Nimitz Dinner 2025

The Admiral Nimitz dinner will take place Thursday, February 13th, 2025, with Guest Speaker, Robert M. Gates, 22nd Secretary of Defense (2006-2011).

Robert M. Gates

Robert M. Gates served as the nation’s 22nd Secretary of Defense (2006-2011). Dr. Gates served eight U.S. presidents across both parties and has the distinction of being the only secretary of defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in office by a newly elected president. On Gates’s last day in office President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.

Prior to becoming Secretary of Defense in 2006, Gates served as president of Texas A&M University, one of the nation’s largest universities.

Gates served in the CIA for nearly 27 years, culminating his service as Director of Central Intelligence from 1991 to 1993. He is the only career officer in CIA’s history to rise from entry- level employee to director. He spent nearly nine years on the National Security Council at the White House, serving four administrations across both parties.

Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, has three times received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and has three times received CIA’s highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.

Gates is a principal at the consulting firm Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel, LLC, alongside former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, and Executive Director of the Aspen Strategy Group Anja Manuel. Additionally, he is Chancellor of William & Mary, his alma mater. He has served on various public boards to include Starbucks, Fidelity Funds, the NCAA, the American Council on Education, and the Boy Scouts of America. Gates has authored four books, covering his experiences at CIA and at the Pentagon, leadership, and U.S. nonmilitary instruments of power.

Event Details

The Parish Center—St. Mary's Catholic Church

308 W. San Antonio St.—Fredericksburg, TX 78624

5:00 PM Cocktails

5:00 PM Private Reception for Platinum and Gold table Sponsors

6:00 PM Dinner Followed by Q&A with Steve Salazar

Business/Cocktail Attire

Purchase Tables or Tickets by January 22, 2025

Table Opportunities

All tickets include dinner and open bar.

Platinum Sponsor: $20,000 (Limited Availability)

• Table of 8 with first tier seating and VIP Parking
• One 10 x 7 Plaque on the Memorial Wall - Sponsor's Choice (honoring the Pacific WWII Veteran, Ship, or Unit)
• Private Reception with Robert M. Gates
• Photo Opportunity with Robert M. Gates
• Recognition in Program for Table Sponsor

Gold Sponsor: $15,000 (Limited Availability)

• Table of 8 with second tier seating
• Behind the scenes private tour of the George H.W. Bush Gallery (National Museum of the Pacific War) for eight people scheduled at sponsor's convenience
• Private Reception with Robert M. Gates
• Photo Opportunity with Robert M. Gates
• Recognition in Program for Table Sponsor

Silver Sponsor: $5,000

• Table of 8 with Preferred Seating
  
• One Brick for the Walk of Honor - Sponsor's Choice
• Cocktail Party
• Recognition in Program for Table Sponsor

Individual Ticket: $275

• Cocktail party

Please fill out the interest form to express your interest in a table and Macel Patterson will contact you to complete the purchase. If you have any questions, you may also contact Macel at 830-997-8600 Ext. 400.