Air & Space Conference 2006 and Technology Exposition
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Maj. Gen. John Alison | Mr. Eric C. Anderson |
Mr. Thomas P.M. Barnett | Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley |
Mr. Christopher Bolkcom | Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady |
Mr. Napoleon Byars | Gen. Kevin P. Chilton |
SMSgt Maria D. Cornelia | Brig Gen Charles R. Davis |
John W. Douglass | Mr. Ric Edelman | Dr. Thomas P. Ehrhard |
Maj. Gen. Frank R. Faykes | Mr. Rex Geveden |
Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc | Dr. Rebecca Grant | Dr. Max L. Gross |
Dr. Richard P. Hallion | Dr. Howard M. Hensel | Dr. Lani Kass |
Dr. Donald M. Kerr | Lt. Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler |
Mary E. Lacey | Don Lopez | Mr. James M. McCoy |
Dr. Anna-Maria McGowan | Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley |
CMSAF Rodney J. McKinley | Gen. Duncan J. McNabb | John D. Moore |
Gen. T. Michael Moseley | Hon. R. James "Jim" Nicholson |
Dr. Robert A. Pape | Michael C. Reynolds |
Lt. Col. Dirk Smith | Capt. Ray "Ike" Thaler |
Dr. Loren B. Thompson | Kenneth R. Timmerman |
Hon. Curt Weldon | Lt. Gen. Donald J. Wetekam | Lt. Gen. Michael Wooley |
Mr. Garrison Wynn |Hon. Michael T. Wynne | Mr. Charles Zimkas
Major General John Alison, USAF, (Ret)
Johnny Alison was a kid from Florida who dreamed of becoming a pilot, and grew up to be one of the best the United States ever produced. But that wasn't his entire story—Alison also traveled secretly with the highest level diplomats in the world, worked closely with the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain, assisted the Soviet Union in organizing their air arm to fight the Luftwaffe, and without orders, set up a critical lend-lease supply to the Middle East. Alison became an ace fighter pilot during his tenure as squadron commander with the 75th Fighter Squadron in China, flying P-40s with the former "Flying Tigers." Following WWII, Alison served as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics in the Truman Administration and as President of the Air Force Association, and rose to the rank of Major General in the Air Force Reserve. Today, he runs his own company and continues to remain active in many pursuits.
Mr. Eric C. Anderson
Eric C. Anderson is the President and CEO of Space Adventures, Ltd. and one of the leading entrepreneurs in the space industry. Since co-founding Space Adventures in 1998, he has led the world's premier space tourism company through several successful years and has sold more than $120 million in spaceflights. As an outspoken advocate of commercial space transportation, private space exploration and space tourism, Anderson's vision is to open the space frontier to all private citizens which will then enable the development of space resources for the benefit of humanity. Current plans call for over $500 million in new projects for Space Adventures, including two global spaceports and the first private voyage to the moon, set to launch in 2009. Previously, Mr. Anderson was the principal and co-founder of Starport.com, a lead engineer for aerospace software firm Analytical Graphics, Inc., and a consultant and researcher with NASA.
Mr. Thomas P.M. Barnett
Thomas P.M. Barnett is an internationally recognized expert and strategic planner in national security affairs. He offers unique and important perspectives on international security, military transformation and globalization issues, and has been described by U.S. News & World Report as "one of the most important strategic thinkers of our time." Mr. Barnett is the author of the New York Times' bestsellers The Pentagon's New Map: War and Peace in the Twenty-First Century and Blueprint for Action: A Future Worth Creating. He formerly served as a Senior Strategic Researcher and Professor at the U.S. Naval War College and is currently the Senior Managing Director with Enterra Solutions, LLC, and a contributing editor with Esquire Magazine.
