Outstanding Veteran Alumni Award

Brigadier General Andrew C. Gaineyis currently serving as the Deputy Commanding General – Operations of the 3rd (French) Division in Marseille, France.

Upon graduation from the University of South Carolina in 1992, he was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer and has since served in a variety of key leadership positions throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

During his career, he has had the distinct privilege to lead Soldiers in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan. BG Gainey commanded troops at the Brigade and Battalion level, most notably as the Commander of the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Riley, Kansas, and later as the Commander of the 17th Field Artillery Brigade (HIMARS) at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington.

While serving as the Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver) of the 1st Infantry Division, he commanded the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters (Forward) in Poland.

BG Gainey’s staff experience includes Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of Staff, Army, Senior Military Assistant to the Undersecretary of Defense and Military Assistant in the Office of the Secretary Defense.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina, a Master’s degree from Kansas State University, and a Master’s degree from the United States Marine War College.

He credits most of his career accomplishments to the leadership and mentorship he received from the University of South Carolina ROTC Department.

COL (Ret) Keith June hails from Bonneau, South Carolina. A 1986 graduate of the University of South Carolina, he was commissioned in the US Army Signal Corps in 1986.

Keith spent over 30 years serving our nation in the Army. His military career took him around the world with assignments in Germany, Panama and multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Kuwait and Bosnia.

He also served on the Joint Staff, the Army Staff and completed a special assignment with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

COL (Ret) June’s notable military assignments include Signal officer in the 325 Airborne Infantry Regiment (AIR), company command in the famed 82^nd Airborne Division, Operations officer in the 82^nd Signal Battalion, Command of the 54^th Signal Battalion in Iraq, XVIIIth Airborne Corps G-6, and Senior Communications officer, CJ-6, for NATO and US Forces in Afghanistan. Keith also served as the J-6 for Joint Task Force Haiti in 2010.

A Master rated parachutist, COL (Ret) June was awarded 3 Bronze Stars and the Humanitarian Service Award for his service in Iraq, Afghanistan and Haiti. COL June is also the recipient of the Legion of Merit and the Defense Superior Service Award.

COL (Ret) June joined the Army as he was deeply inspired by the service of his grandfather, Walker Curtis, a WWII Veteran. Mr. Curtis served in WWII and returned home where he continued to serve his community. Mr. Curtis, using skills he learned as an Army Engineer, built the community church.

In 2020, during the COVID crisis, Keith served as the Chair for the Veterans Alumni Council (VAC) for the University of South Carolina. Despite the challenges posed by COVID, Keith looked for ways to continue to connect and engage with Veterans to include developing programs such as virtual events which highlighted the contributions of Servicemembers and Veterans. Additionally, during this period, with the tremendous assistance of other Veterans and Veterans organizations, the VAC was able to fully endow the Salute to Service Scholarship. The Salute to Service scholarship is already having a great impact on the Veterans and Gamecock Community.

COL (Ret) June also serves on the board of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF). VVMF is the organization that built and maintains the Vietnam Wall. A Soldier for life, proud South Carolinian, immensely proud Gamecock and American with a strong belief in the values of our nation, Keith has given back to church, community and nation. Keith is also a proud Life Member of the USC Alumni Association.

Dr. Caroline Fermin, a proud native of Beaufort, South Carolina, graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1985. Her career spans 25 years of dedicated service as a Communications Officer and Adjutant in the Marine Corps. Her global assignments include prestigious roles with U.S. Marine Forces Pacific, Camp Smith Hawaii, III MEF, Okinawa, Japan, U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida, and Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington DC. Her exceptional service has been recognized with personal decorations such as the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Dr. Fermin’s academic journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence. She holds a Master’s in Economics from Johns Hopkins University, a Master’s in Military Studies from Marine Corps Command and Staff College, a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps War College, and a Doctorate in Leadership and Innovation from St Thomas University. Her academic prowess is not just a source of inspiration but a shining example of what dedication and hard work can achieve.

