GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT APPOINTS SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND MILITARY
“Gen. Ben Robinson bravely served our country in the United States Air Force, and continues to contribute to Oklahoma’s veterans and military community every day,” said Stitt. “He is a patriot and an extremely qualified expert who will be a champion for our men and women in uniform and the veterans across our state.”
General Ben T. Robinson is the Owner/President of Sentry One LLC, an aerospace industry consulting company specializing in a wide spectrum of expertise from military command and control operations to the growth and sustainment of American aerospace through investments in workforce development, business development and leadership. Prior to his current positions, Gen. Robinson served as the Executive Director of the Boeing Aerospace Operations, Oklahoma City Boeing Site. Robinson was responsible for supporting the programs and functions assigned to the Oklahoma City site, a role that covered over 2,100 employees in 70 locations worldwide.
Gen. Robinson retired from active duty with the U.S. Air Force as a Brigadier General in 2002. His nearly 34 years of active duty service includes combat operations in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. He commanded two flying wings, a flying group and a space center. He was a Director on the Air Staff in Washington DC and the Vice Commander of 8th Air Force. He held a command pilot rating with nearly 5,000 flying hours and over 150 combat missions.
In 2010, Gen. Robinson was presented with the first Lifetime Achievement Award by the Oklahoma Aerospace Alliance for his contributions to the sustainment and growth of the Oklahoma Aerospace Industry. In 2012, Gen. Robinson was presented with the General Thomas P. Stafford Award for exceptional support and contributions to the Oklahoma Aerospace Industry.
Gen. Robinson earned his bachelor's degree in Industrial Management from Eastern New Mexico University and a master's degree in Industrial Management from Central Michigan University. In addition, he completed a one year course of study with MIT as an International Relations Fellow. Gen. Robinson and his wife Linda reside in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They have four children and ten grandchildren.
“The courageous men and women who served in our nation’s Armed Forces deserve a champion at the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, and I can think of few better to serve in that role than General Ben Robinson. As a combat veteran, he understands uniquely what veterans face when they return home from service. And as a leader at Tinker Air Force Base, he’s proven to be a judicious steward with the lives, resources, and mission entrusted to him. Governor Stitt has made a great pick with General Robinson, and I wholeheartedly endorse and support his appointment as Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Military.” – Senator Paul Rosino, USN, Ret. Oklahoma Senate Veterans Caucus Chairman
“Ben Robinson’s vision and leadership built the foundation upon which the nearly 3,500 Boeing employees in Oklahoma thrive today. I have every confidence Ben’s passion for Veterans and their families will propel Oklahoma into a top ten state for Veteran’s services. My colleagues and I at Boeing could not be more optimistic about the future of our Veterans services under Ben’s leadership.” – Steve Hendrickson, Director, Government Relations, Boeing Corporate Offices
“General Robinson is a great, experienced military leader who will bring tremendous capability to represent and serve our veterans and military community within Oklahoma. He has great ideas and energy, and he exhibits his love for our veterans and military community every day. He will be a champion for the Department of Veterans Affairs and a strong addition to help accomplish the governor’s vision moving forward. I think the governor has picked a winner.” –Major General Myles Deering, US Army, Retired
“General Ben Robinson is one of the most outstanding leaders that we’ve had in the United States Air Force. He commanded a very large and important organization at Tinker Air Force Base, the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). He put lots of spirit into the organization, he developed tactics, and he responded quickly when we had national and international emergency. General Robinson is an outstanding leader and organizer, and I am very proud that he is being appointed as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Military for the State of Oklahoma.” – Major General William “Billy” Bowden, USAF, Retired
from MuskogeePolitico.com
