Featured Alumni

SILVANUS TACO GILBERT

The Broad Superintendents Academy Class of 2010
Corporate Director of Strategic Planning
Sierra Nevada Corporation, Nev.
Brigadier General (Ret.), U.S. Air Force

“A strong education system is the foundation of our democracy and our economy. The time, talent and financial contributions we make to education are the greatest investments we can make to the future of our nation and our people. In addition to the strategic imperative, education reform has a very human face. Each child deserves the tools to contribute and compete in our society and the skills to empower lifetime learning. Every child can, and must, learn. We must stay focused on the children and our vision must remain one of academic achievement for all students. With that focus and empowered by that vision, true success in education is possible.”

Brigadier General (retired) Silvanus Taco Gilbert recently transitioned from the United States Air Force after a 31 year career. He currently serves as the corporate director of strategic planning for the Sierra Nevada Corporation in Sparks, Nevada. Before leaving the military, he served as director of strategic plans, requirements and programs for the Air Force Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base. In this role, he was responsible for force structure planning, programming, doctrine, and requirements for the nation’s airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and refueling force. Previously, he commanded a refueling squadron, an operations group, an airlift wing, and a training wing. As a general officer, he served as director of the Air Force Smart Operations 21 (USAF Process Improvement) in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and director of strategic planning at U.S. Air Force Headquarters. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, master’s degrees in airpower strategy from the Air University, national security strategy from the National War College, and public administration from Harvard University.  Gilbert is a member of the 2010 class of The Broad Superintendents Academy.