FORT BENNING, Ga., (Jan. 27 2016) -- The National Infantry Museum Foundation Board of Directors elected retired Col. Greg Camp to serve as president and chief operating officer of the Foundation at its annual meeting Jan. 20.
The move follows the retirement of Ben F. Williams Jr., one of the original architects of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
Williams first got involved in the museum project in 1999. Fort Benning was beginning to talk about the need for a new museum to house an impressive collection of artifacts, and community leaders were looking for an attraction that the city would become known for.
They asked Williams, who had recently retired as executive vice president at CB&T, to lead the effort.
Williams and others engaged a Toronto-based, museum-planning firm to develop a master plan. They worked with city leaders to select a site, and with Fort Benning to forge a partnership.
With the encouragement of a major lead donor to "think big" and a large donation to support it, Williams moved the operation out of the trunk of his car and hired a staff to give the project full-time attention.
Fundraising began, and the design team - made up of project managers, architects and exhibit designers - was hired. Despite the recession, the organization successfully raised enough to begin construction on the $100 million facility. Its grand opening was held in June 2009.
"I never dreamed we could actually accomplish what we did," Williams said. "We didn't set out to create a world-class museum, but that's exactly what it's become."
More than 2,000,000 people have visited the museum. Of nearly 1,200 reviews on TripAdvisor.com, 92 percent report a 5-star experience. It is Columbus' number one attraction, and rates higher than most attractions statewide.
Williams said he'll miss the family of museum and foundation employees who have dedicated their careers to the museum. And he'll miss walking around the museum watching the faces of visitors as they realize just how important the Infantry's story is.
But, he said, "It's time to pass the baton," and to spend more time with wife Rose Marie, their children and grandchildren.
Williams says the Foundation will be in good hands with Camp at the helm, and with the continued support of chairman retired Lt. Gen. Carmen Cavezza and newly elected Vice Chairman retired Lt. Gen. Tom Metz. Williams first worked with Camp at CB&T and tapped him to join the team as executive vice president and chief development officer in 2002.
Since then, Camp has led efforts to raise more $100 million, for both the initial construction of the museum and a handful of phase II capital improvements. Camp retired from the Army in 1996, and his last assignment was chief of staff of the United States Infantry Center and Fort Benning.
Williams' retirement is effective Jan. 31.
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