Mr. Christopher Bolkcom
Christopher Bolkcom is a specialist in national defense at the Congressional Research Service (CRS), in the Library of Congress. At CRS, he performs non-partisan, objective, research and analysis for Congress. His most recent work includes studies, briefings and reports for Congress on the role of airpower in counterinsurgency operations, protecting commercial aircraft from shoulder-fired missiles, military aviation safety, tactical aviation force modernization, long range bomber modernization, unmanned aerial vehicles, lighter-than-air vehicles, helicopter modernization, suppression of enemy air defenses, Air Force aerial refueling, strategic airlift modernization and Air Force Transformation. Mr. Bolkcom has testified numerous times before the House Armed Services Committee, the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Commerce Committee, and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. He also served as a government advisor on the 2001 Defense Science Board Summer Study on Precision Targeting. He has a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Minnesota, and an M.A. in International Affairs from the American University. He has also completed a year of PhD coursework in Public Administration at the University of Southern California.
Lieutenant General John A. Bradley
Lieutenant General John A. Bradley is Chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and Commander, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. As Chief of Air Force Reserve, he serves as principal adviser on Reserve matters to the Air Force Chief of Staff. As Commander of Air Force Reserve Command, he has full responsibility for the supervision of all U.S. Air Force Reserve units around the world. Before assuming his current position, General Bradley was Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Reserve Matters. The general is a command pilot with more than 6,800 flying hours, including 337 combat missions in Vietnam.
Lieutenant General Roger A. Brady
Lieutenant General Roger A. Brady is Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He serves as the senior Air Force officer responsible for comprehensive plans and policies covering all life cycles of military and civilian personnel management, which includes military and civilian end strength management, education and training, and compensation and resource allocation. Prior to assuming his current position, General Brady served as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Force Development. The general is a command pilot with more than 2,600 hours in the C-130, F-16, KC-135, T-1, T-37 and T-38.
Mr. Napoleon Byars
Napoleon Byars is an Assistant Professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He joined the School in July 2005. Previously he was the director of policy and communications for the Air Force Association (AFA) in Arlington, Va. He oversaw all facets of AFA communications including media relations, marketing, Web site operations, planning for national conferences and symposia, and the writing of national security policy papers. Prior to joining AFA, Byars was president of Creative Communications Works (CCW), a public relations consulting company in Fairfax, Va. Before entering the private sector, Byars was a lieutenant colonel and public affairs officer in the United States Air Force. He has a broad background in government communications that includes serving as public affairs officer to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon and deputy publisher for Pacific Stars and Stripes daily newspaper in Tokyo.
General Kevin P. Chilton
General Kevin P. Chilton is Commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He is responsible for the development, acquisition and operation of the Air Force's space and missile systems. The command oversees a global network of satellite command and control, communications, missile warning and launch facilities, and ensures the combat readiness of America's intercontinental ballistic missile force. From 1988 to 1996, he was an astronaut for NASA and is a veteran of three space shuttle missions, logging over 704 hours in space. General Chilton is the first astronaut to achieve 4-star rank from any military service.
SMSgt (Chief Select) Maria D. Cornelia
SMSgt (Chief Select) Maria D. Cornelia is Superintendent, Logistics Support and Security Forces Assignments, Air Force Personnel Center. She directs assignments for over 70,000 enlisted personnel worldwide in 32 AFSCs within Supply, Fuels, Transportation, Civil Engineer, Security Forces, Contracting and Logistics. In 2001, SMSgt Cornelia was selected as one of the Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year. At the time of her selection, she was serving as a Basic Military Training Instructor.
Brigadier General Charles R. Davis
Brigadier General Charles R. Davis is the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Program Office in Arlington, VA. The Joint Strike Fighter Program Office is the Department of Defense's agency responsible for developing and acquiring the F-35A/B/C, the next generation strike aircraft weapon systems for the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and many allied nations. Prior to joining the F-35 Program, General Davis commanded the 412th Test Wing at the Air Force Flight Test Center. He is an experimental test pilot with 3,300 flying hours in more than 35 types of aircraft. General Davis was commissioned in 1979 from the U. S. Air Force Academy as a distinguished graduate with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. His assignments include flying duties in the T-38, F-15, A-7, F-117A and F-16. General Davis has also served on the Air Staff under the Director of Air Force Test and Evaluation. He has led divisions in both the F-16 and F-15 program offices. He served as director of the F-15 and Flight Training System Program Offices, and was the Joint Primary Aircraft Training (T-6A) System Program Director. General Davis has also commanded the 410th Flight Test Squadron and F-117A Combined Test Force.
