LTC Marisol A. Chalas
Garrison Commander
U.S. Army Parks Reserve Forces Training Area
Dublin, CA
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Marisol A. Chalas was born in Bani, Dominican Republic, and moved to the United States with her family to Massachusetts at the age of nine. She began her military career as an enlisted Soldier in July 1990. In 2001 she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Aviation branch from the Georgia Military Institute Officer Candidate School.
LTC Chalas has operations and strategic experience at the United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) and Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) level. LTC Chalas’ international duties entail Battle Captain and Platoon Leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Aviation Liaison in the Dominican Republic under a Combined Joint Task Force. Other assignments include Lean Six Sigma advisor, Force Management and Exchange Officer serving with the Canadian Forces in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and two rotations as Company Commander.
Her military education includes the Aviation Officer Basic Course, UH-60 Aviator Qualification Course, Aviation Captain’s Career Course, Intermediate Level Education (ILE), the Army Force Management Course, the Advance Operations Course (AOC), and the Strategic Fellows Program at The Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC. LTC Chalas received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University, and a Master in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. LTC Chalas is a certified Lean and Six Sigma Black Belt.
LTC Chalas has an extensive corporate career record with vast international experience. She worked for GE, where she held several senior management roles. She worked in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. LTC Chalas is a graduate of GE’s Nuclear Technical Leadership Program. LTC Chalas also worked for Booz Allen Hamilton as a Process Improvement Consultant.
Her awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (Bronze Service Star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Silver Hourglass/M Device), Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, FORSCOM Ironwoman Award, GEN George J. Hearn Trophy, Senior Aviator Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge. She is a recipient of the Propeller Club Port of Boston Academic Award. LTC Chalas was named Maritime Person of the Year by Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2016. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. LTC Chalas received the USCIS Outstanding American by Choice award in 2017. In March 2021, she was awarded the Medal of Merit by Dominican President Luis Abinader. LTC Chalas was also declared a Distinguished Citizen by the Dominican Senate and House of Representatives.
LTC Chalas served as Legislative Fellow for Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Minnesota District 4, in the United States House of Representatives. She later served as an Army Congressional Budget Liaison in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army Financial Management and Comptroller (ASA-FM&C). She was responsible for Aviation, Missiles, and Chemical portfolios. LTC Chalas served as the Legislative Assistant to the 37th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Pentagon. She recently served as Reserve Schools Branch Chief at HRC, Fort Knox, KY. LTC Chalas assumed Garrison Command on 31 May 2022. LTC Chalas is a student at the U.S. Army War College (USAWC) Distance Education Program (DEP) member of the Class of 2023.
Brian J. Connor is a 38-year veteran of the Emergency Medical Service Industry.
Brian began his career as an EMT at age 19, following his graduation from the Northeastern University EMT Program in 1979. He was hired as an EMT for Armstrong Ambulance Service, one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Massachusetts. He served in many clinical and managerial positions throughout the next 26 years, ultimately serving as the Chief Executive Officer for the last ten years while employed at Armstrong.
On April 25, 2006, Brian established LifeLine Ambulance Service. LifeLine quickly became one of the largest privately-owned ambulance companies in New England; with 13 offices strategically located throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 400 employees and fielding a fleet of more than 160 vehicles. Collectively LifeLine transported over 350 patients each day. LifeLine was awarded the “Pacesetters” award from the Boston Business Journal in April 2013 and was featured in the Boston Business Journal on January 25, 2013. On July 1, 2015, LifeLine and its subsidiaries were sold to Kamylon Capitol, a Massachusetts based holding company. Brian remained on as a Senior Advisor and Consultant and retired on January 1, 2017.
During his 38-year career in EMS, Brian also served as President of the Massachusetts Ambulance Association for over 14 years; served on many local and state EMS committees and advisory boards; and founded the “Emergency Medical Coalition of Ambulance Providers” in 2002. EMCAP was a nationwide organization made up of ambulance providers focused on advocating on the federal level on the establishment and implementation of what’s now known as the Nationwide Medicare Fee Schedule Program.
As a frequent employer and supporter of MMA students; Brian helped establish the MA Maritime EMS System through his donation of an Ambulance, Ford Explorer first responder unit and Golf Cart in 2012. MMA-EMS is the only college-based, 100% student-run EMS club in Massachusetts, and a select few nationwide, that owns and operates their own Class I Licensed Ambulance; providing emergency and non-emergency coverage to the Academy’s entire Campus; and transporting those injured or ill persons directly to local hospitals. In recognition of his leadership and service to the Academy, Brian was awarded the Massachusetts Maritime Medal of Valor by Admiral Richard Gurnon on June 13, 2013.
In 2018, through a $100,000 grant from the Connor Family, MMA-EMS purchased a brand-new Ambulance and now provides EMS coverage beyond the Academy’s Campus. I n recognition of his continued leadership and support of MMA-EMS, Brian was named an “Honorary Member of the Regiment” by the Cadets and awarded his second Medal of Valor by Admiral Francis McDonald in 2019.
Aside from EMS, Brian serves on many Hospital Boards and Foundations, he is a former Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout and was recognized for his many years of service by the Boston Council Boy Scout Council. Brian is also an advocate for public housing, currently serving as Chairman to the Arlington Housing Authority, appointed by both Governor Romney and Governor Baker.
His hobbies are restoring antique ambulances, boating, and fishing. He also holds a 50 GRT Masters License from the United States Merchant Marine and during the summer Captains for Sea Tow, rescuing stranded boaters.
Brian is a 1984 graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He also received a Master’s Degree in Management in 1997 from Lesley University, Master’s Degree in Emergency Management in 2018 from Massachusetts Maritime Academy; and is currently completing both his Master’s Degree in Maritime Business and a Master’s Degree in Facilities Management at MMA, due to graduate with both Masters in the spring of 2020. Following this, Brian will be the first “Triple Buc”; the first person in the Academy’s history to have earned three separate degrees.
Brian resides in Arlington with his wife, Michele and two children, Elizabeth and Patrick.
- Bachelor of Science in Finance from UMass Dartmouth
