Colonel Ward is a native of Groton, Connecticut and a graduate of the University of Connecticut. He was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program in 1983. He is presently serving as the Chief Financial Officer for U.S. Pacific Command and as the principal financial advisor to the Combatant Commander and staff. He is responsible for programming, budgeting and accounting for an annual operating budget in excess of $200 million. He has previously served in numerous capacities in the Financial Management career field to include: Comptroller Squadron Commander, Air Staff Action Officer, and Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. He was selected as the Air Mobility Command Comptroller of the Year, 1997 and runner-up Air Force wide. Additionally, his squadron was selected as the best Comptroller Squadron in both Air Mobility Command and the Air Force, 1997. His command assignments include: 437th Comptroller Squadron Commander, 48th Mission Support Group Deputy Commander, and 98th Mission Support Group Commander. He is also a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University.