aspects to staff education on the big picture role our partners play in our success. Mrs. Markovich places a high priority on esprit de corp, viewing it as essential to melding various corporate – and individual / employee – interests into a joint win-win vision.

Connie is married to Mr. Brian Markovich, an Army veteran, and they’re at home in Paola, Kansas. They have four children.

Education & Certifications

Patrick (Pat) A. McVay, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Director, Joint Exercises and Training Directorate, United States Strategic Command J7. He leads a directorate of 120 joint officers, government civilian employees, and defense contractors responsible for the development, coordination and execution of the command's exercise and training programs.

Mr. McVay received his USAF commission in 1977 after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He earned a Master’s degree in Aviation Sciences from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1987 and a Master’s degree From the Navy War College in 1996. He is a Distinguished Graduate from Squadron Officer School and Air Command and Staff College and completed Navy War College in residence. He completed the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellows program in March 2006.

Following graduation from USAFA, Mr. McVay entered undergraduate pilot training at Williams AFB, AZ. He earned his pilot wings in 1979 and was assigned as a T-37 Instructor Pilot, remaining at Williams AFB as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot and classroom Academic Instructor. After his tour at Williams, he completed KC-135 Combat Crew Training School at Castle AFB, CA in 1982 and was assigned to Ellsworth AFB, SD as a KC-135A aircraft commander. During his tour at Ellsworth AFB, he served as a KC- 135A/R Aircraft Commander and Training Flight Instructor Pilot.

In 1986 he was reassigned to Headquarters, Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, NE as KC-135 Training Programs Manager, HQ SAC/DOT. While at HQ SAC, he also served as HQ SAC/DOT Executive Officer and Program Manager for the SAC Flying Hour Program, managing the command’s $2.4 billion annual flying hour program. In 1990, he was selected to attend Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, AL, where he graduated as a Distinguished Graduate in 1991. Following his year at ACSC, he was assigned to the 384th Air Refueling Squadron (AREFS) at McConnell AFB, KS. During his four years at McConnell, he was a Flight Commander, Operations Officer, Squadron Commander, and 22nd Operations Group Deputy Commander.

In 1994, the 384th AREFS, under his command, was selected as the Air Mobility Command Spaatz Trophy winner, recognizing the Outstanding Air Refueling Squadron in AMC. In 1995, he attended the Navy War College, Newport, RI. After graduating from the Navy War College, he was assigned as Commander, 4409th Operations Group and 4409th Air Base Group, Eskan Village, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he led the successful transition from a flying organization to an administrative support role after the KC-135/RC-135/AWACS aircraft were transferred to Prince Sultan Air Base following the Khobar Towers bombing. After his year-long tour in Saudi Arabia, he was assigned to HQ, US Strategic Command as a Senior Controller and Chief, Joint Training and Exercises Division, from 1997 to 1999. His final tour in the Air Force was Vice Commander, 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, from July 1999 to November 2000.

Mr. McVay retired from active duty 1 Feb 01 and worked in the civilian community and as a DoD contractor with Camber Corporation before joining the government civilian work force as Deputy Director and Senior Technical Advisor, USSTRATCOM Joint Exercises and Training Directorate, in June 2003. He was also assigned as the Executive Assistant to the Commander, USSTRATCOM, from Aug 06 to Oct 07. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in March 2009 when he assumed his current position.

Mr. McVay was a command pilot with over 3300 flight hours. He flew the T-37, T-38, C-12 and KC-135A/R/T/RT.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Vince Patton served as the Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard from May 1998 until his retirement from more than 30 years of active service in November 2002. As the service’s top senior-ranking enlisted leader and ombudsman during that period, Master Chief Patton was the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, his directorates, and the Secretaries of Transportation and Defense, with primary focus on quality-of-life, career development, work environment and personnel matters affecting over 45,000 active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel service wide. He routinely addressed those specific issues before appropriate Senate and House committees in Congress, and the Commander in Chief, along with his senior-ranking enlisted counterparts of the other armed services.

Master Chief Patton’s illustrious military career included staff and operational assignments throughout the country, both afloat and ashore throughout the United States along with a joint military service assignment in Cuba and Haiti. Among his numerous military awards includes the Distinguished Service Medal which is the nation’s highest military peace time recognition for performance of duty.

Master Chief Patton received his Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) from the American University, Washington, DC where his dissertation was on the development and implementation of the Coast Guard Enlisted Evaluation System. In addition, he earned a Master of Arts degree Counseling Psychology from Loyola University, Chicago, IL; a Master of Theology degree from Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Pacific College, Angwin, CA. His military education includes the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (with distinction), and the Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.

He accomplished the rank of Eagle Scout and was also a former Naval Sea Cadet during his high school years. He was selected as an Olympic Torchbearer for the 2002 Winter Olympics. In 2019, he was inducted in the Michigan Military Veterans Hall of Honor. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Southern New Hampshire University in 2019. In November 2021 he was awarded the Rear Admiral J. Robert Lunney Patriot Award by the Navy League of the United States. He has also been named as one of the top 250 distinguished veterans by the Department of Veteran Affairs and was the Grand Marshal for the 2022 New York City and 2023 Detroit Veterans Day parades. He was also honored by the Detroit Lions as the ‘Hometown Hero’ for 2023. A scholarship is named in his honor for JROTC cadets at Cass Technical High School, Detroit, MI.

Currently, he is an adjunct faculty member at Northeast Maritime Institute College of Maritime Science, Fairhaven, MA, teaching Leadership and Ethics. He is also an ordained minister and is actively involved with several other public service and nonprofit organizations serving on boards with the National Coast Guard Museum, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Veterans Justice Commission, and the Uniformed Services Benefit Association.