Upon medically retiring from the Marine Corps, Caroline returned to Beaufort, SC, where she served as the Executive Director of the Parris Island Heritage Foundation. She was instrumental in her nonprofit’s being a major donor to her alma mater’s United States Marine Corps Film Repository. She continues to recruit support for this program actively.

Dr. Fermin’s leadership is not just evident; it’s undeniable. The Governor selected her to serve on the task force that developed the first cabinet-level position for veterans affairs. Under her guidance, the task force created the position description, conducted interviews, and recommended a nominee for the first Secretary of Veterans Affairs for South Carolina. Her leadership skills have made an impact and set a new standard for the veterans’ community.

As Director of Veterans Affairs for Beaufort County, Caroline has expanded the breadth and scope of operations, increasing the span of veteran services. She has established a Veteran Advisory Council and a Beaufort County Veteran Council, where she brings government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations together to support the veteran population. Under her leadership, the department has exceeded all goals in its first year, notably reducing the untethered population by five percent in less than 10 months.

As a wounded warrior, Caroline is a peer mentor for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), assisting fellow warriors in their recovery journey. She also serves as a WWP Warrior Advocate Leader, advocating for veterans in a grassroots effort in South Carolina. She has participated in several OPERATION Advocacy Fly-Ins on Capitol Hill and the first Women Warrior Summit in Washington DC last Fall. In this capacity, she actively advocates with our Federal legislators for veterans’ benefits such as the PACT Act, Major Richard Star Act, and several bills to combat veteran suicide.

Dr. Fermin’s leadership extends beyond her military and academic achievements. She is an active leader in her community, serving as a Paul Harris Fellow with her local Rotary and as a board member of several esteemed organizations. Her volunteer work with her church further demonstrates her unwavering commitment to serving others, inspiring those around her to do the same.

Through her service and commitment, Caroline epitomizes the character traits our military brings to our communities, including her servant leadership skills. Her continued service to our nation, our state, and Beaufort is her passion.

Caroline is married to Tim Harrington; they have four adult children, Caelan, Logan, Savannah, and Caitlin, all born in 1997. She is also the proud Gigi of two grandsons. This background gives a glimpse into the family values driving her commitment to serving others.

She is a life member of the USC Alumni Association and credits her success to her beginnings at Carolina.

Jim Richardson is the Vice President of Army programs for L3Harris Technologies. Responsible for driving topline growth, leveraging complementary channels and capturing large, multi-year opportunities. Additionally, he supports L3Harris innovative business development strategy responsible for the integration and synchronization across multiple programs.

Before joining L3Harris, Jim was an accomplished senior executive whose service in the U.S. Army has afforded him four decades of applied leadership experience. Throughout his career, Jim was consistently at the cutting edge of historical shifts occurring in the Army landscape, where he established personal and professional relationships throughout the U.S. government, Industry, and leaders of academia.

Prior to working in the private sector, Jim served as the Deputy Commanding General and Acting Commanding General of Army Futures Command, a 4-star organization he designed. Jim oversaw eight cross-functional teams responsible for the Army’s 31 signature modernization efforts, the Army’s Artificial Intelligence Integration Center at Carnegie Mellon University, and the Army Application Lab in Austin, Texas, which revolutionized the way the Army interacts with nontraditional small businesses in the innovation marketplace. Through the implementation of Project Convergence—a technology experimentation and demonstration that highlights emerging technology—he drove experimentation that provided compelling data to inform future resourcing decisions.

He additionally oversaw all science & technology for the United States Army, directing a 25% increase in emerging technologies transitioned into tangible capabilities.

Jim enjoyed an impeccable career as a combat aviator. Of note, Jim was selected to be a Strategic Advisor to both the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army. He authored the most comprehensive reorganization of capability and materiel development since the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986. He successfully commanded Soldiers & Civilians from Battalion through 4 Star level command. Jim is a native of Myrtle Beach, SC and a graduate of the University of South Carolina and holds multiple graduate degrees.