“What a privilege to be chosen as the first military fellow at the IOP. Harvard students have a storied history of service to the nation, including military service in each of our nation's wars. Though, like most Americans, few will serve in uniform, a better understanding and appreciation of the role of our military helps them be better informed citizens. I am eager to learn from and grow with the students, as well as participate in the intellectual life of the Harvard community.”

General James “Tom” Hill, retired from the US Army after 36 years of active service, is a highly decorated combat infantryman, soldier/diplomat, and widely respected leader. He participated in combat operations in Viet Nam, Desert Shield/Desert Storm and peacekeeping duties in Haiti. As a general officer he served as the Deputy Commander, 25th Infantry Division’s peacekeeping force in Haiti, the Deputy UN Commander peacekeeping force in Haiti, and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, US Army Forces Command. Additionally, he was Commanding General 25th Infantry Division and US Army, Hawaii, as well as Commanding General US I Corps and Fort Lewis, Washington. His last assignment was Combatant Commander, United States Southern Command, commanding all US forces in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Upon retirement General Hill continued his service to the nation when he was appointed by the President to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, serving until April 2006.

General Hill, the principal in The JT Hill Group Inc., currently sits on the boards of: iBio Inc., a publicly traded biotech company; Professional Contract Services Inc., a not-for-profit company specializing in the employment of persons with significant disabilities; and Wave Guide, a privately held technology-platform company. He serves as an advisor to: Root9b, a publicly traded cyber security firm; and ContraFect, a publicly traded biotech company. His consultant clients include, or have included, Smith and Wesson, Northrop Grumman, Fraunhofer, USA, The Center for Molecular Biotechnology, and The Protective Group. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, and The San Antonio Area Foundation, a not for profit managing $900 million in assets for charitable endeavors.

General Hill has strong ties and contacts with opinion and policy makers throughout our government’s executive and legislative branches, the military, defense industry, academia and think tanks. He understands the workings of our government and the relationship between industry, the military, and Congress. Additionally, he has a keen understanding of foreign militaries and governments, both in and beyond Latin America. He has traveled and worked in over 70 countries.