Albany, Ga. – Albany Technical College will hold its seventh annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Friday, November 1, 2015, beginning at 10am in the Kirkland Conference Center. Keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony will be Col Daniel J. Gillan USMC (Ret) who now serves as President and CEO Albany Area YMCA.
Col Gillan served over 32 years as a United States Marine. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1976, and was promoted from Staff Sergeant to 2nd Lieutenant in 1984. A decorated combat veteran, he retired as a Colonel in 2009 as Commander, Maintenance Center Albany, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany. There he led a workforce of over 2100 Marines and Civilian Marines providing maintenance, repair and overhaul of Marine Corps ground combat equipment in support of Marine Corps operations and training worldwide.
Following his career as an active duty US Marine, Col Gillan served as Senior Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton providing strategy and technology analytical support to Marine Corps Logistics Command, Albany, GA, and the three active Marine Expeditionary Forces in Camp Pendleton, CA; Camp Lejeune, NC, and Okinawa, Japan.
As a retired Marine, Col Gillan continues his life of service as the President/Chief Executive Officer of the Albany Area YMCA in Albany, GA. He has been serving in that role since October 7, 2013. He is a certified YMCA Organizational Leader.
Col Gillan is a graduate of Purdue University; the Naval Postgraduate School, Marine Corps University; University of North Carolina Depot and Arsenal Leadership Program; and a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from East Carolina University.
Col Gillan is the recipient of the Legion of Merit; Joint Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (1 Gold Star); Navy Commendation Medal (1 Gold Star), Navy Achievement Medal (1 Gold Star); Combat Action Ribbon, and other service awards.
Col Gillan is an active parishioner of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church. He enjoys music and plays the bagpipes. He is a fitness enthusiast who is certified as a Personal Trainer and teaches “boot camp” style fitness classes at the Y. He spends his free time with his family and actively participates in various community organizations and activities including Chairman Military Affairs Division of the Albany Chamber of Commerce; Executive Committee Georgia Alliance of YMCAs; Boy Scouts of America, Marine Corps League, Knights of Columbus, and various church ministries. Col Gillan is married and resides in Albany, GA. He is originally from Chicago, IL and the eldest of eight.
The Veteran’s Day ceremony will begin with a welcome from Albany Tech’s President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, followed by an invocation by Troycia Webb - Dean Academic Technology.
After the invocation, Color Guard will be conducted by Westover High School Marine Corps JROTC, National Anthem & Pledge of Allegiance by Keisha George, Academic Coordinator for the Engineering Prep Academy, and the keynote speaker will give his presentation. Following closing remarks by Dr. Parker, a video tribute will conclude the ceremony.
Albany Tech began the tradition in 2013 of holding both a Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremony to commemorate our veterans and allow our students, faculty, staff, and the community to recognize and honor those who fought for our country.
About Albany Technical College
A public postsecondary institution of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), Albany Technical College provides technical education and training support for the evolving workforce needs of Southwest Georgia through traditional and online classroom settings. Albany Tech is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS/COC). For more information about Albany Tech, go to www.albanytech.edu or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AlbanyTech and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlbanyTech. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel by visiting www.youtube.com/albanytech1 or follow us on Google+, Instagram, and Pinterest.