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COLONEL DAVID W. SUTHERLAND,
U.S. ARMY (RET.), CHAIR

COLONEL DAVID W. SUTHERLAND,
U.S. ARMY (RET.), CHAIR

Retired Army Colonel David W. Sutherland is the Chair of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, where he brings innovative approaches to leverage community-based support to deliver profound results for veterans.

Colonel Sutherland culminated his 29 years of service as the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with principle focus on Warrior and Family Support. In that position, he created a support network providing grassroots solutions for veterans and military families. Prior to that, he served as Combat Brigade Command during Surge Operations in Iraq in 2007-2008.

Colonel Sutherland has been decorated numerous times during his career and proudly wears the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge Second Award, and Senior Parachutist Badge. He is also the 2008 Freedom Award recipient presented by the No Greater Sacrifice Foundation; the 2011 Meritorious Service Award recipient presented by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans; the 2013 Commitment to Service Award presented by Give an Hour for his work on behalf of returning service members, veterans, military families and families of the fallen; and the 2019 Vigiano Family Hope & Courage Award presented by Hope for the Warriors. Colonel Sutherland also holds the title of Honorary Colonel of the 12th Infantry Regiment.

Colonel Sutherland actively contributes to numerous national veteran and military family committees and boards. In addition to his leadership of Dixon Center, he is a trusted advisor to many former senior military leaders including former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Combatant Commanders, and current and former public and private sector leaders and executives.

He speaks in communities at universities, businesses and conferences around the country as a vocal advocate and leader for transformational change for our service members, military veterans, their families, and the families of our fallen.

Colonel Sutherland received his bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and his Master’s in Strategic Studies from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

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Kaname “Kenny” Kuniyuki, Robert J. McCann Program Impact Assessment Fellow

Kaname “Kenny” Kuniyuki, Robert J. McCann Program Impact Assessment Fellow

Colonel (Ret.) Kenny Kuniyuki is a doctoral student with the University of Dayton, and the Robert J. McCann Program Impact Assessment Fellow for the Dixon Center.  He is interested in studying and understanding the contemporary and future needs of veterans and military service members.

Colonel (Ret.) Kuniyuki is an innovative and driven leader with over 24 years of service, including three combat tours to Iraq.  While on active duty, he served as an armor officer, military intelligence officer, and strategic planner.  He has served at the highest level of the military in the Joint Staff, Pentagon, and has worked with the United States’ allies and partners in Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.

Colonel (Ret.) graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Mandarin Chinese.  He earned a Master of Arts in International Relations from Webster University, and a Master of Military Art and Science from the U.S. Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies.  Colonel (Ret.) Kuniyuki also served as the U.S. Army War College’s Visiting Fellow to the Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.