William K. Brehm
Encyclopedia
William K. Brehm is a United States
businesman who served as Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
from 1968 to 1970, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs from 1973 to 1976 and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs
from 1976 to 1977.
, where he attended Fordson High School
, graduating in 1947. He then attended the University of Michigan
, receiving a bachelor's degree
and a master's degree
in mathematics
and physics
. From 1952 to 1964, Brehm worked in advanced systems engineering
in the aerospace
engineering.
In 1964, Brehm joined the Office of the United States Secretary of Defense
. In 1968, he became Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
and served in that office until December 1970.
Brehm then joined Dart Industries as Vice President for Corporate Development.
Brehm returned to the United States Department of the Defense in 1973 as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs under United States Secretary of Defense
James R. Schlesinger
. He held this office until 1976, when he became Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs
under Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
. He served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs from March 19, 1976 to January 20, 1977.
From 1977 to 1980, Brehm was Executive Vice President of the Computer Network Corporation. In 1978, Brehm helped to found SRA International
. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors
of SRA International from 1980 to 2003. At the request of David Charles Jones
, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
, Brehm headed a committee to redesign the Joint Chiefs of Staff
. He was then Chairman of the Center for Naval Analyses
from 2003 to 2009.
Brehm is also a notable philanthropist
. He made a $15 million contribution to Fuller Theological Seminary
to found the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts. He also made a $44 million contribution to the University of Michigan W.K. Kellogg Eye Center to allow it to establish the Delores S. and William K. Brehm Center for Type 1 Diabetes
Research and Analysis. In June 2011, he also made a $3.2 million contribution to Eastern Michigan University College of Education
to develop a new special education center for research and scholarship.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businesman who served as Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
The Assistant Secretary of the Army — abbreviated ASA — is a civilian official in the United States Department of the Army.U.S...
from 1968 to 1970, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs from 1973 to 1976 and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, or ASD is the head of the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, responsible for providing support to the Secretary of Defense in his/her dealings with the United States Congress...
from 1976 to 1977.
Biography
William K. Brehm was raised in Dearborn, MichiganDearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
, where he attended Fordson High School
Fordson High School
Fordson High School is a secondary school located in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was completed in 1928 on a parcel of land which was then the village of Fordson, named for Henry Ford and his son Edsel Ford.-History:...
, graduating in 1947. He then attended the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, receiving a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
and a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
. From 1952 to 1964, Brehm worked in advanced systems engineering
Systems engineering
Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field of engineering that focuses on how complex engineering projects should be designed and managed over the life cycle of the project. Issues such as logistics, the coordination of different teams, and automatic control of machinery become more...
in the aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
engineering.
In 1964, Brehm joined the Office of the United States Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
. In 1968, he became Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
The Assistant Secretary of the Army — abbreviated ASA — is a civilian official in the United States Department of the Army.U.S...
and served in that office until December 1970.
Brehm then joined Dart Industries as Vice President for Corporate Development.
Brehm returned to the United States Department of the Defense in 1973 as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs under United States Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
James R. Schlesinger
James R. Schlesinger
Dr. James Rodney Schlesinger is an American politician. He is best known for serving as Secretary of Defense from 1973 to 1975 under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford...
. He held this office until 1976, when he became Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, or ASD is the head of the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, responsible for providing support to the Secretary of Defense in his/her dealings with the United States Congress...
under Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Henry Rumsfeld is an American politician and businessman. Rumsfeld served as the 13th Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford, and as the 21st Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush. He is both the youngest and the oldest person to...
. He served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs from March 19, 1976 to January 20, 1977.
From 1977 to 1980, Brehm was Executive Vice President of the Computer Network Corporation. In 1978, Brehm helped to found SRA International
SRA International
SRA International, Inc. is an information technology services and solutions consulting company incorporated as Systems Research and Applications Corporation in 1976 and beginning operations in 1978. Founded by Dr. Ernst Volgenau, it is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, and employs 7200 people...
. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of SRA International from 1980 to 2003. At the request of David Charles Jones
David Charles Jones
David Charles Jones is a retired U.S. Air Force general and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Jones was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota and raised in Minot, North Dakota, where he graduated from Minot High School....
, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
, Brehm headed a committee to redesign the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
. He was then Chairman of the Center for Naval Analyses
Center for Naval Analyses
CNA's Center for Naval Analyses is a federally funded research and development center for the Navy and the Marine Corps. It also provides research and analysis services to other military and government agencies to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S...
from 2003 to 2009.
Brehm is also a notable philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. He made a $15 million contribution to Fuller Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary is an accredited Christian educational institute with its main campus in Pasadena, California and several satellite campuses in the western United States...
to found the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts. He also made a $44 million contribution to the University of Michigan W.K. Kellogg Eye Center to allow it to establish the Delores S. and William K. Brehm Center for Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Diabetes mellitus type 1 is a form of diabetes mellitus that results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. The subsequent lack of insulin leads to increased blood and urine glucose...
Research and Analysis. In June 2011, he also made a $3.2 million contribution to Eastern Michigan University College of Education
Eastern Michigan University College of Education
The Eastern Michigan University College of Education was established in 1959. Eastern Michigan University has had a long history of developing educators since its founding in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School. Eastern Michigan prides itself as the largest producer of educational personnel in the...
to develop a new special education center for research and scholarship.