Aside from his talents as an outstanding counselor, teacher, mentor and football and tennis coach, Maj. Walt Diehl presided over what will surely be remembered as the Golden Age of Tennis at Missouri Military Academy. Walt’s great ability as a recruiter and motivator resulted in a nine-year period of athletic excellence, from 1983 to 1992, in which the MMA tennis team won 90 dual matches, losing only 10. In recognition of his dedication to the Academy, the cadets and leading our winning tennis team for many years, we are honored to induct Maj. Walt Diehl into the 2023 Missouri Military Academy Athletic Hall of Fame.
Notable Alumni
Tony Serna was an all-state athlete during the five years he spent as a cadet at Missouri Military Academy. Known for his determination and leadership, Tony thrived in all facets of the MMA experience. For Tony’s dedication to his many clubs and teams, for the records he broke and those he holds, and for the example he continues to be, we are honored to induct Tony Serna, Class of 2004, into the 2023 Missouri Military Academy Athletic Hall of Fame.
Chase Hughes came to Missouri Military Academy in 1994 as a high school freshman from Houston, Texas. He attended MMA for four years, graduating with the Class of 1999. During his time at the Academy, he was a member of Echo Company, a dedicated Fusileer and a competitor in football, golf and wrestling. Over the course of a 20-year Navy career, Chase became a leading military and intelligence behavior expert, creating the Behavior Pilot System and a brand for himself. He has set the standard and produced multiple curriculums used by law enforcement and government agencies worldwide. For these accomplishments and all of his accolades, Chase is inducted into the 2023 MMA Alumni Hall of Fame for Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership
Ian Wolfe began his five-year stay at Missouri Military Academy in 1986. Arriving from Austin, Texas, Ian joined Marching Band, Jazz Band and the Drum & Bugle Corps. He was also member of the M Club, participating in many sports such as football, basketball, track and wrestling. A platoon leader, he served on Charlie Company staff and was a member of Delta Phi. MMA is where Ian’s flying career took off after winning one of two aviation scholarships that led him to his first-ever solo flight in 1991. For his dedication to our country and many honors, Ian is inducted into the 2023 MMA Hall of Fame for Distinguished Military Service.
Chase Harlan arrived at Missouri Military Academy in 1986 for his sophomore year of high school. He graduated with the Centennial Class in 1989 as Alpha Company commander. During his time at MMA, Chase was battalion diving champion and a member of the varsity swim team; he also played soccer and enjoyed a variety of other sports. He served as art editor of At Ease literary magazine and worked on the Taps yearbook staff. Today, Chase is leaving the Harlan imprint on the entertainment industry. As a production designer in film and television, he has created the visual concept for several of TV’s biggest hit shows such as Entourage, Ballers, Empire — and even the Academy Awards. For these and many other accomplishments, he is inducted into the 2023 MMA Hall of Fame for Arts and Sciences.
Allison Thomas Stanislaus “Pooley” Hubert is remembered as one of the South’s greatest college football players. Hubert had a prolific football and coaching career that spanned more than 40 years — a career that began in the early 1920s at Missouri Military Academy.
MMA alumni Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons ʼ80 shares how structure and discipline have been the keys to his ascent up the ladder of success. Currently serving as deputy assistant secretary of defense for reserve integration, Lyons has taken these constants to heart as he embodies the mission of Missouri Military Academy.
Ever the entrepreneur, teenage Bill Hankes knew what he wanted and discovered Missouri Military Academy was the way to get it. The decision he made 40 years ago to attend MMA has paid him back in spades over the course of his career, evidenced last summer with his appointment as chief communications officer at Forbes.
Attending Missouri Military Academy inspired a lifetime of following twin passions for Ned Thanhouser '68 — a successful career in high technology and later renown as a film preservationist.
Known as the first test pilot for the original Cessna 172 prototype, Emil “Fritz” Feutz ’41 was a pilot, aerodynamicist and flight test engineer. His lifelong ambition was to be a pilot, and his notable career spanned decades in the sky.
Named one of America’s top 20 CEOs of 2020, alongside Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, Missouri Military Academy (MMA) alumnus Charles “Chase” Hughes ’99 is a leading military and intelligence behavior expert with 20 years of experience creating the most advanced behavior skills courses and tactics available worldwide.
Jess Larson ʼ22 lived his life in service to his country and fellow citizens. An accomplished attorney, he served as mayor of Chickasha, Oklahoma, and rose to the rank of major general in the U.S. Air Force, also filling roles by presidential appointment as administrator of the War Assets Administration and the General Services Administration.
Starting his career as an Army infantry officer, Casselle has risen to work some of the nation’s highest-profile security assignments over the past two decades. He currently works as the director of counterterrorism on the National Security Council staff at The White House.
Jesús Guzmán is a famous standup comedian who has applied his talent and creativity to multiple facets of the entertainment industry. Throughout his career, he has served as a television writer, actor and talk show host; radio personality, voice actor and DJ; writer; producer; and translator for Broadway adaptations in Mexico.
