Meeting/Event Information

Our goal is to give our attendees a new perspective on project management in such a unique charitable organization, while bridging the military / civilian divide.  The proceeds should benefit our non-profits, and attendees can feel good about learning about how to manage a global charitable organization's operation, earn  PDUs, and give back.  Win, win, win. We hope that this also furthers your efforts to campaign to new audiences in the spirit to seek more sponsors. 

About The Speaker: Gunnar Spafford, USMC (Retirted), Deputy Vice President of Business Development at the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, brings over 25 years of dedicated service in the United States Marine Corps. His military career spanned 12 years enlisted as an infantryman and military policeman, followed by 13 years as a military police officer.  Additionally, he spent two years as a Financial Planner with Northwestern Mutual and two years as Deputy Staff Director for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Pentagon.

Born in Iceland and raised in Chester, VT, Gunnar enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1993, attending boot camp in Parris Island, SC. Serving as a Rifleman with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines in Hawaii, he transferred to military police in 1997, holding roles such as Watch Commander and Team Leader for the Special Reaction Team.

After commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in 2005, he served in various capacities, including Deputy Provost Marshal at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, and Executive Officer for 2d Battalion, 24th Marines, deploying to Iraq in 2007. Gunnar's diverse roles included Aide-de-Camp in Japan and assignments in antiterrorism/force protection and as an operations officer in Afghanistan.

Completing a master's degree in business administration from San Diego State University in 2013, Gunnar went on to Naval Postgraduate School, earning a master's degree in manpower systems analysis in 2016. His final military assignment was as the Section Head of Enlisted Plans at Manpower and Reserve Affairs in Quantico, Virginia.

In addition to his professional achievements, Gunnar is actively involved in volunteering, currently chairing ViVa! Vienna! for the Rotary Club and serving as a Scoutmaster, guiding numerous scouts to achieve Eagle Scout status. He is married to Joy Diane Morris, and they have three children.

**50% of proceeds going to Toys for Tots