USO of North Carolina Board of Directors announces new president and CEO, James Whaley

Military veteran and former fortune 500 company executive assumes lead of military-focused nonprofit

Raleigh, N.C., - The USO of North Carolina, a nonprofit organization that strengthens military service members and their families, today announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed James E. Whaley as the organization’s new president and CEO. Whaley succeeds John Falkenbury, who continues to support those who have served in a new capacity as executive vice president at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Whaley joins the USO of North Carolina with military experience and a deep knowledge of the nonprofit and communications industries. Most recently, Whaley founded and served as CEO of Sonnet Public Relations, LLC, a veteran owned and operated public relations firm helping build and promote brands, managing crisis communications and coaching both large and small brands. Whaley previously served in executive level positions at Fortune 500 company, Sealed Air Corporation, and Fortune 50 company, Siemens Corporation.

“After a thorough selection process, the USO of North Carolina Board of Directors is pleased and proud that Jim Whaley will lead this organization in navigating and expanding the USO of North Carolina’s support for our military members and their loved ones,” said Brig. Gen. Maureen K. LeBoeuf (Ret.), USO of North Carolina Board of Directors Chair. “Jim is a military veteran and a strong communicator with expertise in strategic communications and nonprofit management. This experience combined with his excellent leadership skills, makes Jim uniquely qualified to lead the USO of North Carolina into the future of strengthening our service members.”

Whaley honorably served as a Master Army Aviator and U.S. Army Helicopter Instructor Pilot and also served as the director of communications at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Veterans Bridge Home, Hope for the Warriors and Red Cross of the Carolinas and the Lock Haven University Foundation.

“I am honored to join an organization with such a proud history of serving our military, veterans and their families. North Carolina has a great history of appreciating military service and is home to the oldest USO in the world,” said Whaley. “Serving our active duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel across the state is accomplished by the exemplary service of the USO and it’s many volunteers. I am proud to join this great team, who are the force behind our forces.”

Whaley assumes the role of president and CEO August 15, 2019. To learn more about the USO of North Carolina and the critical programs and services it provides, visit uso-nc.org.

ABOUT THE USO OF NORTH CAROLINA The USO of North Carolina strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their service to the nation. Founded in 1941, the USO of North Carolina is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of North Carolinians to support its programs and services. The USO of North Carolina serves the third largest military population in the U.S. through critical education, wellness, transition assistance and resiliency programs across the state resulting in nearly 600,000 service connections each year. For more information, visit uso-nc.org.