An executive at Black Entertainment Television was chosen to be the chief executive officer of the two nonprofits that help raise money for the U.S. Naval Academy.
The boards of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and U.S. Naval Academy Foundation selected Byron Marchant to be the new president and CEO this week. The two nonprofits operate under one CEO.
Marchant, who graduated from the academy in 1978, has been working as the executive vice president and chief administrative officer for the cable television network in Washington, D.C.
Marchant also has served as senior vice president and general counsel for Annapolis-based Telecommunications Systems Inc., and senior legal adviser to Federal Communications Commissioner Andrew Barrett.
Marchant replaces George Watt, who stepped down this year after eight years.
The service academy’s foundation has become a strong fundraising force for the academy in a short time. Larson established the foundation shortly after he returned to the academy for a second tour as superintendent in 1994.
Extra money raised through private donors — both alumni and corporations — has resulted in faculty chairs, distinguished military professorships, admission outreach programs and academic and writing centers for the brigade of about 4,400 midshipmen.
