Five people within the First Congressional District received congressional certificates  from Don Davis’s office for volunteering to interview and recommend eligible applicants for United States service academies.

Each year Davis can nominate up to 10 individuals for appointment to four of the country’s five service academies — the coast guard academy does not require congressional nominations.

The nominations board was made up of Lt. Col. James Bond, Lt. Col. Julie Kendrick, retired Col. David H. Sammons Jr., retired U.S. Navy Capt. Keith Wheeler, and Dr. Kelvin Edwards.

“I am grateful to our Service Academy Nominations Board members who volunteered their time to identify and recommend exceptional candidates who exemplify the values of leadership and dedication to our country,” said Congressman Don Davis. “Their selfless efforts ensure that our nation’s future remains in good hands with those who will carry the torch of leadership with honor and distinction."

(Pictured in the gallery with District Director Kim Mack are Bond, Wheeler, Kendrick and Sammons. Edwards is not pictured)

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Board profiles

Bond currently serves dual roles as battalion commander of the 1-130th Attack Battalion and commander of Army Aviation Support Facility 1 in Morrisville. 

He has over 23 years of service in the North Carolina National Guard. Bond holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kendrick is a military science professor and chairperson at Elizabeth City State University.

Sammons has served 28 years in the Air Force and has experience commanding units in peacetime and combat conditions. 

His significant military decorations include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Gallant Unit Citation, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals. 

In 2019, Sammons was inducted into the Air Commando Association Hall of Fame. 

He currently serves as the District 2 commander in the North Carolina American Legion.

Edwards has more than 25 years of experience in public education. 

Before joining the Greensville County Public Schools in 2021, he served with school divisions and districts in Virginia and North Carolina, including as a high school biology teacher, principal, public information officer, and deputy/assistant superintendent.

As superintendent of GCPS, Edwards has led the division to update its mission and vision statements and bring stakeholders together to work collaboratively on increasing safety within schools. 

He also advocated for later start times for middle and high school students to help decrease tardiness and absences.

Edwards earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Cambridge College, an educational specialist degree in educational leadership, and a master’s degree in education from North Carolina A&T State University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural technology.

Wheeler is the executive director of East Carolina University’s Office of National Security and Industry Initiatives. 

The Office of National Security and Industry Initiatives combines several REDE programs into one office, helping ECU researchers engage with government and industry entities to advance programs and partnerships that promote eastern North Carolinians' health, education, and economic advancement.

As the office’s executive director, Wheeler plays a critical role in supporting REDE’s mission to actively grow ECU’s research enterprise.

The Manteo native has held numerous leadership positions in the Navy, including commanding officer of U.S.S. McInerney, where he led the Navy’s first at-sea autonomous flight tests of the Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle, as well as a daring night capture of a self-propelled semi-submersible drug sub off the coast of Central America.

Other assignments include Chief of Staff at DARPA ­— the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency charged with creating breakthrough technologies and capabilities for national security — the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. 

Wheeler earned his master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College and his bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy.