2021 Hall of Fame Inductee

Missouri State University (1980)

Dyson, Karen
Dyson, Karen (Photo Credit: Monica A. King) VIEW ORIGINAL

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Karen Dyson commissioned from Missouri State University Army ROTC in 1980.

Dyson was the first female finance officer to achieve three-star general officer rank in August 2014. She retired as Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller in August 2017.

Preceding this top military financial manager position, she held several command and senior staff positions, including as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Budget from December 2012 – August 2014, Deputy for Business Transformation to Assistant Secretary of the Army from 2011 – 2012, and brigade commander with service in Iraq and Europe from 2004-2007.

She is an experienced strategic leader with board experience in corporate governance, finance and audit committees, and risk oversight. She currently serves on the boards of USAA Federal Savings Bank since October 2017 (serving as nominations and governance committee chair); CALIBRE Systems, Inc. since October 2018 (serving as audit committee chair); and Army Emergency Relief Organization since 2020.

She previously served as a director on the boards of Army & Air Force Exchange Service, a global retail operation, from 2012 – 2017 (serving as finance committee chair); and Defense Commissary Agency, a global grocery operation, from 2012 – 2014.

Dyson received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Missouri State University, a Master in Business Administration from Austin Peay State University and an Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School of National Security and Resources Strategy. Certifications include National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Directorship Certification.

About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame

The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.

The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.

Read more about the 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees.