Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

LTC Peter Rooks

Professor of Military Science and Leadership

Lieutenant Colonel Peter L. Rooks was born in West Islip, NY and raised in Cocoa Beach, FL and East Islip, NY. He graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1988. LTC Rooks also earned a Master of Science Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University in 1999.

LTC Rooks was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate Infantry Second Lieutenant in May 1988. After completing the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He served as Rifle Platoon Leader, Mortar Platoon Leader, and Company Executive Officer in the 4th Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment. LTC Rooks deployed with the 4th Battalion, 22nd Infantry to Thailand for Cobra Gold 90 and supported Orient Shield 92 in Japan.

Following the Armor Officer Advanced Course in 1992, he was assigned to the 1st Armored Division, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment in Baumholder, Germany, where he served as Battalion Logistics Officer, Bradley Company Commander, and Headquarters & Headquarters Company Commander. LTC Rooks deployed with the 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry to Macedonia for Operation Able Sentry in support of Joint Task Force Provide Promise, and supported Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia.

From 1996 until 2000, LTC Rooks was assigned to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana where he served as an Observer Controller. There he trained units for combat.

In 2001, following graduation from Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He served as the Battalion Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment. LTC Rooks deployed to combat in Iraq with the 2nd Battalion, 327 Infantry in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 2003, following major offensive operations, he was assigned to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California where he served as an Observer Controller training units for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. LTC Rooks assumed responsibility of the “Pilot” Battalion at the University of Portland in June 2005.

LTC Rooks’ military education includes: Infantry Officer Basic Course, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Service and Staff School, Command and General Staff College.

LTC Rooks’ awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, United Nations Medal, and NATO Medal, He has also earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Air Assault Badge.

Phone: 503-943-8060

Email: rooks@up.edu

MAJ Douglas D. Thomas

Executive Officer

Major Douglas D. Thomas was born in Salem, Oregon, August 5, 1967. Major Thomas was assigned as the Assistant Professor of Military Science for the University of Portland, Army ROTC on April 24, 2006.

Major Thomas received his High School Diploma from Dallas High School, Dallas, Oregon in June 1985. He graduated from Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business on December 17, 1995. He received his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, December 9, 2004.

Major Thomas enlisted in the United States Army in the Signal Corps on August 8, 1985. He was honorably discharged after four years of service, with assignments in Ft. Gordon, Georgia; Sinop, Turkey; and Camp. Roberts, California. He was commission through the Oregon Military Academy’s Officer Candidate School on August 10, 1991. Since his commissioning, his assignments have included Fire Support Officer, Fire Direction Officer, Firing Battery Executive Officer, Battalion Personnel Officer, Battalion Signal Officer, Field Artillery Battery Commander, Joint Forces Headquarters Human Resource Officer and a Brigade Personnel Officer.

MAJ Thomas has completed the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advance Course at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He completed the Combined Arms Service and Support School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He completed the Intermediate Level Education for the Command and General Staff College thru the 104th Training Division out of Vancouver, Washington.

Major Thomas' awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Army Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon.

His professional affiliations include the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), Oregon National Guard Association (ORNGA) and Boy Scouts of America.

Major Thomas is married to Pamela K. Thomas. They have three children, Josh 11, Kaylee 8, and Kevin 5 years old. Major Thomas is and his family currently live in Canby, Oregon.

Phone: 503-943-8058

Email: thomas@up.edu

CPT Maryalicia Verdecchia

Recruiting Operations Officer

CPT Verdecchia is from Tigard, Oregon. In Oct 1991, she attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and went on to complete 55B (Ammunition Specialist) AIT at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. She was stationed in 41st Ordinance Company, at Rhein Ordanance Barracks Germany, from March 1992 until November 1995. She then joined the National Guard and worked to complete her Associate’s Degree while her husband finished his Army obligation. In August 2000, she was released from the Oregon National Guard to follow an ROTC scholarship at the University of Portland (UP).  1LT Verdecchia graduated Cum Laude from UP with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and commissioned on May 5th, 2002, as an Adjutant General (AG) Officer, branch detailed to the Chemical Corps (CM) and was activated immediately.

1LT Verdecchia completed COBC at the end of December and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, to be a Platoon Leader for 172nd CM Company. Shortly after arriving to the 172nd CM Co., she deployed for a year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After redeploying to Fort Riley she transferred to 24th Infantry Division where she served as the Adjutant. An early release from her Branch Detail was granted and 1LT Verdecchia came under orders to return to Fort Leonard Wood assigned to B. Co 43rd AG Battalion as a Company Commander from December 2004 to May 2006. After her command, CPt Verdecchia returned home to join the National Guard with her husband Brian and now works at the University of Portland as the Recruiting Operations Officer for the Army ROTC program.

CPT Verdecchia’s awards and decorations include an Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, an Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, an Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, an Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.  She is married to Brian K. Verdecchia of 10 years.

