Wally is a fourth generation Army veteran and the first in his family to attend college.
Global Impact: United States, Afghanistan, France, Germany, Iraq, Kosovo, Macedonia, Kuwait, Republic of Korea
History:
Raised in Salida, Colorado, Wally currently serves as a Headquarters, Department of the Army senior mentor. In this capacity he coaches, teaches and mentors Army senior leaders in the art and science of the execution of mission command. He completed over 33 years of service in the U.S. military. He has over 17 years of executive‐level leadership experience, developing and training high-performing, complex and diverse teams capable of strategic and operational planning and execution. He is exceptional at leading change, building successful teams in demanding environments and creating innovative solutions, systems and programs to solve complex problems. Wally is an experienced leader and aviator, a highly effective communicator, and a strategic planner with exceptional organizational skills.
Major General Golden's military career was highlighted by a peacekeeping assignment in Kosovo and combat assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2002, he served as the chief of staff of Multi-National Brigade East in Kosovo, charged with conducting peacekeeping operations as part of KFOR, a United Nations international task force. In 2004, he led the deployment of nearly 100 helicopters and over 1500 soldiers to Iraq, providing attack, assault and general aviation support in north central Iraq. In 2011 he led NATO Training Mission Afghanistan's development of the Afghan National Police and Ministry of the Interior, responsible for over 2000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and police officers from 37 nations.
Other executive assignments included Deputy Commanding General of the Aviation Center at Fort Rucker, AL responsible for the training of the US Army's helicopter and airplane pilots. He was also a Deputy Commander in the only forward deployed division in the United States Army in the Republic of Korea. Wally later returned as the Deputy Commander of 8th United States Army, responsible for the training, discipline, health and welfare of all US Army forces and their families in the Republic of Korea. In between these assignments, he served as the Director of Personnel and Human Resources for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon.
Wally and his spouse Jo Ann live in Colorado Springs, CO. They have four children and two grandchildren. Two of their sons and their spouses are active duty Air Force officers. Their son in law is a Navy officer.
Honors and Achievements:
Recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Afghanistan, Poland, France and Republic of Korea commendations.
Higher Education:
M.A., Business, Webster University, St. Louis, MO; US Army Senior Service College Fellowship, Leadership and Management, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, MA