VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, February 01, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present John Jack William Hilgers, Colonel U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), PhD, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished participant, Jack celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his various endeavors. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
A Carmel California native, Jack graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 1956. He was later accepted to the University of California Berkeley, where he achieved a Bachelor of Arts in criminology in 1963 and the University of Southern California with a Master of Science in systems management in 1984. Later, Jack studied at Old Dominion University in Virginia, where he completed both a Master of Science in urban studies in 1995 and a Doctor of Philosophy in public administration management and research in 1998.
A devoted leader in public service for six decades, Jack served the first 31 years of his career in the U.S. Marine Corps and served twice in Vietnam. In 1966, Jack, then a Captain, was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism and two Bronze Stars for valor. He has received many other military citations and letters of appreciation for leadership, meritorious service, and "taking care of the troops". He was designated one of the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1969. During his 14 years in support of NATO, he was commended for his outstanding service by three allied Chiefs of Defense, three Commanders of Allied Forces Northern Europe, and on his retirement from the military in 1988 by the Commandants of the British Royal Marines, Netherlands Royal Marines, and the U.S. Marine Corps.
Jack retired from the military in 1988 and began a civil career at Old Dominion University (ODU) as a program manager in the College of Business and Public Administration and associate director of the International Maritime Ports and Logistics Institute. At ODU from 1990 to 1998, he was instrumental in establishing the International Maritime, Ports and Logistics Institute and devoted four years as the editor of its Business & Economic Quarterly magazine which was renowned for its timeless material. He later was appointed by the Governor of Virginia as a member of the board of trustees for ODU from 1998 to 2002 and was a member of the ODU Research Foundation Board from 2001 to 2011. He received the Virginia Commerce Builder Award in 1997 from the Foreign Commerce Club of Hampton Roads for his leadership and commitment to maritime logistics and trade, the Virginia Patrick Henry Award from the Governor of Virginia in 2001for unwavering dedication to justice and good government, and was recognized by the Propeller Club of the U.S. in 2005 for outstanding maritime professionalism.
Some of Jack's other civic involvements included the Virginia Beach Sister City Group, serving as a trustee for the Norfolk Sister City Association, as a division director for the United Way of Norfolk, Virginia. He was a founder of the Association of Former Supreme Allied Command Atlantic Officers (AFSO) and currently is its secretary.
After 10 years in academia, Jack realized that he wanted to be more involved in public service. He started advocating on behalf of veterans and joined the Virginia General Assembly in 1999 as a legislative assistant in the House of Delegates. He spent eight years in his position and was recognized in 2007 by the Speaker of the House as a key player in the legislative process. During his tenure in the General Assembly, Jack was involved in the 2002 study and 2003 legislation that led to the creation of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation (VSF), as well as the Board of Veterans Services and the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations. In 2006, Jack was asked to assist DVS with program development and in 2007 he was assigned as director of development and concurrently with VSF as executive director.
Among Jack's noteworthy achievements at DVS, he was involved in passing over 60 pieces of legislation related to veterans, military personnel and their families from 2006 to 2017 and successfully helped to raise over $3 million via fundraising efforts for the VSF to assist veterans and their families. He was recognized as an Extraordinary Contributor to DVS and VSF four years in a row for providing stellar results and was commended by the Virginia General Assembly in 2017 for his lifetime of service to Virginia and its veterans. On retirement in 2017, he was appointed VSF Executive Director Emeritus by the governing board and he remains a dedicated VSF and DVS supporter.
Aligned with many national and international key professional organizations throughout his later career, he served on several boards of directors. Jack was the president of the Hampton Roads Foreign Commerce Club, president and board member of the Rotary Club of Hampton Roads and still is active in both clubs. He is a director of the F-14 Tomcat Monument Association, and a director of the ODU Maritime and Supply Chain Advisory Council.
Throughout his life, Jack has been interested in antique and classic sports cars and was one of the founders of the Pebble Beach Sports Car Club and a charter member of the Mercedes Benz Club; both in 1952. His lifelong love of singing and live theater has endured and he is a member of two German singing groups.
Jack has attributed his accomplishments to perseverance, adaptation to change, continual pursuit of academic and practitioner education, an optimistic outlook, integrity and most importantly service to others above self. A celebrated Marquis participant, Jack has been showcased in approximately 35 editions of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, and Who's Who in the World.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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