John W. Douglass
John W. Douglass is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), which represents the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, space systems, aircraft engines, material, and related components, equipment services, and information technology. Mr. Douglass became the seventh full-time chief executive of the association in 1998. Before that he served for nearly three years as assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition of defense systems for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. A nationally recognized expert in systems acquisition, Mr. Douglass has extensive acquisition experience in Congress, the Defense Department, and the executive branch as a policy authority, contracting officer, engineering officer, test and evaluation officer, program control officer, and research director.
Ric Edelman
Ric Edelman is recognized as a premier educator and speaker on financial planning strategies. He has authored numerous books on the subject, including the New York Times best-sellers, The Truth About Money and Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth. Ric's firm, Edelman Financial Services Inc., was recognized three times by Inc. magazine as the fastest-growing privately-held financial planning firm in the country and was ranked by Bloomberg as the fifth largest independent financial planning and investment firm in the nation. Ric hosts two weekly radio and television shows and writes syndicated news columns for Newspaper Enterprise Association and AARP's magazine.
Thomas P. Ehrhard, Ph.D.
Thomas Ehrhard is a Senior Defense Analyst at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, an independent policy research institute established to promote innovative thinking about defense planning and investment strategies for the 21st century. His areas of specialization include aerospace force structure, joint military operational concepts, the rise of China, interagency integration, innovation in the U.S. military and the strategic implications of emerging technologies. He retired from the United States Air Force in June 2006 at the rank of colonel, and is a graduate of the School of Advanced Airpower Studies (SAAS), the Air Force's premier school for air and space power strategists. After SAAS, Ehrhard earned a Ph.D. in international relations at Johns Hopkins SAIS, studying under noted defense scholar Eliot Cohen.
Major General Frank R. Faykes
Maj. Gen. Frank R. Faykes is Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He is responsible for planning and directing Air Force budget formulations annually that total more than $119 billion. He leads a staff of civilian and military financial managers that develop, integrate and defend Air Force resource requests to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Office of Management and Budget and Congress. General Faykes was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Virginia Tech and entered active duty in 1976. He has served in comptroller and command positions at all management levels—wing, major command and Air Force headquarters.
Brigadier General Frank Gorenc
Brig Gen Frank Gorenc is the Director of Operational Plans and Joint Matters, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC. He is responsible for developing and integrating operational strategies, organization concepts, policies and plans supporting aerospace power employment. The General's six divisions orchestrate Air Force participation in joint and regional war and mobilization planning communities, as well as operator and warfighter talks with allies and sister services. He oversees the Air Force's concept of operations development as well as its interface with Joint Staff and National Security Council issues. Prior to assuming his current position, he was Commander, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq.
Mr. Rex Geveden
Rex Geveden is the Associate Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In this position, he is responsible for all technical operations of the Agency. He works directly with the Administrator to develop strategy and policy and has direct oversight of all NASA's programs and field centers. Mr. Geveden was formerly the NASA Chief Engineer. In that position he held agency responsibility for engineering policy, assessment, and development; project management policy, assessment, and development, independent program assessment, and execution of the Independent Technical Authority. Mr. Geveden is the former Deputy Director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL, where he was jointly responsible for managing one of NASA's largest field installations, with more than 6,500 civil service and contract employees and an annual budget of $2.3 billion. He joined NASA in 1990. He earned a bachelor's degree in engineering physics and a master's degree in physics from Murray State University in Kentucky, and is also a graduate of the Program Management Course at the Defense Systems Management College in Ft. Belvoir, VA.
