Fredericksburg, Texas – The Admiral Nimitz Foundation (ANF) is proud to announce the appointment of Brigadier General Steve Salazar, USA (Ret), as their new CEO/President, effective November 9, 2024. Salazar takes over from Mike Hagee, who led the foundation for over 16 years. The ANF funds and operates the National Museum of the Pacific War.

Salazar brings a wealth of experience from his 36-year career in the United States Army, where he led commands in both Europe and Iraq before retiring in 2012. Following his military service, he joined DynCorp International, serving as Vice President of Global Strategic Initiatives, and later founded his own consulting firm, STV Solutions, LLC. Salazar has also been active in supporting mental wellness, working as Vice President of Operations Strategy at Cityblock Health and founding the 360 Military-Veterans Partnership, a non-profit dedicated to promoting the health, resilience, and leadership capacity of active-duty NCO leaders.

“Building on the foundation of General Hagee’s vision and leadership, our professional team, with the tremendous support of the Texas Historical Commission and our State Legislature, are prepared to take this institution to the next level of national prominence,” said Salazar. “I am deeply humbled and excited to have the opportunity to lead this great team and contribute to the Fredericksburg/Gillespie County community.”

Born at Fort Benning, Georgia, Salazar graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned his M.S. in National Security Strategy from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA. His final military posting was as Commanding General of the Joint Multinational Training Command in Bavaria, Germany, where he provided executive leadership for the training of U.S. troops and NATO teams across Europe. Prior to that, he served as Commanding General of the Coalition Army Advisory Team in Baghdad, Iraq, leading the development of a self-sustaining Iraqi Army.

Salazar and his wife Anna have relocated to Fredericksburg from San Antonio and are quickly integrating into the community. They have already represented ANF at the Red, White & Bourbon Fundraising event at Garrison Brothers Distillery and attended FlavoryTX’s Holiday Prelude. Salazar also led the Veterans Day commemoration at the National Museum of the Pacific War.

“My wife Anna and I are deeply honored by this opportunity to take the helm of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the National Museum of the Pacific War,” said Salazar. “We feel exceptionally blessed to be joining this amazing team and this wonderful community. Everyone has been iconically ‘Texas-friendly’ and welcoming.”