From CIA to Marine One: Bush School Honors Outstanding Alumni Who Serve with Distinction
Casey Blackburn ’99, ’03 and Travis Patterson ’98 named 2025 Outstanding Alumni for distinguished leadership in national security, military service, and nonprofit innovation.
The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University honored former students, Mr. Casey Blackburn ’99, ’03 and LtCol (Ret) Travis Patterson ’98, as recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award. Family and friends of the awardees, along with Bush School faculty, staff, and students, gathered for a special ceremony to celebrate the exceptional achievements and enduring impact of these dedicated public servants.
Each year, the Bush School proudly presents the Outstanding Alumni Award to one graduate and one undergraduate degreed alumnus who embody the spirit of public service that President George H.W. Bush championed throughout his life. Honorees are selected based on their distinguished professional achievements and unwavering dedication to serving the public good. The individuals chosen represent the very best of our mission: to develop principled leaders committed to making a difference in our communities, our country, and our world.
Dean of the Bush School, John B. Sherman ’92, addressed the award recipients, stating, “You are the embodiment of the values we hold dear at the Bush School – duty, honor, and service. Whether your path leads you across this great state of Texas, to Washington, D.C., Camp Pendleton, Geneva or even Moscow, your work strengthens our nation. You are safeguarding our freedoms, shaping policy, defending our infrastructure, upholding justice, and exemplifying the spirit of public service. That is the essence of what this award represents. It is a salute to your faithful commitment to country and community. You inspire our students and graduates to serve with integrity and courage, reminding all of us that public service is not just a career – it’s a calling. I want to personally thank you for your steadfast dedication to our country, your sacrifice, and the legacy you are building for future generations of American public servants.”
Casey Blackburn is the graduate award recipient and received his Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University in 1999, followed by his Master of Public Service and Administration from the Bush School in 2003. Upon completing his master’s degree, Blackburn began his national security career at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) working counterterrorism, which propelled him into the executive ranks of the Agency in 2015. After his tenure as the Intelligence Briefer to the President of the United States, Blackburn assumed the role of Dean at the CIA’s Sherman Kent School for Intelligence Analysis, the primary training facility for analysts at the CIA.
Blackburn’s nominator, Alice Yates ’99, Chief Executive Officer of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, shared, “Casey epitomizes what President Bush envisioned when building an intelligence program to train the next generation of leaders.” During his acceptance remarks, Blackburn was quick to recognize the proximity to the 24th anniversary of 9/11, as this award ceremony was held one day after, on September 12th. He shared his experience of being a student at the Bush School during the attacks and how that followed him into the career he leads today. In his concluding remarks, Blackburn stated, “We need men and women of character who believe in public service to defend it and our communities, our state and our nation.” He added, “President Bush’s faith in public service grew from his hope for America and compassion toward all Americans, and the Bush School gives life to those values by cultivating leaders more focused on their communities than themselves or their own ideas. Being recognized as an outstanding alumni suggests those who protect and sustain President Bush’s vision believe that I have, in some small way, returned the investment he and the school made in me more than 20 years ago. It is humbling, and I feel honored – as I always have – to be a part of 41’s legacy.”
LtCol (Ret) Travis Patterson was named this year’s undergraduate award recipient. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1994 while attending Texas A&M University, later earning a degree in Political Science and commissioning as a 2ndLt in 2000. Over a 29-year military career, Patterson flew AH-1W and AH-1Z helicopters, deployed five times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror, and had the honor of serving as a pilot for Marine One. Upon his visit to Aggieland to receive his award, he discovered that one of the Marine One helicopters he flew is now on display at the James A. Baker, III Pavilion located near the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. After retiring in 2023, he became CEO of HALO-Flight, Inc., a nonprofit air ambulance service providing lifesaving care to underserved communities across South Texas.
His nominator, Nina Rodriguez ’09, shared this about Patterson’s career, “After 29 years of service and more than 22 of those as a Naval Aviator, Travis accumulated more than 4500 flight hours in eight different aircraft. He was the 2016 recipient of the Order of Daedalians USMC exceptional pilot of the year and the Third Marine Aircraft Aviator of the Year. Travis’ almost three decades of faithful and honorable service reflect positively on him, The Bush School, and Texas A&M University.”
Patterson stated, “I’m honored to have been selected as a 2025 Bush School of Government & Public Service Undergraduate Outstanding Alumni and very proud to be an alumni of a school carrying on President Bush’s legacy of service and educating the next generation of public servants in the military, government and non-profit sectors. This award has helped me highlight the life-saving service that HALO-Flight provides to more than 1300 patients each year. On a personal note, as a proud Aggie and Bush School alumni, it was a great moment for me to be recognized for my military service, non-profit leadership, and dedication to protecting our country.”
Both recipients reflected on the honor of receiving this award by emphasizing the value of pursuing work that brings joy while serving one’s community and country. Their words echo the Bush School’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its dedication to honoring the legacy of President Bush. Through their lives of selfless service, Blackburn and Patterson exemplify the enduring effect of principled leadership – demonstrating that public service remains one of the highest callings of citizenship.