Dr. Rebecca Grant
Rebecca Grant is President of IRIS Independent Research, which she founded in 1995. Recent IRIS Independent Research projects include an examination of the "War of 9/11" and how it has transformed America's air and space weaponry, an analysis of air and space power during the second Gulf War, and a study on the F/A-22. She is the author of The B-2 Goes to War (2001) and The Radar Game (1999) as well as several magazine articles on aspects of aerospace power. Dr. Grant is also a fellow of the Eaker Institute of Aerospace Concepts, the public policy and research arm of the Air Force Association. Previously, Grant worked in the operations group of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force as well as for the Secretary of the Air Force.
Dr. Max L. Gross
Dr. Max L. Gross retired from the Federal Government in December 2005. Prior to his retirement, he was Dean of the School of Intelligence Studies at the Joint Military Intelligence College for eleven years. Before that, he was Professor of Intelligence (Middle East) at the same institution. He also served as an Intelligence Research Specialist in the Middle East Branch of DIA's Directorate of Research. Dr. Gross served as a military intelligence officer in the United States Air Force, with three consecutive overseas assignments in Turkey, West Germany and South Vietnam. Dr. Gross is the author of a number of articles on Lebanon, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Syria and Islam. In addition to his work at the Joint Military Intelligence College, he also served as adjunct lecturer at George Washington University, teaching courses on Islam, the International Relations of the Middle East, and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Dr. Richard P. Hallion
Dr. Richard P. Hallion is Senior Adviser for Air and Space Issues, Directorate for Security, Counterintelligence and Special Programs Oversight, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, DC. He is responsible for analysis and insight regarding the conceptualization, evolution and utilization of sensitive national technological programs and related subject areas. Dr. Hallion holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Maryland. He has broad experience in science and technology museum development, research and management analysis, and has served as a consultant to various professional organizations. He has flown as a mission observer in a range of military and civilian fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. Dr. Hallion is the author and editor of numerous books relating to aerospace technology and military operations, as well as articles and essays for a variety of professional journals. He also teaches and lectures widely.
Dr. Howard M. Hensel
Dr. Howard M. Hensel has been a Professor on the faculty of the Air War College since 1986 and currently serves in the Department of Strategy and International Security. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr Hensel has served as the Academic Director of the Air War College's Electives Program (1997-2001), Director of Strategy (1994-1995), Director of International Security Studies (1990-1992), and Director of Soviet Studies (1988-1990). He received his B.A. degree in history from Texas A&M University in 1968, his M.A. in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia in 1971, and his PhD in government from the University of Virginia in 1976. He is the author of several books, including: The Sword of the Union: Federal Objectives and Strategies During the American Civil War; The USSR and Outer Space: Soviet Media Images of Superpower Space Policy; and The Anatomy of Failure.
Dr. Lani Kass
Dr. Kass is Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, United States Air Force and Director of CSAF's Cyberspace Task Force. Stood up in January 2006, the Task Force's mission is to investigate Cyberspace as a domain in and through which the USAF flies and fights, to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests. Before joining the Air Staff, Dr. Kass was a Professor of Military Strategy and Operations at the National War College, where she served as the Director of the longest core course offered at NWC: Military Thought and the Essence of War. She was also Director, Studies of Warning, Surprise and Deception. Dr. Kass was a key participant in the development of the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, as well as the National Military Strategic Plan for GWOT. She also has authored 2 books and over 20 scholarly articles. Dr. Kass is a member of the Hermes Society--the DCI's Task Force on countering hostile denial and deception--and a frequent guest lecturer at a wide variety of governmental and civic fora. Over 21 years' of government service, she received numerous awards and civilian performance medals, to include the SECDEF's Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the CJCS Joint Meritorious Service award.
