JBM-HH Hosts Inaugural Legacy Leaders Forum

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. –Decades of institutional memory, shared camaraderie, and dedicated service converged on Sept. 30 as Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall hosted its inaugural Legacy Leaders’ Forum. The day brought together former garrison commanders, command sergeants major, Marine joint base deputies, chiefs of staff, executive officers, and command spouses to reconnect with the installation, chat with current staff, and trade insights on the unique realities of leading one of the nation’s most historic military communities.

The gathering kicked off over a lunch at America’s Kitchen, where the atmosphere felt more like a long-awaited family reunion than a leadership seminar. Several current garrison directors and chiefs dropped in to greet their former commanders and mentors, sharing laughs and catching up on both personal news and how operations have evolved since they last shared an office.

The roll call of returning leaders represented several generations of base leadership. Among those attending in person were Maj. Gen. (R) Kimberly Peeples, who served as garrison commander from 2018 to 2021; Command Sgt. Maj. (R) Carolyn Donaldson, garrison command sergeant major from 2016 to 2017; former Garrison Chief of Staff Carrie Mead; and former Executive Officer Tom Silvak. The Marine Corps side of the joint base partnership was represented by retired Marine LtCols Mark A. Paolicelli, Eric Kelly, and James Washburn, all of whom previously served as joint base deputies, with Washburn holding the distinct honor of serving as the installation’s very first joint base deputy.

Longtime garrison spouse leadership was also represented by Ms. Nancy Cook, whose husband Col. (R) Michael Cook commanded from 1991 to 1992, and Mrs. Helen Deibler, whose husband Col. (R) Scott Deibler led the garrison from 1992 to 1995. Even those unable to travel made sure to take part, with former garrison commander Col. (R) Thomas Allmon, who commanded from 2004-2007 and Marine LtCol John Dexter joining the group virtually.

Following lunch, the legacy leaders climbed aboard for a windshield tour across the installation to see what has changed and what has remained constant over the years. Along the way, the group made a brief stop at the Interim Stables for a quick walkthrough before heading over to Spates Hall to start the afternoon discussion.

Inside Spates Hall, current Garrison Commander Col. Keith Sandoval, Command Sgt. Maj. Kenyon Simmons, and Garrison Chief of Staff Tekeyiah Richardson led an honest, transparent conversation about the ongoing issues facing the joint base today. Many of the operational issues discussed were all too familiar to the legacy leaders in the room. The team laid out persistent hurdles including aging underground utilities across the installation, the rising cost to upkeep historic housing, and regional hiring and retention challenges across the competitive National Capital Region.

The team also shared some good news, including the $6.1M set aside for the exterior renovations to Old Post Chapel, the upcoming groundbreaking of the 200-bed barracks project starting in early FY27, and the recent announcement of the JBM-HH Army Community Service Team being named the 2026 Medium-Sized Garrison ACS of the Year.

Sandoval emphasized that yesterday’s gathering was just the beginning of a broader effort to tap into the wealth of experience sitting across the room and online.

"This forum is about recognizing that we stand on the shoulders of dedicated leaders who wrestled with many of these very same realities," Sandoval said. "Our hope is that this becomes a yearly event, and more importantly, the first step in putting together a permanent Legacy Leaders Council to provide our command team with seasoned insight, mentorship, and advice as we make decisions for the joint base."

For those who previously sat in the commander's chair, returning to the installation brought both nostalgia and an appreciation for the enduring mission of JBM-HH.

"Today was a powerful day,” Peeples said. “I’m grateful to the Joint Base team for inviting former leaders back to America’s Post to see the progress, share experiences, and reflect on the history and significance of this remarkable place. Most of all, I’m grateful for the Soldiers, Marines, civilians, families, leaders, and teammates who continue to serve this important Garrison mission with loyalty and selflessness. Itwas a true honor to be part of it.”

Simmons echoed the value of maintaining close bonds between today's garrison staff and those who paved the way.

"The institutional memory in this room represents decades of real-world problem-solving and caring for service members and their families," he added. "Spending time with the leaders who walked this ground before us helps put today's challenges in perspective. Their advice reinforces our commitment to our workforce and reminds us why this joint base community is so special."

As the afternoon wrapped up, participants lingered in the Freedom Lounge to share final stories, expressing broad enthusiasm for formalizing the advisory council and returning next year to keep the conversation going.

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