ABOUT THE OWNER
A native of Fayetteville, NC, Colonel (Retired) Edna W. Cummings earned her commission as an Army officer through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Appalachian State University (ASU), Boone, NC. Afterward, she embarked on a distinguished 25-year military career in a variety of progressive assignments culminating with senior-level positions at Georgetown University, the Pentagon, and USNORAD/USNORTHCOM. After retiring from the Army, she held management positions for companies wherein she led homeland security and information technology initiatives for federal, state, and local agencies.
Documentary Producer and Marketing Cummings’ efforts as producer and marketing coordinator for the Six Triple Eight documentary reached millions of audiences worldwide. In May 2019 the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom hosted members of the production team on a UK documentary screening tour in May 2019, and a Blue Plaque dedication at the King Edward School, Birmingham, England to mark where the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (Six Triple Eight) lived during WW2. Also in May 2019, the Six Triple Eight living members served as Grand Marshals for the 2019 National Memorial Day Parade, and in October 2019, the Six Triple Eight received the Audi Murphy Award during the nationally televised American Valor Honors, Washington DC.
Community Outreach: Cummings is a lifetime member of the Rocks, Inc and the Military Officers’ Association, the Association of the US Army, Reserve Officers’ Association, and a former member of the ASU Foundation Board of Directors. She also established an ASU Warrior Scholarship Fund for veterans and their children.
As a member of the 9th and 10th Cavalry (Horse) Buffalo Soldier Education and Historical 6888th Monument Committee, she helped raise funds for the 6888th Monument at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Since 2019, she has been championing the effort and working with Congressional bill sponsors to enact passage of the bi-partisan legislation, the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal.
In 2020 the Chief Army Reserve appointed Cummings as an Army Reserve Ambassador for the state of Maryland to serve as a bridge to communities at the state and local level. This position is an uncompensated special government employee equivalent to the rank of Major General in the Armed Forces.
Education: Col. Cummings also holds a Master of Strategic Studies, Army War College, Carlisle, PA, and a Master of Science Degree in Foundations of Education, Troy State University, Troy, AL. She is also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS, Quartermaster Officers’ Basic and Advanced Courses, Fort Lee, VA, and the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick Air Force Base, FL. Col. Cummings has certifications in Information Technology Information Library (Foundations), Maryland Circuit Court Training for Mediators, and as an Equal Employment Opportunity Investigator.
Awards and Recognition: She is the recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals (three awards), Army Commendation Awards (four awards), Joint Service Commendation Award, Army Superior Unit, Reserve Forces Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. To recognize Col. Cummings’ contributions to the Army honor unsung WWII unit, the Six Triple Eight, in March 2020, the Army Women’s Foundation inducted Col. Cummings into its Hall of Fame. In December 2020, the Military Officers Association of American recognized Cummings as a Changemaker.