Lieutenant General C. Robert "Bob" Kehler
Lt. Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler is Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, NE. General Kehler has held numerous missile crew, instructor, evaluator and key wing-level staff positions. He was also assigned to the Secretary of the Air Force's Office of Legislative Liaison, where he was the point man on Capitol Hill for matters regarding the president's ICBM Modernization Program. As chair of a panel on space superiority and nuclear deterrence, the General managed the $45 billion Air Force space program through the corporate resource allocation process. Most recently, as Director, National Security Space Integration, Office of the Undersecretary of the Air Force, he developed and advocated policy for space operations worldwide.
Dr. Donald M. Kerr
Dr. Donald M. Kerr is Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, which builds and operates the nation's reconnaissance satellites. Prior to this assignment, he served as Deputy Director for CIA Science and Technology and as Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Dr. Kerr has also held several key executive positions in private industry, working at Information Systems Laboratories, Inc., Science Applications International Corporation, and EG&G, Inc. From 1979 to 1985, he was Director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr. Kerr is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has been published frequently on nuclear weapons efforts, national security and arms control, energy technology, and ionospheric research.
Mary E. Lacey
Mary E. Lacey, a self-described "people person," is the lead official supervising the overhaul of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) for the Defense Department's 700,000 civilian employees. An engineer by training, Lacey boasts 31 years as a career Navy civilian employee who has worked on the development of a wide variety of sophisticated weapons systems. Most recently she served as the Technical Director of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, in Washington, DC. In her career she has risen through the civilian personnel system, from a GS-2 intern to a member of the Senior Executive Service.
Don Lopez
Don Lopez is Deputy Director of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. He has always been fascinated with aviation. His earliest memory is of him and his parents standing along a parade route to see Charles Lindbergh, just back from his trans-Atlantic flight. Years later, while Lopez was still in high school, he read about the exploits of the famous Flying Tigers in China and dreamed about becoming a fighter pilot. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Lopez volunteered for the Army Air Corps and in October of 1943, he was assigned to the 75th Fighter Squadron—a descendent of the original Flying Tigers. Lopez's dream had turned into reality as he found himself flying and fighting among the very men about whom he had read earlier. He completed his tour after 101 combat missions in 1945, having scored five air victories.
After the war, Lopez became a test pilot, highly involved in the testing and evaluation of the first generation of jet aircraft in the US Air Force. Lopez was also deeply involved in the Apollo moon missions and Skylab program.
Chief Master Sergeant James M. McCoy
James M. McCoy was the first Strategic Air Command Senior Enlisted Advisor and the sixth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. He was honored by the Air Force Association in 1974 as one of the Twelve Outstanding Airmen. Over the years he served in numerous AFA volunteer leadership positions, to include his election as AFA's national president in 1992. After two one-year terms as president, he became the association's chairman of the board in 1994. After retiring from the Air Force, he joined Mutual of Omaha and later became vice president and director of Military sales.
Anna-Maria McGowan
Anna-Maria Rivas McGowan has over 13 years experience in aerospace engineering and technology development and is one of NASA's leaders in smart structures technologies for aerospace vehicles. She is currently leading two efforts in NASA Langley's Aeronautics Research Directorate. She serves as the NASA lead on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Morphing Aircraft Systems Program which plans to test fly two advanced morphing concepts. She also leads the development of external collaborations in aeronautics at NASA Langley. In 2004, she completed her five-year tenure as the manager of NASA's Morphing Project. This visionary $35 million per year project involved over 90 researchers in developing and assessing advanced technologies to enable efficient, multi-point, adaptability (morphing) in future flight vehicles. Ms. McGowan has a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University and an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Old Dominion University.
