Prior to joining Groundwork as its Chief Operating Officer, Donald D. Purdy Jr. served 20 years as an Air Force officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. His career includes extensive leadership experience as a commander of special operations forces, a Strategic Advisor at the Pentagon, and as a staff officer at the Joint Special Operations Command. Mr. Purdy has deployed to multiple combat theaters, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Africa; is a three-time recipient of the Bronze Star Medal; and is a Distinguished Graduate of the Marine Corps War College, Air Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.