JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Michael S. Linnington to the position of Chief Executive Officer, effective July 18, 2016.
Linnington is joining WWP from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), where he was appointed Director by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter in 2015. According to a press release, his decorated 35-year military career includes three tours in combat operations and key command positions in numerous assignments around the world.
His combat tours include command of the Third Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is an Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder and Ranger qualified officer, and earned the Expert Infantryman’s Badge and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
WWP was the subject of controversy earlier this year. CBS News previously released a report that found that Wounded Warrior spends 60 percent of donation money on veterans, compared to other organizations like Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service and Fisher House, which spend 96 and 91 percent.
About two months after the report went public, the board fired chief executive officer Steve Nardizzi and chief operating officer Al Giordano.