Lieutenant General Craig McKinley
The Air National Guard is in the forefront of our military's efforts to become a smaller yet more capable Total Force, ready to face the challenges of the 21st Century. As we organize ourselves for today's asymmetrical threats, in constrained budget environments, with the need to modernize equipment, we will capitalize on the strengths of our militia heritage. Today we are providing combat, combat support, mobility, logistics, technical and administrative skills in day-to-day mission support across the planet. In addition our continuing deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism, the Air National Guard maintains the ability to "surge" within a mission area to respond to a local or national emergency. Last year's effort in support of Hurricane relief to Americans in our Gulf States was the largest peace-time airlift ever on the continental United States. The 106,800 men and women of the ANG are representing our nation on every continent, in every theater and in every operation; they are woven into the fabric of America, part of their community, counted on in times of crisis — Guarding America and Defending Freedom.
Chief Master Sergeant Rodney J. McKinley
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. He serves as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force. Chief McKinley is the 15th chief master sergeant appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer position. Chief McKinley originally entered the Air Force in 1974, took a break in service in 1977, and re-entered the Air Force in 1982. His background includes various duties in medical and aircraft maintenance, and as a first sergeant and command chief master sergeant at wing, numbered air force and major command levels. The chief served overseas in the Philippines, Italy and Germany, and deployed to Southwest Asia in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Before assuming his current position, he served as Command Chief Master Sergeant, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He was appointed to the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force on June 30, 2006.
General Duncan J. McNabb
General Duncan J. McNabb is Commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Air Mobility Command's mission is to provide rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America's armed forces. The command also plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian support at home and around the world. Prior to assuming his current position, the general was Director for Logistics for the Joint Staff. During operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, General McNabb commanded the 41st Military Airlift Squadron, which earned Military Airlift Command's Airlift Squadron of the Year in 1990. He has held command and staff positions at squadron, wing, major command and Department of Defense levels.
John D. Moore
John D. Moore is a Professor of Psychology and Health Sciences at American Military University (AMU), part of the American Public University System. Moore is an experienced speaker and writer. He is a licensed professional counselor in Illinois and counsels many active-duty military families. He is the author of the successful book, Confusing Love with Obsession: When You Can't Stop Controlling Your Partner and the Relationship. He has written numerous mental and physical health articles, many of which have appeared in nationally syndicated magazines. Moore was a featured panelist on National Public Radio in San Francisco, where he discussed the topic of military families and the holidays. Most recently, he presented at the Association of the United States Army's annual conference on the topic of military families and post-traumatic stress disorder.
General T. Michael Moseley
General T. Michael Moseley is the 20th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. As Chief, he serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equiping of more than 700,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President. Prior to his current position, the general served as the Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. General Moseley has also commanded the 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces while serving as Combined Forces Air Component Commander for Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
The Honorable R. James "Jim" Nicholson
The Honorable R. James "Jim" Nicholson was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs on December 9, 2004, and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on January 26, 2005. He was sworn into office on February 1, 2005. Mr. Nicholson is the principal advocate for veterans in the U.S. government and directs the nation's second largest Cabinet Department, responsible for a nationwide system of health care services, benefits programs, and national cemeteries for America's veterans and dependents. VA employs approximately 230,000 people at hundreds of medical centers, clinics, nursing homes, benefits offices and national cemeteries throughout the country. The VA budget for fiscal year 2005 is more than $70 billion, an amount greater than the budgets of 24 states combined. He is a 1961 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Mr. Nicholson served eight years on active duty as a paratrooper and Ranger-qualified Army officer, then 22 years in the Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of colonel. While serving in Vietnam, he earned the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, the Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and two Air Medals.
