West Point, NY: The West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Colonel (Retired) Mark D. Bieger, USMA Class of 1991, has been selected to serve as The Honorable & Mrs. Robert A. McDonald ’75 President & CEO of WPAOG starting August 1, 2023.

Bieger graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and commissioned as an Infantry officer. For more than 28 years in the U.S. Army, he held leadership positions at the platoon, company, battalion, and brigade levels, deploying twice to Iraq and receiving the Silver Star for valorous actions with the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division during combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. Bieger also served in staff positions, including on the Army Staff at the Pentagon, with the U.S. Central Command in MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and with the U.S. Army’s Pacific Command at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Prior to his retirement from the Army in December 2019, he served as USMA chief of staff.

Transitioning to a civilian career, Bieger served as chief of staff to the president of the University of South Carolina, where his responsibilities included coordinating and synchronizing the strategic efforts of the university and the numerous activities in the accomplishment of the academic, research and athletic mission and pursuit of the university vision. He was then appointed to the role of vice president of strategy at Louisiana State University (LSU). Working with senior leadership across LSU, Bieger improved the organizational alignment of the various LSU campuses throughout the state.

In addition to his B.S. from USMA, Bieger holds master’s degrees in human resource management from Webster University, advanced military studies from the School of Advanced Military Studies, and national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

“Mark’s senior leadership roles in civilian higher education, coupled with decades of leadership assignments in a broad mix of Army and DOD organizations, brings to the West Point Association of Graduates the perfect blend of insights and strategic planning experience to lead our Association,” said the Honorable Robert A. McDonald, USMA Class of 1975, WPAOG Chairman.

“Mark is a tested leader committed to WPAOG’s Mission of serving West Point and the Long Gray Line,” said Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland, USMA Class of 1990, the 61st USMA Superintendent. “I look forward to working with him in support of our Academy.”

“My wife, Amy, and I are thrilled to be joining the West Point Association of Graduates in this capacity and returning to the place we consider home,” said Bieger. “The United States Military Academy and West Point have played a central role in our lives, and we are extremely grateful to join an exceptional team and contribute to the Academy and the Long Gray Line.”