About Us
Marine Military Academy Alumni Association (MMAAA) supports the education of our future leaders – an education rooted in FAITH and SERVICE and steeped in the Corps’ ethos of HONOR, COURAGE and COMMITMENT. MMAAA is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to supporting the growth and success of the Marine Military Academy (MMA).
OUR MISSION is to support the Marine Military Academy and her Alumni through programs that inspire a lifelong sense of brotherhood, encourage the highest levels of professional development, and foster a generous spirit in support of our brothers and our Alma Mater.
We will provide scholarships to prospective students, enhance funding for recruitment of exceptional staff and faculty, enrich academic programs and develop non-academic programs that offer students a global perspective on becoming value-driven servant leaders.
OUR VISION is to inspire and develop young men into servant leaders by enhancing programs and providing financial support to qualified candidates to attend the Marine Military Academy. The Association’s goals align with the Academy’s – graduating young men who are grounded in the ethos and traditions of the United States Marine Corps. Integrity, discipline, faith, determination, and principle-driven leadership are at the core of all we do.
Mission Statement
The Marine Military Academy Alumni Association (MMAAA) supports the Marine Military Academy and her Alumni through programs that inspire a lifelong sense of brotherhood, encourage the highest levels of professional development, and foster a generous spirit in support of our brothers and our Alma Mater.
Our Story
The Marine Military Academy was born from the vision of USMC Captain Bill Gary (Ret.), who sought to create an institution rooted in Marine Corps values. In 1965, with support from Gunnery Sergeant John S. Allerton and General E.A. Pollock, MMA opened its doors in Harlingen, Texas.Since then, MMA has become a premier college preparatory school that instills discipline, integrity, and pride in its cadets while preparing them for success in life.
Why We Exist
The Marine Corps ethos—grit, discipline, Semper Fidelis—forms the foundation of MMA’s educational philosophy. From academics to athletics to military training programs like JROTC, every aspect of MMA fosters independent thinking and teamwork.Today, MMA serves over 200 cadets from grades 7 through post-graduate levels. With dual-enrollment opportunities through Tarleton State University and recognition as a Naval Honor School by MCJROTC standards, MMA continues to excel academically while producing servant leaders who embody excellence.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Mark McCaleb President
Class of '84
Mark McCaleb graduated from MMA in 1984 and grew up in Weslaco, Texas. Alongside his wife Carla, Mark owns and operates McCaleb Funeral Home and Sacred Park Cemetery & Crematory. He has served on various committees for over 12 years, including finance and grounds at the First United Methodist Church. Mark also chairs Aurora House, a nonprofit offering compassionate end-of-life care at no cost.Mark enjoys spending time outdoors with his three sons—Bradley, Riley, and Patrick—and is an avid sports fan who cares for his community.
Jack Beech
Treasurer
Class of '88
Jack Beech is a disciplined entrepreneur and technology executive with a 30+ year track record in internet services, cloud infrastructure, and youth sports leadership.
He first attended the Marine Military Academy in 1985 for summer camp and went on to attend from 1985 to 1987 as a cadet in Charlie Company. In 1993, Jack founded DFW Internet Services, one of the early regional ISPs in Texas. He sold the company in 2004 to MobilePro Corp, a publicly traded telecom firm, where he served as Vice President of Technology and President of the ISP division until 2006.
Tim Parkhurst
(Secretary)
Class of '86
Tim Parkhurst, a native of Overland Park, Kansas, attended MMA for three years,
graduating in 1986. He proudly served on the MMA Military Staff as Drill Instructor for
Echo Company during the 2016-17 academic year. Tim joined the Marine Corps while
still a cadet at MMA and served in a variety of assignments and leadership roles as a
Field Radio Operator, Infantry Assaultman, Scout Sniper and Parachute Rigger. He
retired after more than 25 years in the United States Marine Corps, having served in all
four Marine divisions with combat deployments to Panama, Desert Storm, Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Richard Rodriguez (Director)
Class of '88
Lt. Col. Richard S. Rodriguez (USMCR Ret.) serves as Commandant of Cadets at MMA. A Harlingen native and MMA graduate (Class of 1985), he boasts a distinguished career in both military service and federal law enforcement with the DEA. Lt. Col. Rodriguez has served in Iraq and Afghanistan during his Marine Corps Reserve tenure, retiring after 28 years of service in 2019.In addition to his military achievements, Rodriguez has contributed significantly to education as a Senior Military Instructor in JROTC programs before rejoining MMA in 2023.
Andrew Ramon
(Director)
Class of '87
Andrew G. Ramon is a native of San Antonio, Texas. He attended the Marine Military Academy
(Charlie Company) for four years, graduating in 1987. Andrew received an appointment to the
United States Naval Academy and attended as a Midshipman for two years. He felt called to pursue
another path and returned to Texas to complete his undergraduate studies at St. Mary’s University.
Following that, he was accepted to St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio and graduated with his
Juris Doctorate in 1993.
Brent Baresh
(Director)
Class of '88
Brent Baresh started his time at the Marine Military Academy as a 7th grader in 1979. He
did so well at MMA that, with the help of his coach and teacher Mr. Holbert, he was able to
skip a grade. Because of an ailing family member, Brent had to return home in 1981.
Through some very difficult times, Brent considers his time at MMA as his formative years.
After his mother’s death, he had another opportunity to return to MMA, but he and his
brother chose to stay at home with family rather than continue at MMA.