Retired U.S. Air Force General Robin Rand has been named the Chief Executive Officer of the Gary Sinise Foundation, replacing Sinise, the organization announced Monday.

"Robin is a tremendous leader and, after 40 years of service to our country, we are honored by his passionate commitment to continue to serve by bringing his leadership skills to support the next stages of our growth, and helping us to carry on the Gary Sinise Foundation's mission to honor the needs of our defenders and their families well into the future,” Sinise said in the release.

The Gary Sinise Foundation, founded by Sinise in 2011, supports veterans, first responders, and their families.

The actor, famous for his role as Lt. Dan in “Forrest Gump,” enlisted Rand because of his “deep understanding of the needs of the military and veterans community and his passionate desire to give back.”

The pair met in South Korea in 2004 during one of Sinise’s tour stops with his band, the Lt. Dan Band, named after Sinise’s character in Forrest Gump and created to tour military bases, perform concerts and lift spirits.

Judith Otter, who served as executive director of the foundation since 2011, moves into the chief operating officer role.

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