Dr. Robert A. Pape
Robert A. Pape is Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs. His most recent book is DYING TO WIN: THE STRATEGIC LOGIC OF SUICIDE TERRORISM (Random House June 2005), also published in Great Britain, Australia, Spain and Italy and in paperback (July 2006). His other publications include BOMBING TO WIN: AIR POWER AND COERCION IN WAR (Cornell 1996), and numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, such as "Why Economic Sanctions Do Not Work," INTERNATIONAL SECURITY (1997), "The Determinants of International Moral Action," INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION (1999), AThe Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism,@ AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW (August 2003), AThe True Worth of Air Power,@ FOREIGN AFFAIRS (March/April 2004), and "Soft Balancing against the United States," INTERNATIONAL SECURITY (Summer 2005). His commentary on international security policy has appeared in THE NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, NEW REPUBLIC, BOSTON GLOBE, LOS ANGELES TIMES, and BULLETIN OF ATOMIC SCIENTISTS as well as on THE NEWSHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER, NIGHTLINE, ABC NEWS, CNN'S WOLF BLITZER, ANDERSON COOPER and LOU DOBBS, FOX's JOHN GIPSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL, and NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO. Before coming to Chicago in 1999, he taught international relations at Dartmouth College for five years and air power strategy for the USAF's School of Advanced Airpower Studies for three years. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1988 and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Pittsburgh in 1982. His current work focuses on suicide terrorism, the logic of soft balancing in a unipolar world, and the limits and advantages of precision air power.
Michael C. Reynolds
Michael C. Reynolds last assignment in the Air Force was as the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida. As a civilian, he is employed by Support Systems Associates, Inc., Warner Robins, Georgia, as Vice President of Air Force Business Development and Marketing. He serves as the Chairman of The Board for the Air Force Enlisted Foundation, which includes Bob Hope and Teresa Villages. As a loadmaster in the Air Force, he held top enlisted leadership and management positions at various command levels. He has accumulated more than 4,500 flying hours in C-141 A/B, C-130A/E/H, EC-130, MC-130E and MC-130H aircrafts.
Lieutenant Colonel Dirk Smith
Lieutenant Colonel Dirk Smith is the Commander of the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Wing, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. In December 2005, the 94th Fighter Squadron flew its last sortie as an F-15C squadron. In March 2006, the squadron received its first two F-22 Raptors from Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia, and began its transition to be the second operational F-22 squadron. As of August 2006, the 94th Fighter Squadron has 14 qualified F-22 pilots and 16 F-22s. The squadron will be ready for its first AEF rotation in May 2007. Colonel Smith received his commission and a Bachelor of Science degree from the USAF Academy in 1988. He is a command pilot with over 2,400 hours of flying time in the F-15C and the F-22. He has served as an F-15C weapons officer, flight commander, and operations officer.
Captain Ray "Ike" Thaler
Captain Ray "Ike" Thaler received his ROTC scholarship at Auburn University and was commissioned in June 2000. He then attended Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Pensacola NAS and UPT at Vance AFB, OK. Captain Thaler's first assignment was with the 71st Fighter Squadron at Langley AFB. During his assignment with the 71st he became a 4-ship flight lead and mission commander, logging over 500 hours in F-15's. After two years as an F-15 Combat Mission Ready Pilot, he was selected to fly the F-22 pilot and join the 94th Fighter Squadron. He has six years in the Air Force with over 600 total hours in fighter aircraft.
Dr. Loren B. Thompson
Dr. Loren B. Thompson is the Chief Operating Officer of the Lexington Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public-policy research organization that focuses on national security, education reform, immigration and federal policy concerning science and technology. Dr. Thompson oversees Security Studies, the institute's largest project. He is a long-time advisor to high-tech companies, the federal government, and foundations, conducting most of his for-profit activities through Source Associates, a consulting firm that he heads in Northern Virginia. For 20 years, Dr. Thompson has taught graduate-level courses at Georgetown University in military strategy, new technology and the media. He is widely quoted on military affairs in the national media.
Kenneth R. Timmerman
Kenneth R. Timmerman is the best-selling author of Countdown to Crisis: the Coming Nuclear Showdown with Iran. He has been tracking Iranian government terrorism and weapons of mass destruction programs for the past 20 years. His in-depth investigations on these subjects have appeared in Time Magazine, Reader's Digest and other major news outlets. He has been sought out for his expertise by a wide variety of U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Army War College, the Department of Energy, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. He is also a regular television and radio guest, appearing on programs including The O'Reilly Factor, 60 Minutes, Nightline, Hannity & Colmes, and CNN Late Edition. Since 1987, Timmerman has operated Middle East Data Project, Inc., a small business that provides investigative support and policy guidance to government agencies and private companies on three continents.
