Dear Valued Friends of the GBF Community, 

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Green Beret Foundation’s Board of Directors has voted unanimously to appoint Charles “Charlie” Iacono as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Green Beret Foundation, effective 17 April 2023. 

Green Berets understand that having the right person in a leadership role is crucial to mission success. Charles has a phenomenal track record of service to the military community; he comes to the Green Beret Foundation from a senior position at the USO as their Senior Development and Board Relations Officer. With over two decades of experience leading community impact organizations, the Board is confident that Charles is the right leader we need to grow the Foundation’s ability to support Green Berets and their families – past, present and future. 

Charles is a seasoned, passionate, and effective philanthropy business executive with a superior track record in developing and implementing a broad base of fundraising and organizational engagement strategies for mission-based organizations. Prior to his tenure at the USO, Charles served as Vice President of Industry Relations and Commercial Partnerships at T1D Exchange, where his contributions to the cause were exceptional. Charles’s extensive experience in organizational leadership, commercial partnerships, fundraising, marketing, and community-government relations will serve the GBF well as we grow and continue to improve the organization. 

While we keep our eye on the volatile hot spots around the globe, we can never know what new challenges our community will face; regardless, history demonstrates that Green Berets will be the tip of the spear and serve in the most complex and challenging environments while their families continue to serve at home. As the GBF strategically plans to care for the needs of current and future Green Berets whose lives will be touched by these conflicts, we continue to honor our commitment to the care and support of all who have ever worn the beret and the families that stand unshakably by their side. Given the ambitious scope of this mission, it is fitting that we choose a leader with deep expertise and historic success in the leadership of charitable organizations. The Board and I feel strongly that Charles Iacono is this person. 

The Green Beret Foundation board and staff appreciate your faithful support as we move with momentum and enthusiasm into this exciting next chapter in the Foundation’s history. 

De Oppresso Liber,

Lieutenant General Ken Tovo, U.S. Army, Retired
Chairman of the Board Green Beret Foundation