Fellows Opening Reception with MG Matthew McFarlane

*This event is only open to 2024-2025 Fellows.

The World Affairs Council Fellows Program offers a unique professional development opportunity to a small group of greater Seattle's business and community leaders. The Fellows convene monthly for breakfast discussions with carefully selected high-caliber international experts who offer unparalleled insight into current global issues, in addition to meeting throughout the year for additional Council events and dedicated networking opportunities.

About Our Speaker

Major General Matthew W. McFarlane is the DeputyCommanding General of First Corps. He hails from Burke, VA, and was a distinguished military graduate at James Madison University, where he was commissioned as an Infantry officer in 1992.

Major General McFarlane served in Ranger, Airborne, and Mechanized Infantry formations, with extensive experience in both conventional and special operations. He has commanded at the Company through Division level while serving at a variety of duty stations in the continental United States, Italy, Alaska, and Hawaii. His operational and combat experience includes leading Soldiers in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and Syria. As a
General Officer, Major General McFarlane served as the Deputy
Commanding General (Operations) in the 82d Airborne Division, the Senior Military Assistant for the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO, the Deputy Commanding General for the U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), and, most recently, as the Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.

In July 2024, Major General McFarlane was confirmed by the US Senate for appointment to the rank of Lieutenant General and assignment as the Commanding General, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Major General McFarlane holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from James Madison University and Master’s Degrees in Policy Management from Georgetown University, Management from Webster University, and National Security and Strategic Studies from the National War College. He also completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Fellows Program, Seminar XXI.

Major General McFarlane’s awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, three Bronze Star Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge with star, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab. Major General McFarlane is also a Distinguished Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and the 503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne).

Major General McFarlane is married and has two grown sons.