Colin R. McMillan

Colin Riley McMillan (July 27, 1935 – July 24, 2003) was a United States Assistant Secretary of Defense under President George H. W. Bush during the Gulf War. He was awaiting confirmation as United States Secretary of the Navy in 2003 when he died from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in the head at his New Mexico ranch.^[1][2]

Colin McMillan
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Productions and Logistics
In office March 5, 1990 – December 11, 1992
President	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	Jack Katzen
Succeeded by	Roger Kallock (Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness, 2000)
Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
In office 1971–1982
Personal details
Born	Colin Riley McMillan (1935-07-27)July 27, 1935 Houston, Texas, U.S.
Died	July 24, 2003(2003-07-24) (aged 67) Three Rivers, New Mexico, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BS)
Military service
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1957–1960 (active) 1960–1972 (reserve)
Rank	Major

McMillan was the chairman and CEO of Permian Exploration Corporation, an oil exploration company, the chairman of the First Federal Savings Bank in Roswell, New Mexico, and the founder and CEO of McMillan Production Company. He was appointed in 2001 to be the chairman of the Sallie Mae Corporation by President George W. Bush.

McMillan earned his bachelor's degree in geology from the University of North Carolina in 1957. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1960 and in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1960 to 1972, attaining the rank of major.^[3]

McMillan served in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1971 to 1982. He ran for the United States Senate seat in New Mexico in 1994 but lost to incumbent Democrat Jeff Bingaman by a 54% to 46% margin. In 2000, McMillan was the New Mexico state chairman of George W. Bush's presidential campaign.

McMillan was survived by his wife, Kay, four children, and eight grandchildren.

References

1. Shenon, Philip (August 23, 2003). "Deputy Security Official Leaving Post". Retrieved April 26, 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
2. "Nominee for Navy Secretary Killed Himself, Official Rules". Associated Press. July 26, 2003. Retrieved April 26, 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
3. "Colin McMillan, 67; Oilman, Navy Secretary Nominee". Los Angeles Times. July 25, 2003. Retrieved September 1, 2021.

Political offices
Preceded by Jack Katzen	Assistant Secretary of Defense for Productions and Logistics 1990–1992	Vacant Title next held by Roger Kallock 2000 as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness
Party political offices
Preceded by Bill Valentine	Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from New Mexico (Class 1) 1994	Succeeded by Bill Redmond