Books will be available for purchase at the Gala.

Lieutenant Colonel West believes it will be principled

constitutional conservative policies, not politics, which

secures a sound economic future for Americans – with

growth, opportunity and returning the promise of the

American dream for this generation and those to come.

He is the third of four generations of military servicemen in

his family. During his 22-year career in the United States

Army, Lt. Colonel West served in several combat zones and

received many honors including a Bronze Star, three

Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation

Medals, one with Valor device, and a Valorous Unit Award.

In 1993 he was named the US Army ROTC Instructor of the

Year.

In November of 2010, Lt. Col. West was elected to the United States Congress, representing

Florida’s 22nd District. As a member of the 112 th Congress, he sat on the Small Business and

Armed Services Committees and was instrumental in passage of the 2011 and 2012 National

Defense Authorization Acts.

Lt. Col. West is a Fox News Contributor, Senior Fellow at the Media Research Center and

contributing columnist for Townhall.com.  He is author of Guardian of the Republic: An

American Ronin’s Journey to Family, Faith and Freedom and Hold Texas, Hold the Nation:

Victory or Death.  His latest work can be found on www.theoldschoolpatriot.com

Lt. Col. West is the former Director of the Booker T. Washington initiative for the Texas Public

Policy Foundation and former Executive Director of the National Center for Policy Analysis in

Dallas, TX.  He also served on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission appointed by Texas Lt.

Gov. Dan Patrick from 2016 - 2017.

Lt. Col. West holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee as well as two master’s

degrees, one from Kansas State University and another from the US Army Command and

General Staff Officers College.  West is an inductee into the University of Tennessee Army

ROTC Hall of Fame.

He is an avid distance runner, a Master SCUBA diver, a motorcyclist, and in his spare time he

enjoys cheering his beloved Tennessee Volunteers. 

Lt. Col. West is a legacy life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, life member of the

American Legion, life member of the Association of the United States Army and the Society of

the First Infantry Division and Patriot Life Member (Benefactor). 

Lt. Col. West is a Board of Directors member of the National Rifle Association and a Board of

Advisors member of Amegy Bank, Dallas Region. He is married to Dr. Angela Graham-West, a

financial adviser, and they have two daughters, Aubrey, who recently graduated Physician’s

Assistant school in West Virginia and youngest daughter Austen who will graduate with a

bachelor’s degree in August.

 With a Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Communication from Dallas Baptist  University, Jennifer has had years of experience as a Host,  Spokesperson, Commercial Actress, MC for live events and  Banquet/Fundraisers. While she pursues music, these opportunities  continue to grow as well! 

 Jennifer has grown up in a military family. Her father went to West  Point (Class of ’67); and he served in the Army during the Vietnam War.  She has always had a huge love for our Country, as well as our Military. 

For more about Jennifer check out her website @ http://jennifernickerson.com/

Barrett Phillips is a talented local musician and graduated from Wylie High School and has a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Leadership.  His talents are many including leading role as "Shrek" in his high school play, and roles in "Beauty and the Beast", "Six Degrees of Separation", "The Crazy 80's Prom", "The Promise" and "Sweeney Todd".  Barrett also leads worship services in the Invincible Church in Wylie, and coaches at Invincible Jiu-Jitsu of Wylie.  We are extremely pleased to have Barrett Phillips entertain again this year at our 2nd Annual Murphy Veterans Tribute Gala.  Barrett is available for public events, his booking email is BarrettPhillipsMusic@gmail.com