Phone: 503-943-8059
Email: verdecch@up.edu

CPT Lontai

MSIII Military Science Instructor

Phone: 503-943-8063

Email: lontai@up.edu

MSG Darin L. Larsen

Senior Military Instructor

I, MSG Darin Larsen entered active duty on 20 May 1986, in Marysville, California. Following basic and advance training at Fort Benning, Georgia, I completed Airborne school. My first assignment was with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, where I was assigned to 5th Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment as an Anti-Armor tow gunner, and then I served as a Scout Observer in the Battalion Scout Platoon. After re-enlisting I was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. While stationed at Ft. Lewis I was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 1st Infantry Regiment where I served as a squad leader and then became Section Leader in Bravo Company, 2nd Platoon. After one year I was sent to Fort Benning, GA and was assigned to 2nd Battalion 29th Infantry Regiment as an instructor at Duke Range. After instructing at the range for seven months I was reassigned to the United States Army Sniper School where I instructed for 18 months. In October of 1992 I was assigned to 3rd Battalion 325th PIR in Vincenza, Italy. For the next 37 months I served as a Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Platoon Leader in E CO 2nd Platoon. In 1995 I was transferred back to Fort Benning, GA as a Basic Airborne Instructor in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 507th PIR. In August of 1998 I was reassigned to the 10th Mountain Division where I served as a Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Leader in the AT Platoon, Battalion Operations Sergeant, and the HHC First Sergeant in 4th Battalion 31st Infantry Regiment. In September 2001, I was assigned to 1st Battalion 314th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division (ACRC), as an Observer/Controller Trainer. In July 2003, I was selected for assignment to 4th Battalion 23rd Infantry Regiment which is stationed in Alaska. This unit would be the third STRYKER unit to stand up and be ready to deploy to Iraq. I served as a rifle company 1SG for 18 months and was selected by the Battalion CSM to serve as the HHC 1SG in combat during the battalions deployment to Iraq. In Iraq I served as the Forward Operating Base SYKES in Telafar, Iraq.

My military education includes; Commandants List, Advance Noncommissioned Officers  Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, 1SG Course, Basic Airborne School, Jumpmaster school, Pathfinder school, Air Assault school, Sniper school, Combat Lifesaver school, Jungle Environmental school in Subic Bay, Philippines, and the Instructor Trainer Course. I have also completed an associate’s degree through Troy State University.

My awards include; Bronze Star First Award, the Meritorious Medal 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 2, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, British Parachutist Badge, Expeditionary Medal, and the United Nations Medal.  I was also inducted into the Prestigious Sergeant Morales and Audie Murphy Clubs and awarded the Red Aubrey Newman Award. I was also submitted as a candidate for the Army Times Soldier of the Year.

I am married to Jodi Larsen of Portland, OR and I have three children; Ashley age 17, Amanda age 16, and Austin age 12.

Phone: 503-943-8062

Email: Larsen@up.edu

SFC Jose Fabre

Military Science Instructor

Experience: SFC Fabre enlisted in the Army on 28 Aug 1986 and attended OSUT at FT Benning, GA. His subsequent assignments include: MSIII advisor and Training NCO University of Portland, Platoon Sergeant 2/5 IN, 25th ID (L), Senior Small Group Leader NCOA Schofield Barracks, HI, Assistant S-3 2/35 IN, 25th ID (L), Platoon Sergeant 2/35 IN 25th ID (L) Drill Sergeant Leader HHD NCOA, FT Benning, GA, Drill Sergeant 1/19 IN, FT Benning, GA, Squad Leader 1/14 IN, Schofield Barracks, HI, Team leader 1/14 IN, Schofield Barracks, HI, Fire Team Leader 522 MI LRSD, FT Hood, TX.

SFC Fabre’s military education include the Advance Noncommissiond Officers course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers course, primary Leadership development Course, Total Army Instructor Training course, Master fitness Trainer course, Combat Life Savers Training course, Drill Sergeant School, Ranger school, Unit Prevention Leader Training course, Defense Hazard Disposal course (HAZMAT), Air assault school, Airborne school, Equal Opportunity course, Jungle Warfare school.

SFC Fabre graduated from Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago, IL. His civilian education includes 105 semester hours with Central Texas College and is currently enrolled in Central Texas College thru E-Army-U for his final Math course to complete his Associates degree.

SFC Fabres’ home town is Chicago Illinois where he was born and raised. His hobbies include motorcycling, mountain biking, fishing, and spending time with his family. He is married to the former Lysett Hernandez from Chicago, Illinois. They have two sons, Jose L. Fabre JR age 16 and Johnnathon L. Fabre age 15.

Phone: 503-943-8062

Email: fabre@up.edu

Debbie Zable

Human Resource Assistant

Phone: 503-943-8065

Email: zable@up.edu

Mr. Jonathon Tygret

IMO/S4 Supply Technician

Phone: 503-943-8061

Email: tygret@up.edu

Joanne Jeffers

University Secretary

Phone: 503-943-7353

Email: jeffersj@up.edu