This week, the American Battle Monuments Commission welcomed three new commissioners to service, appointed by President Donald J. Trump: Christopher LaCivita, Kelly J. Roberts, and Brooks Tucker. They join ABMC Chairman Michael X. Garrett and Commissioner Florent “Flo” Groberg.

ABMC’s first commissioner, General of the Armies John J. Pershing, was appointed to the agency upon its formation in 1923. Ever since, subsequent commissioners have served to steward the legacy of the American men and women who served and sacrificed in the name of freedom during conflicts overseas. Per ABMC’s authorizing legislation (36 U.S.C., Chapter 21), the President may appoint up to 11 commissioners, in addition to the agency secretary.

Christopher LaCivita, Commissioner

Christopher LaCivita is an enlisted U.S. Marine Corps veteran, who was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received while serving in the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Following his enlistment, he served as a Congressional Aide on Capitol Hill.

He is a political consultant and campaign strategist, having served as senior advisor and co-manager for President Donald J. Trump’s 2024 campaign, as well as Chief of Staff of the Republican National Committee. He has twice served as the National Political director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and held the role of Executive Director of the Republican party of Virginia.

LaCivita is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, having earned a degree in political science.

Kelly J. Roberts, Commissioner

Kelly J. Roberts is the Owner and Chairman of the Entrepreneurial Corporate Group (ECG) and The Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, an award-winning AAA Four Diamond property. Through ECG, the Roberts family has built one of the largest privately held apartment portfolios in the United States. Roberts is also President of KRR Enterprises and Founder of PALLAS Skincare, launched as an extension of the nationally recognized Kelly’s Spa.

Roberts has received national honors for historic preservation, including the Steward of History and Historic Preservation Award and Hoteliers of the Year. She curates a museum-caliber art collection featuring classical and contemporary masters, many displayed at the Mission Inn. Her leadership has been featured in Modern Luxury and Inland Empire Magazine, and she was named Women Connect Leader of the Year.

A dedicated philanthropist, Roberts is a Life Associate and board member at Pepperdine University, where she and her husband endowed the law school’s first Dean’s Chair. She also serves on the City of Hope Orange County President’s Cabinet and was a trustee emerita of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

She holds a degree in political science from the University of Southern California and a law degree from Pepperdine University.

Brooks D. Tucker, Commissioner

The Honorable Brooks D. Tucker is a graduate of the University of Maryland, and was commissioned as a U.S. Marine Corps officer in 1987. He served as an infantry officer in the Second Marine Division with deployments to the Western Pacific and Southwest Asia during the Gulf War. After transitioning from active duty in 1992, he pursued a 13-year career in financial services while continuing his military service in the Marine Corps Reserves, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and deployed to Mali, Georgia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

From 2010 to 2015, Tucker served as a senior Senate staffer on national security policy. He joined the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2017 as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs and was later appointed Chief of Staff, serving until 2021. He currently serves on the board of Our Community Salutes, a nonprofit honoring high school enlistees.