Our sixteenth recipient, (Captain) Lawrence W. Ault graduated from Harvard Business School in 2018 with an MBA.  As a lieutenant, “Ward” served with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines in Camp Pendleton, CA, as a rifle platoon commander and deployed to Garmsir District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Here he conducted counterinsurgency combat operations focused on local security, economic reconstruction, governance reform, and development of the Afghan National Security Forces. Ward briefly worked as a company executive officer after his deployment.  Shortly after moving into this role, the Commanding General of 1st Marine Division (Forward) selected him to serve as his aide-de-camp, and he returned to Afghanistan.  While deployed, he was competitively selected by the Commandant’s Career Level Education Board to attend in-resident professional education.  He moved to Fort Benning, GA, to attend the Maneuver Captains Career Course (MCCC).  After graduation, Ward returned to Camp Pendleton and joined the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company where he served as a force reconnaissance platoon commander and company executive officer.  He graduated with honors from the Basic Officer Course, Maneuver Captains Career Course, Basic Reconnaissance Course and graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 2008.  Ward also received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), and Combat Action Ribbon.  Ward is now a Regional CEO with Lyra Technology Group.  He resides in Austin, TX, with his wife Dina, and three children.