Cadet Leadership Academy Leaders
James Terry, Senior Vice President and Superintendent
Lieutenant General (Ret) Terry, a native of Chatsworth, Georgia, is an alumnus of Murray County High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Management from what was then North Georgia College, now the University of North Georgia. During his time at UNG, he was a member of the Cadet Corps, a Distinguished Military Student, and a Distinguished Military Graduate, commissioned into the Infantry Branch upon graduation in 1978. He holds a Master of Arts in Business Administration from Webster University and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy and Policy from the U.S. National Defense University.
Throughout his distinguished military career, Lieutenant General Terry commanded at every level from Rifle Platoon Leader to Theater Army. He has led Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines from multiple nations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. After retiring from the U.S. Army in January 2016 at the rank of Lieutenant General, he transitioned to the U.S. Defense Industry, serving as Senior Vice President for Strategy and Business Development at Cubic Defense since August 2016.
Bryan G. Kirk, Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff, Cadet Leadership Academy
Colonel (Ret) Bryan G. Kirk retired as a special forces officer with over 27 years of U.S. Army. He is a graduate of Campbell University (North Carolina) where he commissioned and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He holds Master of Science degrees in Strategic Studies (Army War College), National Security and Strategic Studies (Naval War College), and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts (LSU).
His previous experiences include UNG Professor of Military Science, and service in Special Operations units and deployed worldwide, including commands in 3rd and 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and as Director of Operations for the Theater Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida.
Brandon Knox, Director of Cadet Recruiting
brandon.knox@ung.edu
Dahlonega
Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Knox graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 2007, and served as an Army infantry officer in the 82nd Airborne Division, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), the 101st Airborne Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and several Special Operations Task Forces deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan several times. As an Army Reservist, Brandon serves as a Current Operations Action Officer on the military’s joint staff in the Pentagon, and he is pursuing a Ph.D. in organizational leadership. LTC Knox also previously served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of North Florida, the Vice President for Student Affairs at Riverside Military Academy, and as a highly successful project manager in the corporate world in the fields of energy and logistics.
Joseph (Joe) Matthews, Commandant of Cadets
joseph.matthews@ung.edu
706-864-1786
Military Leadership Center 102A, Dahlonega
Colonel (Ret) Joseph (Joe) Matthews was commissioned a second lieutenant in the air defense artillery from the University of North Georgia in 1994. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History degree from North Georgia College, a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the Army War College, and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science degree from the Air Force Command and Staff College.
Early in his career, Colonel Matthews served in air defense units in Korea and the 3d Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart. He then served as a military intelligence officer in the 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Drum, Robins Air Force Base, Ft. Meade, Maryland, Germany and Hawaii. He is also a veteran of deployments to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He served in many key staff positions, and commanded at the platoon, company, and battalion levels.
Ed Bankston, Professor of Military Science
Colonel Ed Bankston is a native of Decatur, Georgia. He graduated from the University of North Georgia in 2002 and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Engineer Corps, then transferred to the Infantry. He holds a Master’s in Adult Education from Kansas State University, a Master’s of Operational Art and Science, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the School of Advanced Military Studies.
Colonel Bankston served in a number of engineer, infantry, and staff positions, and commanded the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment from March 2019-March 2021 in 2nd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division. He is a veteran of several deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq in combat units and in high level staff positions. Among his many awards are the Silver Star for valor and the Purple Heart.
James Corbin, Director of Development, Cadet Leadership Academy
james.corbin@ung.edu
706-864-1999
Military Leadership Center, 105, Dahlonega
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) James Corbin graduated from the University of North Georgia in 2002 with an active duty commission in the Armor Branch and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is a graduate of the UNC-IDB Strategic Studies Fellowship Program, a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, and holds a Master’s Degree in Global and International Education from Drexel University.
James has deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment. Post-company command, James was assigned to 3-16th Cavalry Regiment, where he served as the Troop Commander and Course Manager for the Army Reconnaissance Course and Cavalry Leaders Course. In 2013, James transitioned off active duty into the GA Army National Guard, where he has served in the 560th BfSB, the 3-108th Cavalry Regiment, 3-121st Infantry Regiment, and in the State G3. Prior to joining the staff at UNG, James was the VP for Enrollment Management at Riverside Military Academy.
Heath Williams, Executive Director of Cadet Career Success
heath.williams@ung.edu
706-867-4476
Price Memorial, 220, Dahlonega
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Heath Williams, a native of Cumming, Georgia, graduated from the University of North Georgia in 1989. A Distinguished Military Graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and holds a Master of Science degree in International Studies from Troy University.
After serving as an Army Aviator, flying AH-1F Cobra Attack Helicopters and as an Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, he retired in 2011. Post military, he served as a Defense Intelligence Agency Senior Counterintelligence Instructor at the Joint Counterintelligence Training Activity and as a Department of Energy Counterintelligence Officer at the Savannah River National Laboratory.
Wesley (Wes) Pirkle, Director, Global Military Programs
wesley.pirkle@ung.edu
706-867-3166
Price Memorial, 218, Dahlonega
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Wesley M. Pirkle graduated from North Georgia College and Commissioned as a Regular Army Officer in 1993. Here he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and he also holds a Master of Military Art and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) retired after 28 years of service and qualified and commanded as both an Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer and Special Forces officer. During his career he served many years in The Netherlands, Germany, and France and deployed on operations throughout Africa, Europe, and South/Southwest Asia.
Terry Baumann, Assistant Director, Global Military Programs
terry.baumann@ung.edu
706-867-1748
Price Memorial, 218, Dahlonega
Sergeant Major (Ret) Terry Baumann began working for the Center for Global Engagement in June 2017 after serving as the Operations Coordinator for the Corps of Cadets as a member of the Commandant of Cadets staff.
Terry retired from the United States Army in 2013 after a 31-year career culminating as the XVIII Airborne Corps G-3 SGM. Terry served in a variety of airborne assignments including 3 tours with the 82ND Airborne Division, 5th Ranger Training Battalion, E Co 51st Infantry Long Range Surveillance Unit (Airborne), and the Joint Readiness Training Center.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree in management (Cum Laude) from Excelsior College and is pursuing a Master’s of Arts Degree in International Affairs from the University of North Georgia.