About
AUSA’s Noon Report webinar series features presentations by senior Army leaders responsible for key programs and initiatives, as well as contemporary military authors who weave together the past, present and future story of the United States Army.

Please join us on Wednesday, 13 November, at 12:00 PM EDT, to hear a presentation by Chaplain (MG) Tom Solhjem, USA, Retired and Chef Daniel W. Thomas. Chaplain Solhjem will share how a proper focus on mental health and spiritual readiness complements and enables physical health and readiness. Thomas, acclaimed chef, author and philanthropist, will discuss the importance of healthy eating and how good food is our best medicine.

The views and opinions of our speakers do not necessarily reflect the views of the Association of the United States Army. The discussions held, in the opinion of the Association, will contribute to the overall discussions on defense or national security issues. These webinars should not be taken to represent the views of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, the United States government, the Association of the United States Army or its members.

When
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 · 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada) (GMT -5:00)
Agenda
  • 1145-1200: Log-on
  • 1200: Opening remarks by LTG Leslie Smith, U.S. Army Retired, Vice President, Leadership & Education, AUSA
  • 1205-1225: Fireside Chat with Chaplain (MG) Tom Solhjem, USA Retired and Chef Daniel W. Thomas
  • 1225-1245: Question & Answer Session with Chaplain (MG) Tom Solhjem, USA Retired and Chef Daniel W. Thomas
  • 1250: Closing remarks by LTG Leslie Smith, U.S. Army Retired, Vice President, Leadership & Education, AUSA
Presenters
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Chaplain (MG) Tom Solhjem, USA Retired
Tom is a North Dakota native who enlisted in the US Army on Active Duty, 10 July 1974. On 17 December 1977, Tom married his childhood sweetheart Jill “Walberg” Solhjem. He received a Bachelor of Arts from North Central U and a Master of Divinity from Bethel Theological Seminary. Ordained by the Assemblies of God, serving six years as an inter-city pastor, he transferred from the US Army Reserves to Active Duty as a Chaplain in 1988. Solhjem’s assignments included numerous Airborne, Ranger, Special Forces, and elite units. He served in the Army and Special Operations most senior Commands, culminating a 49-year career as the Army's Chief of Chaplains.
Graduate of the Resident, US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA. MMS Degree. Tom has numerous awards and citations, just to name a few: Defense Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge; Ranger Tab; Master Parachutist Wings; and multiple Foreign Jump Wings. CH Tom served over 68 months in combat including Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Uphold Democracy, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. Tom and Jill have four adult children: BJ, wife Laurie, three daughters; Thad, wife Deanna; Sam, wife Caitlin; Beth, husband Andrew Gustafson, two sons and a daughter. Chaplain (MG) Solhjem retired on 1 August 2023. Tom’s years of leadership experience, combined with Dr. Miller years of research in evidenced-based science on spirituality, are now focused on bringing years of proven leadership experience to the public and private sector to strengthen spiritual life, promote the free exercise of religion, and transform culture.
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Chef Daniel W. Thomas
Daniel W. Thomas is an acclaimed Chef, Cookbook Author, and Philanthropist. Chef Thomas is a graduate of the World's Premier Culinary College, The Culinary Institute of America. He is a native of Washington, DC and has spent much of his career serving culinary creations at restaurants, hotels and dining rooms inside and around the Beltway to residents, tourists, politicians, entertainers, athletes, celebrities and the President of the United States. Currently, he is Private Chef to Washington D.C.’s power elite, his clients include numerous U.S. Senators and other elected officials, many of whom were introduced to his creative treats when he served as a Head Chef for the United States Senate Executive Dining Room and the Head Banquet & Catering Chef for the United States Capitol.

Chef Daniel’s experiences on Capitol Hill afforded him valuable business expertise. His position at the United States Capitol required him to manage, cook and serve tasteful, healthy meals to Senators while handling their sensitive dietary restrictions.
His Capitol Hill tenure included direct meal planning and preparation for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden during their visits to the Capitol. As the Head Banquet and Catering Chef, he successfully prepared lunches, dinners, official meals and meetings for international diplomats and foreign heads of states and countries.

One of the highlights of his career was serving with the team of chefs at the Annual Kennedy Center Honors Awards Program. On the day of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, he had the honor to cook and serve brunch to our nation’s 44th President, Barack Obama, The First Lady, and Vice President Joseph Biden. He has had the honor in cooking for some of the world's most powerful families. He has cooked for the King family, Kennedy family, Reagan Family, Clinton family, Obama family, Dick Gregory family and many more.

Chef Daniel was the Executive Chef of the Leadership for the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. where he prepared delectable meals for numerous US Senators and Celebrities. In addition, he focuses on healthy nutrition and serves as Regional Executive Chef for the American Diabetes Association and has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Occupational Health, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and farmers’ markets on various issues related to health and diet. Chef Daniel is on a national and international tour to promote healthy cooking, healthier eating, healthier living and peace with food. His cook book has received national attention as he participated as a featured author at the Library of Congress 2014 National Book Festival where he performed a standing room only cooking demo & sold-out book signing. He was named the first African American Male Chef in history to be a part of the prestigious National Book Festival.
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Mr. Marshall M. "Will" Williams
Former Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
Marshall ‘Will’ Williams is the Founder and President of the leading executive coaching and consultancy firm West Point Resources specializing in change management. He has over 42 years of experience in the Human Capital domain in a wide variety of companies and organizations—including the U.S. military. He previously served as the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and he is a member of the Senior Executive Service. Marshall has a BS in Management, an MS in Management and an MS in Human Resources Management, all from National-Louis University. He received his executive leadership coaching training at Georgetown University.
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