UNIONDALE, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 2025 / Marquis Who's Who honors Carl B. Forkner, PhD, for his lifelong service to the nation's veterans and his leadership within the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of Arizona. With decades of experience in military service, organizational leadership and behavioral health, Dr. Forkner continues to shape policies and programs that improve veterans' quality of life across the state and beyond.

About Dr. Carl B. Forkner

Dr. Forkner serves as adjutant, chief executive officer and chapter service officer for the Department of Arizona with Disabled American Veterans, operating out of the Veterans Affairs Southeast Clinic in Gilbert. He oversees claims processing, manages statewide administrative operations and coordinates communication among 15 chapters and three Veterans Affairs hospitals throughout Arizona. His leadership reflects a balance of compassion, discipline and innovation, qualities rooted in his early years of military service.

Beginning with service as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, Dr. Forkner's career started in 1983. On his first day of training, he joined 61 recruits under the supervision of a Marine Corps drill instructor. He quickly learned the value of perseverance and mental toughness. Only 18 of those recruits completed the program. Dr. Forkner went on to serve as a commander, department head and operations leader aboard aircraft carriers, including the USS Carl Vinson, during Operation Enduring Freedom. His military journey included teaching, leadership development and cultural training at the Air War College, as well as directing language and cooperative education programs for service members.

Following his military service, Dr. Forkner transitioned to veteran advocacy and consulting. Since 2018, he has helped thousands of veterans navigate benefits and claims through his work with DAV. He also serves as chair of the Arizona East Valley Veterans Foundation and holds leadership roles with several nonprofit organizations dedicated to mental health and veteran wellness. In recent years, he has played an essential role in modernizing how veterans' claims are processed, moving to a fully electronic system that improves efficiency and accessibility for veterans statewide.

Success Through Leadership

Dr. Forkner's leadership philosophy centers on service and empathy. He believes that effective leaders must focus on those entrusted to their care, emphasizing that leadership is never about self but about enabling others to succeed. He often references Sir Richard Branson's leadership principle that prioritizing employees, or, in his case, team members and volunteers, ensures that the organization thrives. This servant-leadership mindset has guided his success in both the Navy and his civilian career.

Academically, Dr. Forkner holds a Doctor of Philosophy in education administration from the University of Phoenix, a master's degree in strategic studies from the Air War College, another master's in education from Western Illinois University and a bachelor's degree from Monmouth College. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in psychology with a focus on behavioral health leadership at Liberty University.

In his personal life, Dr. Forkner is a father of three and grandfather of two. He enjoys bowling, swimming and spending time with family in his free time, taking park in both reflection and recreation.

Dr. Forkner's achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2025, the DAV Distinguished Service Award in 2024 and the State of Arizona Disabled Veteran of the Year Award in 2022. His legacy continues to grow through his advocacy for veterans, his commitment to modernizing services and his dedication to servant leadership that uplifts every community he serves.

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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SOURCE: Marquis Who's Who