David Blackledge is the Executive Vice President of Melwood Veterans Services, LLC. He is responsible for the leadership and management of this newest branch of services within Melwood, focused on assisting our nation’s current and former warfighters. Prior to joining Melwood, Dave served in the U.S. Army for 37 years on both active duty and in the Army Reserve, and held numerous senior level positions including the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Affairs, U.S. Army Pentagon; and Commanding General of the 351st Civil Affairs Task Force, Baghdad, Iraq. He was also a faculty member of the Department of Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury. Dave is a seasoned combat veteran, having served during Operation Desert Shield/Storm and two tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned many awards and honors during his military service including two Purple Heart medals awarded for wounds sustained in combat. While in the Army Reserve, Dave worked for the Procter & Gamble Company for 15 years where he held management positions in operations, logistics, and human resources.
Dave holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He is also a graduate of the Army War College and the National War College’s Capstone Course for general officers. Dave is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Rotary, and MENSA. He is an avid sailor and cyclist and resides in Prince Frederick, Maryland with his wife, Iwona.
