The Honorable Dr. John Hillen

By Lindsay GrantSeptember 3, 2020

2020 Hall of Fame Inductee

Duke University (1988)

(Photo Credit: Jeff Herbert (302) 229-7108) VIEW ORIGINAL

Retired Captain John Hillen began his career in public service as an Army ROTC Cadet and Distinguished Military Graduate at Duke University, where he graduated with a degree in public policy studies and history in 1988. During his four years active duty Army, eight years in the Army Reserve and nine years as a civilian for the U.S. Navy, Hillen earned several meritorious awards, including the Bronze Star for his actions in Operation Desert Storm in the Battle of 73 Easting, and continued academic pursuits, earning a Doctorate in International Relations in 1997 at Oxford University.

From 2005 to 2007, Hillen served as Assistant Secretary of State for political-Military Affairs and pioneered Gulf Security dialogue for the Bush administration. From 2008 to 2013, Dr. Hillen was the President and Chief Executive Officer and board member of Sotera Defense Solutions and was named one of the 100 most influential business leaders in Washington DC, leading different firms in the intelligence, defense, and energy sectors. From 2013 to 2018, Dr. Hillen served  as the Executive-in-Residence and Professor of Practice at George Mason University’s Business School, twice winning the outstanding professor award in the MBA program.

As a highly respected public servant, business and civic leader, author and public intellectual, Dr. Hillen’s contributions to the nation are exemplary. As the inaugural member of the Duke University Army ROTC Hall of Fame in 2015, Dr. Hillen’s leadership has been instrumental in improving the quality of training and developing creative incentives that will ensure the sustained success of the Bull City Battalion.

About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame

The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.

The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.

Read more about all 16 of the 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees.