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Brigadier General
Harvey W. Schiller
Permanent Professor 1980–1986
B.S., The Citadel
M.S., University of Michigan
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Harvey Schiller, the Academy’s 38th Permanent Professor, was born in New York City in 1939. He was an ROTC Distinguished Graduate from The Citadel in 1960. He entered an educational delay and accepted a graduate fellowship at the University of Michigan, where he earned his Master’s degree in Chemistry in 1962. He began his active duty in pilot training at Moody AFB, AL—graduating first in his class—followed by operational flying assignments in the C-123 at Holloman AFB, NM, and Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam. He was assigned to the Academy as Instructor of Chemistry in 1967. In 1968 Harvey returned to the University of Michigan where he earned his PhD in Chemistry in 1970. He was next assigned as Pilot and Base Operations Officer at Robins AFB, GA. Returning to the Academy in 1972, he taught introductory and advanced inorganic chemistry and was a T-29 Instructor Pilot, Soaring Instructor, and Associate Air Officer Commanding for a cadet squadron. In 1975 he attended Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA, followed by a tour flying KC-135s at Grand Forks AFB, ND, 1976–1978. Returning to the Academy, he first taught chemistry and in 1979 was Director of Faculty Support in the Office of the Dean. He was appointed Permanent Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry in 1980. During his tenure he served the Academy as its Faculty Representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He was a consultant to the US Olympic Committee during the 1984 games in Los Angeles, responsible for the boxing program. He retired in 1986 and was promoted to brigadier general in 2004.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, Harvey accepted the position of Commissioner of the Southeastern (Athletic) Conference (1986–1989). Under his guidance the SEC established itself as a leader in the areas of athletic scholarship and marketing. He was later Executive Director of the United States Olympic Committee (1989–1994); President of Turner Sports and President of the National Hockey League franchise the Atlanta Thrashers (1994–1999); and Chairman and CEO of YankeeNets, an integrated sports-based media company with ownership of the New York Yankees, New York Nets, and New Jersey Devils (2000–2002). Harvey served as Chairman of Assante U.S., a provider of financial and life management products and services (2002–2004). He was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Global Options Group, Inc. (2004–2013), and President of the International Baseball Federation (2007–2009). From 2014 to 2016 he was Commercial Commissioner of the America’s Cup. He has been Managing Director of Diversifies Search since 2008, Chairman and CEO of Schiller Management Group since 2010, and was Chairman of “lettrs,” a social autographs network, 2017. Harvey has received honorary doctorates from Northern Michigan University in 1994, the United States Sports Academy in 2011, and The Citadel in 2012.