Earlier this month, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) recognized California Governor Appointee Administrator Julian Bond as the winner of the 2022 Spotlight on Excellence Award.  Bond is a former Army Fellow with the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs and currently employed by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet).

The Spotlight on Excellence Award is presented each year to one individual, program, or agency throughout public service in California (field of over 1.5 million CalPERS members).  CalPERS’s executive leadership and board presented Bond the award at its Educational Forum, which is an annual gathering of hundreds of government representatives and others.  A video the CalPERS team put together to introduce the award and Julian at yesterday’s event can be found online.

Bond credits his time at the Bush School for his professional success after retiring from the Army.

“My experience at the Bush School and at Texas A&M is what propelled me into public service after I retired from the Army.  The professors and students truly embraced the passion of lifelong learners, expanding the brand and most importantly public service,” Bond said. “I am passionate about the value that the US Army War College Fellows program at Texas A&M cultivates in support of our national security and most importantly how it strengthens our community partnership.  I sincerely appreciate my experience at Texas A&M and the Bush School!”

A former Colonel in the U.S. Army, Bond was recognized for his dedication to ensuring that residents of the CalVet home lead active and fulfilling lives and for inspiring his colleagues. Bond’s peers commended him for his dedication to the veteran community, passion for serving without fail, and decades of service as a decorated U.S. Army soldier. His colleagues refer to him as a “rockstar” and an example of what service looks like in the past, present, and future.

The Spotlight on Excellence award honors those who go above and beyond in their duties and elevates the importance of public sector work. The peer-nominated award gives employees of CalPERS contracting agencies the opportunity to recognize the shining stars in their own agencies who provide exemplary service for their communities.“Where Energy Flows, Attention Goes”

As part of the United States Army War College’s Senior Service College Fellowship Program, the Scowcroft Institute hosts officers as Army Fellows for one academic year. This program promotes cooperative academic exchanges between selected United States Army officers and civilian educational and teaching facilities.

https://bush.tamu.edu/news/scowcroft/former-scowcroft-fellow-receives-calpers-excellence-awards/