FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2015
Contact: James Whitaker
202-481-1148
jwhitaker@bens.org
BENS HONORS GENERAL JOHN ALLEN AND UNDER ARMOUR CEO KEVIN PLANK TO A
CROWD OF OVER 500 IN WASHINGTON, DC
Washington, DC – To a crowd of over 500 industry and national security leaders on Wednesday night, Business Executives for
National Security (BENS) presented their 2015 Eisenhower Award to retired Marine Corps General John Allen and Under
Armour Founder and CEO, Kevin Plank. Allen, who currently serves as the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global
Coalition to Counter ISIL, was honored for his continued service to the nation while Plank was recognized for his commitment
to American veterans and first responders. Allen and Plank join a distinguished group of past award recipients that include
former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and FedEx CEO Fred Smith.
The Eisenhower Award honors outstanding Americans whose contributions reflect President Eisenhower’s definition of
security as, “…the total product of our economic, intellectual, moral and military strength.” Plank, who founded Under
Armour in 1996, built his company into a global brand with over $3 Billion in revenue and a company culture of giving
back, particularly to those who served in uniform. Under Plank’s leadership, Under Armour has distributed over 10,000
backpacks to military personnel, contributed over $3.5 million to support injured veterans, started a special “Wounded
Warrior” line of apparel that raises awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project and initiated multiple programs to
support first responders.
Plank, speaking to BENS guests at the Reagan Center in Washington, D.C., echoed his commitment to those who served. “We
often speak of being hungry and humble at Under Armour, and very few things make us as humble or as proud as supporting
the nation’s brave men and women who risk their lives protecting our house. This is a great honor that will continue to drive us
as we amplify our longstanding partnership with the Wounded Warrior project, expand our restoration projects for first
responders and elevate our give back initiatives.”
BENS Chairman of the Board Bruce Mosler commended Allen’s leadership and service and went further to extol Allen in his
current role. “With General John Allen now back in harness, we have an opportunity for success in degrading and defeating the
Islamic State.”
Upon receiving the award, Allen, who last commanded the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in his last
assignment in uniform, commended the bravery of “the magnificent troops who have come returned home from war with
permanent scars, seen and unseen,” noting their sacrifices have inspired him to assist President Obama and Secretary of State
Kerry with promoting “the centrality America’s global leadership, and the unparalleled convening power that derives from that
unique quality, in the fight against ISIL.”
The evening was capped with further recognition for Vietnam-era veterans on the 50th anniversary of the United States’
involvement in the Vietnam War as well as recognition for Sergeant Bryan Anderson. Anderson received the Distinguished
Service Cross for his valor while serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2013.
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Founded in 1982, BENS is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit made up of senior executives who apply best business practices to
help national security leaders address their most pressing challenges. For more information, please visit: www.bens.org.