John Batiste

John Batiste retired from active duty in November 2005 after more than 31 years of commissioned service. His final position in the Army was commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division, the “Big Red One”, from August 2002-June 2005. During this three year period, the division conducted peace enforcement operations in Kosovo and combat operations in Iraq.

A 1974 graduate of the United States Military Academy, John earned a master’s degree in financial management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California (1981). He graduated from the Army War College (1994), the Command and General Staff College (1986), and the Infantry Officer Advanced and Basic Courses (1975 and 1979, respectively). He was a Ranger School honor graduate.

After retirement from the Army, John shifted his attention to the for-profit corporate world and served as the president and CEO of Klein Steel Service Inc from 2005 to 2013, and the president and CEO of Buffalo Armory LLC from 2011 to the present. He is a past member of the executive committee and board of directors of the Metals Service Center Institute and the executive committee of Raffles Insurance Ltd. In support of veterans and their families, he serves as president of Stand for the Troops, is a past board member of the Rochester-based Veterans Outreach Center, is a past and founding president of the Rochester Regional Veterans Business Council, and is a member of the board of advisers of the First Division Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton, Illinois.

John and his wife Michelle live in Brighton, New York and have five children and seven grandchildren.