Two Distinguished Veterans Join MBF Board of Directors
The Military Bowl Foundation has enhanced its Board of Directors with the addition of a pair of distinguished U.S. Marine Corps veterans, LtGen (ret.) Brian Cavanaugh and James Ferguson.
“We feel fortunate to have Brian and James joining our team,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “They were leaders during their military careers and have thrived in business as well. Both Brian and James know the importance of supporting the men and women who selflessly serve our great country and we look forward to their contributions to the Military Bowl Foundation.”
LtGen Cavanaugh served in senior leadership roles for more than 34 years across all areas of the globe and now is an Artificial Intelligence/Edge Computing tech executive and senior national security advisor. He has extensive experience in leading an emerging growth tech and manufacturing company, advising on global national security, safety, homeland security and veterans/tech education matters.
Cavanaugh presently is the chief executive officer of VigilanteX, a first-to-market startup that brings cyber into the physical world (CyPhy) with integration of Robotics/Artificial Intelligence/Edge Computing/Intelligence/Data through a U.S.-manufactured specialty trailer.
His military career included four Pentagon tours, aviation command at every level and concluded in 2024 when he retired as the Commanding General of Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic leading a force of one-third of all Marine operating forces.
Cavanaugh is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, with an MBA from Webster University and a master’s degree in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
“It has been an honor to serve our nation in uniform for over three decades and I am excited to join the Military Bowl Foundation to continue my service as I help continue raising awareness for our service members,” Cavanaugh said. “I can think of no better way to benefit those who give so much of themselves for our country than to join an organization that does so much to honor and recognize our service members and their families.”
Ferguson is Chief Operating Officer for U.S. Private Client, Endowments & Foundations at Brown Advisory, a private, independent registered investment advisor, based in Baltimore. He leads daily execution across 14 U.S. offices and more than 500 colleagues, managing more than $115 billion in client assets.
Ferguson began his professional career as a U.S. Marine Corps Officer, with experience serving in leadership positions at the company, battalion and regimental levels. In 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan where his platoon of more than 50 Marines fought to establish coalition control in the heavily contested Kajaki district of Helmand Province.
After leaving active duty, Ferguson served as a management consultant and in various leadership roles in the healthcare industry, along with experience leading small business acquisitions for a New York-based family office.
Ferguson has been a leading voice in the veteran health space for more than a decade. In 2017, he founded the Warrior Reunion Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that provides reunions to reconnect units deployed to combat together. Having pioneered the concept of “small unit reunions” built upon program pillars of service, wellness and camaraderie, WRF provided more than 80 reunions reconnecting more than 5,000 veteran service members and Gold Star family members. In 2018, WRF was honored as the “Top Veteran Charity” by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Ferguson holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.
“The Military Bowl Foundation has a rich history of celebrating our military and veteran community, shining a bright light on their exceptional character and service to our country,” Ferguson said. “I am honored to join the organization and contribute to this important work, finding new opportunities to leverage our great platform to mobilize support for the few who serve on behalf of so many.”