Augusta Technical College President Terry D. Elam is pleased to announce that Colonel Kim Elle, Executive Director of the Augusta Warrior Project (AWP), will deliver the commencement speech to graduates at the James Brown Arena on May 6^th, 2015 beginning at 7:00pm.

As Executive Director, Kim leads the strategic vision of AWP’s dynamic team and works closely with Community Partners to ensure veterans, service members and their families are connected to the appropriate resources and benefits to lead a more fulfilling life. 

Colonel Elle is currently serving in a US Air Force Reserve capacity at NSA Georgia at Fort Gordon. Kim is a career Intelligence Officer and has served in a variety of leadership positions at the tactical, operational and strategic levels for over 20 years. Over the years, Kim has supported Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Deliberate Forge and Deliberate Guard. 

Prior to joining the Fort Gordon Community, Kim served as an Assistant Professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy leading the Character & Leadership Development Curriculum to our nation’s next generation of leaders.  Kim’s most recent military role was as the Deputy Commander, 480 ISR Group, Fort Gordon, Georgia. 

Her service to our nation extends well beyond the uniform. Since leaving active duty, she has committed herself to supporting our nation’s service members, and their families, as they face the unprecedented challenges of today’s military – and the challenge of reintegrating into their communities and families when they return home.

Together with her colleagues at Sunergos, Kim’s passion to make a difference resulted in the development of “Leading with Resiliency and Grace: A Program for Women Who Serve”. They built this leadership development program to specifically take aim at the unique and frequently overlooked challenges women veterans face.  The program gives them the tools necessary to lead life in a way that inspires them, their families, and their communities. 

Kim has a deep commitment to supporting our nation’s service members. She has created powerful partnerships between corporations, government and nonprofits to serve those who have served.

Kim is the daughter of a career Air Force fighter pilot and a Gold Star Family Member. She lived in numerous foreign countries and several states growing up.  Kim is married to Colonel Steve Elle and they have four adult children: Jordan, Jessi, Kayli & Madi.