Press Releases

Pictured (L-R): Randy Garver, Kathy Garver, Congressman Kennedy, Jeffrey Burhart, and Jerry Irving.

Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced members serving on the Service Academy Advisory panel for New York’s 26th Congressional District. The panelists met recently to interview and make recommendations to the Congressman for student nominations to the United States service academies. Appointments are made by the President and require a nomination from the Vice President or a member of Congress. 

“Applying to our nation’s service academies requires rigorous determination and a deep sense of duty,” said Congressman Kennedy. “I commend the students for pursuing a path to join generations before them, including members of our Service Academy Advisory Panel, who are committed to sacrifice and excellence in pursuit of service. I thank the panel for their service to this nation, our community, and their continued dedication to the next generation of United States military leaders.”  

Members of Congressman Kennedy’s 2024 Service Academy Advisory Panel include: 

Jerry Irving is a retired U.S. Navy Commander with 26 years of service and a U.S. Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer. Commander Irving has been employed at Moog Inc. for 35 years and serves in the position of Vice President for Human Resources.

Kathy Garver graduated from West Point in 2001 and served as a logistics officer in the United States Army. Garver previously worked as an FBI agent and today serves as Assistant VP for Complex Investigations at M&T Bank. 

Jeffrey Burhart is a 2002 Air Force Academy graduate and former Air Force Captain. Following his service, he earned an MBA from the University of Massachusetts. Today he serves as a Lieutenant with the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  

Randy Garver graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as an infantry officer in the 1st Infantry Division. His deployments include a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and combat operations in Iraq. Garver is a Supervisory Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he investigates child exploitation.

Students applying to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy are required to receive a nomination from a member of Congress. The individual academies make final acceptance decisions. Students enrolled in a U.S. service academy graduate achieving a military officer rank and commit to at least five years of military service.  

A total of 18 students with impressive academic, athletic, and leadership accomplishments are requesting a nomination from Congressman Kennedy. The students are preparing to graduate from high schools across the region including Canisius, North Tonawanda, Williamsville North, Williamsville East, Lewiston Porter, and Sweet Home.  

In October, Kennedy held a Service Academy information night for students, parents, and school counselors. Student applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are due at the end of January. Acceptance announcements are made in the spring. For more information on the service academy process, visit Congressman Kennedy’s website at: https://kennedy.house.gov/services/service-academy-nomination.htm.

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