WASHINGTON, March 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) director of Leased Facilities Protection, Richard McComb, was honored during a Palmetto Scholars Academy ribbon cutting ceremony that took place on Jan. 23, 2016, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The Academy dedicated its administrative suites in McComb's name for his efforts to have the new facility built while he served as the base commander from 2011 to 2013.
"It's a great feeling to finally see this come to fruition because of the lasting impact it will have on our military families." said McComb "It is really one of the greatest accomplishments of my military career."
McComb joined PFPA in September 2015, following 27 years of service in the U.S. Air Force. As the director of leased facilities, he is responsible for the law enforcement, security, and emergency management of more than 60 Department of Defense leased facilities in the Washington D.C area.
"McComb is a great example of the seasoned professionals working in our Agency" said PFPA Director Steven Calvery. "This is a significant accomplishment, and he has a right to be proud."
Opening in 2010, the Academy began in a small daycare center on Naval Weapons Station Charleston. Faced with constant funding and space issues, the school needed support to find a more permanent location for its students. That would prove to be a difficult task. Encountering obstacles at every turn, Chairman of the Academy School Board Stacey Lindbergh approached then base commander, Col. McComb for assistance.
"Going to Col. McComb was a long shot. I didn't know if it was going to work, but after talking to him, I knew we were going to be successful," Lindbergh said.
Recognizing the need and opportunity to offer military families a superior school opportunity, McComb worked with the Academy, and other organizations, to establish its new location in Hunley Park across from the Air Base. The new 45,000-square foot facility will house more than 500 students where about 20% of the student slots are reserved for active duty service members' children.
Palmetto Scholars Academy, an award-winning charter school for gifted and talented children, is a member of the South Carolina Public Charter School District which allows any resident in the state to attend the school for gifted and talented students in grades 6-12.
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SOURCE Pentagon Force Protection Agency
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