MESA, AZ, October 07, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Carl B. Forkner has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Forkner has established a distinguished career marked by leadership in the military, veteran advocacy and consulting roles. In 2025, he assumed the positions of Adjutant, Chief Executive Officer and chapter service officer for the Department of Arizona with Disabled American Veterans. In these capacities, he serves at the Veterans Administration Southeast Clinic in Gilbert, assisting patients with claims, managing statewide correspondence and administrative duties, monitoring activities across 15 chapters, and coordinating with three Veterans Administration hospitals throughout Arizona. Since 2018, he has also served as chapter service officer for Disabled American Veterans, providing direct support to veterans navigating benefits and resources.

From 2023 to 2025, Dr. Forkner held the role of junior vice commander for the Department of Arizona with Disabled American Veterans. Between 2022 and 2025, he was commander of Chapter 8 in Arizona, where he led local initiatives supporting disabled veterans. His earlier tenure as Northern District Commander for the Department of Arizona and East Valley Chapter 8 Adjutant from 2018 to 2022 further solidified his reputation as a dedicated advocate within the veteran community.

Dr. Forkner's expertise extends into consulting and training. Since 2014, he has been chief consultant at Success! Consulting, offering strategic guidance to organizations and individuals. He served as veterans disability consultant for Third Bridge Group Limited from 2022 to 2024 and as research psychologist at Vitanya Brain Performance Centers from 2019 to 2022. His work as senior consultant for Ludwig Otto Associates, a division of Franklin Global Services, spanned from 2013 to 2020.

His corporate experience includes serving as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Training at Dynamic Worldwide Training Consultants from 2016 to 2018, following roles as director of training and development from 2015 to 2016 and director of marketing and special projects from 2014 to 2016. Earlier in his career, Dr. Forkner worked as a high school special education teacher from 1980 to 1983 and spent five years as a professional bowler with the Professional Bowlers Association.

Dr. Forkner's military service is a cornerstone of his professional legacy. Commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy in 1983, he served until 2011 in roles that included commander and department head on an aircraft carrier during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. A pivotal moment occurred on September 11, 2001, when he was aboard his aircraft carrier off the coast of India en route to the Persian Gulf. By October 7 that year, he stood on the carrier's bridge with fellow senior officers witnessing cruisers and destroyers launch the first missiles into Afghanistan; hours later, he directed the first wave of strike fighters into combat operations.

Throughout his naval career, Dr. Forkner has held numerous leadership positions, including assistant professor of international security studies at Air War College from 2006 to 2011, seminar director and curriculum developer for the International Leader Course from 2008 to 2011, director of the Cooperative Culture & Language Education Program from 2007 to 2011, instructor in joint operations at Air Force Culture and Language Center from 2006 to 2011, deputy course director and red team advisor for JLASS Program from 2006 to 2011, vice president operations at Western Air Defense Sector Headquarters from 2002 to 2005, vice president operations aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) from 2000 to 2002, Deputy Director for Naval Matters at the Center for Naval Analyses from 1997 to 2000 and Personnel Resources Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Operations Officer, and Officer in Charge of the Christchurch New Zealand Detachment with Antarctic Development Squadron Six (VXE-6) from 1993 to 1997.

Dr. Forkner is most proud of his achievements during Operation Enduring Freedom where his leadership philosophy—enabling those entrusted to him to grow—resulted in sailors, airmen and Marines under his command being promoted at rates 25% above Navy averages with retention 30% higher than standard norms.

His expertise in veterans affairs and psychology is widely recognized. Dr. Forkner has served as chair of the Mesa Veterans Program with the Mesa Chamber of Commerce since 2022 and veteran service officer for Disabled American Veterans since 2018. He is a life member of Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Officers Association of America, the Navy League of the United States and the American Legion. He previously served as a business development council member for the Tempe Chamber of Commerce from 2017 to 2018 and a military affairs committee member for the Tempe Chamber from 2015 to 2017.

Academically accomplished, Dr. Forkner is pursuing a Doctorate in Psychology with an emphasis on behavioral health leadership at Liberty University, with completion expected in 2025. He earned a Doctorate in Education Administration from the University of Phoenix in Phoenix in 2013, a master's degree in strategic studies from Air University/Air War College, a master's degree in education from Western Illinois University in Macomb in 1983 and a Bachelor of Arts from Monmouth College in Monmouth in 1980.

Dr. Forkner holds numerous certifications, including social/behavioral research investigator and key personnel through CITI Program, ASIST certification from LivingWorks, QPR for veterans through QPR Institute, field advocate credential from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, ambassador and crisis response plan coach designation from Objective Zero Foundation, membership with the American Psychological Association since 2017, certified negotiation associate through NGStudy, military/veteran resource navigator through Arizona Coalition for Military Families and human subjects research certification through Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative Office of Research Education, among others.

Civically engaged, Dr. Forkner has served as corporate secretary, treasurer and board member for Resurrection Street Ministry Incorporated since 2022, chairman of the board for Arizona East Valley Veterans Foundation since 2022, field advocate for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention since 2018, ambassador and crisis response plan coach for Objective Zero Foundation since 2018 and trainer/facilitator champion with Dementia Friends of Arizona since 2017, to highlight a few.

Dr. Forkner's accolades include induction into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2025, the DAV Distinguished Service Award in 2024, runner-up recognition as Disabled Veteran of the Year by Disabled American Veterans in Arizona in 2023, the State of Arizona Disabled Veteran of the Year award in 2022 and the DAV Chapter Eight Disabled Veteran of the Year award in Arizona in 2021, along with numerous awards during his United States Navy service.

Dr. Forkner credits his success to listening more than speaking—focusing on understanding rather than simply replying—and follows Robert Greenleaf's principles outlined in "Servant Leadership," viewing leaders as enablers who help others succeed. He also embraces Sir Richard Branson's philosophy that prioritizing employees ensures organizational success.

Dr. Forkner has contributed professionally as a member and contributing author on Forbes Coaches Council between 2017 and 2019 as well as publishing articles in professional journals. Outside of his professional commitments, he is a father of three and grandfather of two who cherishes time spent with family. He also enjoys bowling, swimming and watching movies in his leisure time.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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