Robert M. Walker Explained

Robert M. Walker
Office:Acting United States Secretary of the Army
President:Bill Clinton
Term Start:December 2, 1997
Term End:July 1, 1998
Predecessor:Joe R. Reeder
Successor:Louis Caldera
Office2:United States Under Secretary of the Army
President2:Bill Clinton
Term Start2:November 13, 1997
Term End2:October 15, 1998
Predecessor2:Joe R. Reeder
Successor2:Bernard D. Rostker
Birth Name:Robert Michael Walker
Birth Date:14 September 1948
Birth Place:Martin, Tennessee, U.S.
Alma Mater:University of Tennessee
Nationality:American
Branch:
(Army National Guard)
Serviceyears:1969–1975
Unit:Tennessee Army National Guard

Robert Michael "Mike" Walker (born September 14, 1948)[1] is the former United States Under Secretary of the Army (1997–1998).

Biography

Walker was born in Martin, Tennessee, in 1948. He attended Martin High School until 1965 and graduated from DeKalb County High School in Smithville, Tennessee in May 1966. Walker then attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville until January 1969, but did not earn a degree. He also studied at the University of Maryland, College Park in 1969.[2] [3] [4] From 1969-76, Walker worked as a staff assistant to Rep. Joe L. Evins (DTenn. 4).

Walker joined the staff of Senator Jim Sasser (DTenn.) in 1977. He also served as an enlisted soldier in the Tennessee Army National Guard and District of Columbia Army National Guard in the 1970s.

From 1978–93, Walker served as a professional staff member of the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations and staff director of the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction.

In 1993, President of the United States Bill Clinton named Walker Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment and Walker held this office 1993-97.

In 1997, President Clinton nominated Walker as United States Under Secretary of the Army, and he subsequently held this office from November 13, 1997 through October 15, 1998. He was Acting United States Secretary of the Army from December 2, 1997 through July 2, 1998.

In 1998–1999, he was Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

He then served as Acting Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs, United States Department of Veterans Affairs from December 1999 until September 2000, at which point he was appointed as the first Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs, taking up his duties on September 2000.

In February 2001, Walker joined Plexus Scientific Corporation, serving as a senior vice president and later as chairman.[5] [6] [7]

Walker has lectured at the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Homeland Defense and Security.[7] [8]

Walker married Romy Pettersen.[2] [3] [4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Department of Defense appropriations for 1995 : Hearings before a subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Third Congress, second session. 1994.
  2. News: Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Second Session, 103d Congress: Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate . 103 . 873 . 302–304 . 1994 . U.S. Government Printing Office . Washington, D.C. . 978-0-16-046386-0.
  3. News: Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, First Session, 105th Congress: Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate . 105 . 371 . 682–685 . 1998 . U.S. Government Printing Office . Washington, D.C. . 978-0-16-056255-6.
  4. News: Nominations of Robert M. (Mike) Walker and Kenneth Prewitt: Hearing Before the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifth Congress, Second Session . 105 . 720 . 35–39 . 1998 . U.S. Government Printing Office . Washington, D.C. . 978-0-16-057793-2 . March 7, 2022.
  5. Comark Building Systems Names Robert Walker to Board of Directors and Michael Duffy as Vice President of Federal Government Services . April 24, 2006 . Carlyle Investment Management L.L.C. . 2022-03-07.
  6. News: Plexus names new president, chairman of the board . Stephanie . Kanowitz . January 29, 2007 . FCW . 2022-03-07.
  7. Web site: Robert M. (Mike) Walker . February 15, 2011 . U.S. Department of Homeland Security . 2022-03-07.
  8. Web site: CHDS Faculty/Experts . September 2, 2011 . 43 . Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security . 2022-03-07.