Dr. George L. Conley Jr. was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. In October 1984, he joined the U.S. Navy's Delayed Entry Program and entered boot camp the following June in Great Lakes, Illinois as a Seaman Apprentice (E-2). Over the next 14 years, he steadily rose through the ranks, being promoted to Chief Petty Officer (E-7) in September 1998 and then commissioned as a Chief Warrant Officer in February 2001.
During his distinguished 29-year military career, Dr. Conley was deployed overseas 11 times, including four tours in support of major combat operations such as Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. His exemplary service was recognized with numerous commendations, including six Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, along with various campaign citations and medals.
Dr. Conley proudly served his country until retiring in May 2014 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4.
Dr. Conley has earned an impressive array of academic credentials, including a Doctor of Business Administration, Master's degrees in Education, Management, Business Administration, and Organizational Management, as well as Bachelor's and Associate's degrees in Liberal Arts, Human Resource Management, and Electrical Mechanical Technology.
As the Founder and CEO of the Conley A.C.E. Foundation Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Dr. Conley oversees the provision of career preparation training and educational scholarships to foster youth and low-income students of color who are underrepresented.
Dr. Conley currently serves as a Branch Head at Southwest Regional Maintenance Center. In addition to this role, he is a faculty member at several institutions, including Oxnard College, Southwestern College (where he teaches in the Restorative Justice Program at Donovan State Correctional Facility), Westcliff University, Apollos University, and University of the People.
Dr. Conley also holds leadership positions in professional organizations. He is the president of the San Diego Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Additionally, he is a member of the California Teachers Association (CTA), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA). He also serves on various other boards and committees.