Mark Ledford ’78 was an accomplished trumpeter, vocalist and guitarist who regularly contributed to smooth jazz and jazz fusion albums throughout the 80s and 90s.
"MMA was the perfect environment preparing me for the unexpected crucible of war I experienced during the majority of my life and service to our great country!" - Lieutenant Colonel Ian Wolfe (USAF, Ret) ’91
A successful pilot, veteran, big game hunter, businessman, Formula One race car driver and author – Burt Avedon ’41 led a life full of duty, excitement and adventure.
As a three-star general, Jack C. Fuson ’39 is among the highest U.S. military ranking Missouri Military Academy alumni. A true patriot, his active duty service extended over three wars, and even in his retirement, Fuson served his country as a military advisor and preserver of American history
Missouri Military Academy alumnus Paul Callaway was a distinguished composer, performer, choirmaster and musical leader known and recognized around the world.
A World War II veteran, Robert M. White II ’33 was a nationally recognized reporter, editor and publisher; a first amendment rights activist and a pioneer in cable television who served in leadership roles for several major news agencies and associations.
A successful actor and singer, Thomas “Christopher” Connelly ’59 starred in several television series and movies between 1963 and 1988.
Dr. William Burch ’89 is a successful doctor and leader in the emergency medical field — the medical director of Methodist North Hospital in Tennessee and program medical director of the Sound Emergency Medicine Fellowship in Texas and Louisiana.
Accomplished journalist, editor and photojournalist William “Bill” Battle ’86 was recently nominated for the Missouri 2019 Photojournalism Hall of Fame. He will receive his award on October 17, 2019.
The retired president of Iowa Southern Utilities, an energy company headquartered in Centerville, Iowa, and later of IES Utilities, René Malès ’50 credits Missouri Military Academy with providing both strong academics and lessons in discipline that helped lead him to success.
William Berry from MMA’s Class of 1930 was a dedicated patriot who served as county attorney, solider, Oklahoma County judge and Supreme Court judge. He was also an active member of several veteran organizations, a humanitarian who served in leadership roles of major organizations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and was an initial organizer of the Big Brothers of Oklahoma.
Lorenzo Zambrano '59 was a world-renown businessman and philanthropist. As CEO, he transformed Cemex, a Mexican cement company originally founded by his grandfather, into one of the largest cement producers in the world.
Cody Fowler from Missouri Military Academy’s Class of 1908 was a prominent attorney, mayor and civil rights activist during the height of the civil rights movement and desegregation in the southern United States.
I was a budding juvenile delinquent growing up without discipline or guidance. MMA saved me, and this short story is what happened.
Howard Hughes and his business partner, William Sharp, founded Sharp-Hughes Tool Company and invented the Sharp-Hughes Rotary Dual-Cone Rotary Drill Bit, which revolutionized oil well drilling during the Texas Oil Boom.
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, Missouri Military Academy Class of 1969, is an internationally known author and public speaker on the subjects of male-female relations, marriage, parenting and communication. He has spoken to audiences across the world – from the New York Giants to troops in Iraq – in hopes of improving communication and healing relationships.
The MMA Class of 1994 Valedictorian Michael Aubuchon is a leading game designer who has contributed to the creation of some of the most well-known games in the industry, including “Doom,” “Rage,” and the “America’s Army” saga.
Dr. Stanley Zydlo ’52 – most well known as the “Father of Paramedics” – was the driving force behind creating the first multi-community system of paramedics and emergency medical technicians in the country. His initiative would spearhead the transformation of standards that we have today in which ambulance technicians and firefighters have emergency medical training, able to provide on-site and en route care as needed.
A strategic leader and entrepreneur, Gilberto Crombé ’89 has founded 11 companies in eight different countries. Today, he is the global chairman on the Entrepreneur Organization (EO) Global Board of Directors, which serves more than 13,000 business owners worldwide.
An accomplished engineer and strategic leader in the oilfield industry, MMA graduate Chris Schafer '89 has built a successful career on a foundation of values instilled by MMA.
From co-founding two brand magazines to working at the New York Times and Billboard Magazine, MMA alumnus Tony Gervino ’84 has built a career pursuing work he loves. He also says he’s been privileged to positively impact young people and the entertainment industry through his editorial power, knowledge and leadership.
Alejandro J. “Ali” Torres Bueno ‘67 stands among Missouri Military Academy’s trailblazing alumni. The only foreign national to receive all seven FAA Certified Flight Instructor designations, Torres has forged a successful life as an entrepreneur, team builder and leader.
Dale Dye is a decorated Vietnam War Veteran and successful actor, technical adviser, radio personality, writer and founder of Warriors Inc. He has dedicated his life to influencing the media to realistically portray the brave men and women who serve the country, giving their experiences a more honest voice.
MMA works to provide motivation and a positive education, to give young men the skills they need to take command of their lives and become great leaders. MMA is proud to count Mario Nardoni ’79, deputy chief technology officer and associate director of the U.S. Department of Treasury, among its esteemed alumni.