Professor Walt Wildemann is a retired Surface Warfare Officer who first served as NWC faculty from January 1997 through September 2000 in the JMO Department where he taught both the Intermediate and Senior level courses. Upon retirement from active duty in September of 2000, he was hired as civilian faculty as a Professor of Strategy and Policy in the College of Distance Education. In 2002 he was named the Deputy Director of CDE, where he was instrumental in the expansion and transition of CDE programs, faculty, staff, and student body to the size and scope that exists today. In 2015 he was named the Director, CDE; and in 2017 appointed Dean of of CDE upon the College's elevation.