EP101: Embracing Legacy and Leadership

In this episode of the WPAOG Podcast, we sit down with LTC (R) Pete Selleck ’77, 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award recipient, to explore his extraordinary journey from West Point to global business leadership. With a legacy rooted in service, Selleck shares how his cadet experience shaped his values, influenced his leadership approach, and fostered lifelong connections. From commanding troops to mentoring the next generation, he reflects on the enduring power of purpose and community.

Selleck is a monumental example of distinguished service to America across the private, governmental, and non-profit sectors. Commissioned into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he served in the 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, before transitioning to the U.S. Army Reserve. He then began an extraordinary 35-year career at Michelin, culminating in his role as chairman and president of Michelin North America. His efforts were critical in supporting the Department of Defense during the Iraq War, supplying combat-grade tires for the MRAP vehicle—a contribution that saved countless lives. Beyond his corporate achievements, Selleck has dedicated decades to supporting West Point through admissions, alumni leadership, endowments, and community service. As LTG (R) Walter Ulmer ’52 said, “Few graduates in our history have amassed such a record of broad consequential achievement.”

Listeners will come away with timeless leadership lessons on humility, accountability, and mission-driven work—from building elite teams to aligning personal purpose with organizational impact. This episode is essential listening for current and future leaders in military, corporate, and non-profit spheres alike.

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Key Quote:

“ I knew that West Point really put an emphasis on leading people, and that turned out to be exactly right, and the leadership experience as a cadet, the things that you do as a young officer, as a platoon leader, as a company commander, those things are unparalleled. The type of responsibility you get as a 20-year-old is just amazing, and that just played out big time as I went into my Michelin career that it was just, you become a very natural leader because you do it. You can't learn leadership in a book. You have to actually do it. You've gotta make mistakes. You've gotta see successes, you've gotta watch other people. And that really played a huge role in my subsequent life after the Army. But I will say that being a company commander in the Army was probably the most challenging leadership job that I ever had. It was big, big responsibility.” 

-LTC (R) Clyde A.“Pete” Selleck III, class of 1977

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Episode Timestamps:

• (00:21) Continuing the  Family Legacy at West Point
• (04:53) Leadership Lessons from West Point to Michelin
• (09:38) Defining Service to the Nation
• (12:52) The  50-Year Affiliation Program and Legacy
• (26:31) Lending Support to the West Point Admissions
• (30:40) Advice for Future Leaders

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Links:

2025 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients

Connect with Pete

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