The Honorable Curt Weldon
The Honorable Curt Weldon represents the Seventh Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Currently serving his tenth term, Congressman Weldon is the most senior Republican in the Pennsylvania Delegation. A Member of the House of Representatives since 1987, Weldon has taken leadership roles on a wide variety of issues, ranging from national security to the environment. A senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, Weldon served six years as the Chairman of the Military Research and Development Subcommittee, overseeing the development and testing of key military systems, weapons programs, and technologies that fulfill military needs. Weldon has used that position to become the leading House supporter of a national missile defense to protect America's families and communities. Weldon now serves as the Vice Chairman of the full Committee as well as Chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. His role will ensure that our service men and women are adequately prepared for duty in the high-tech world of the 21st century.
Lieutenant General Donald J. Wetekam
Lieutenant General Donald J. Wetekam is Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. General Wetekam is responsible to the Chief of Staff for leadership, management and integration of Air Force civil engineering, security forces, logistics readiness, supply, transportation, and aircraft and missile maintenance, as well as setting policy and preparing budget estimates that reflect enhancements to productivity, combat readiness and quality of life for Air Force people. General Wetekam entered the Air Force in June 1973 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. A career logistics officer, the general has commanded three maintenance squadrons, a logistics group and a logistics center. He has served staff tours at both major command and Air Staff levels, and he is currently serving as Chairman, Army and Air Force Exchange Service Board of Directors.
Lieutenant General Michael Wooley
Lieutenant General Michael Wooley is Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Hurlburt Field, Florida. AFSOC is a major command of the U. S. Air Force and the Air Force component of U.S. Special Operations Command. The command provides Air Force Special Operations Forces and Combat Search and Rescue for worldwide deployment and assignment to unified combatant commanders and consists of approximately 20,000 active duty, Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian professionals. Prior to assuming his current position, General Wooley was Commander, 3rd Air Force, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. The general is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours.
Mr. Garrison Wynn
Garrison Wynn helps people learn how to make the jump from being great at what they do to understanding and developing the qualities it takes to be chosen for the job. He gets them to understand why their products, services, or leadership styles—or those of their competitors—are selected. As he says, "If the world agreed on what's best, everybody would choose the best and nothing else would be considered. Decision making doesn't work that way!" As a speaker, advisor, and entertainer, Garrison has worked with some of the world's highest paid corporate leaders and business professionals from multibillion-dollar manufacturers to top New York Stock Exchange firms. He has a background in manufacturing, entertainment, telecommunications, and financial services. Garrison started as a sales and marketing person in a branch office of a Fortune 500 company at age 24, and was chosen to be department head at corporate headquarters three years later.
The Honorable Michael W. Wynne
Michael W. Wynne is the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. He is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its nearly 370,000 men and women on active duty, 180,000 members of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, 160,000 civilians, and their families. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Wynne served as Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, in the Bush Administration. Mr. Wynne is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and served in the Air Force for seven years, ending his career as a captain and assistant professor of astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. His subsequent career in the aerospace industry included stints with Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.
Mr. Charles "Chuck" Zimkas
Charles "Chuck" Zimkas is the Chief Operating Officer for the Space Foundation, a national non-profit organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He joined the Foundation in July 1986, and is responsible for the operations and logistical support functions of the foundation. During his 26-plus year Air Force career, he served in a variety of positions. Selected as one of the 12 United States Air Force Outstanding Airmen for 1978, Zimkas was the NORAD Senior Enlisted Advisor and first Air Force Space Command Senior Enlisted Advisor. Chuck is very active in national, regional and community activities, including his service as chairman, AFA National Membership Committee, past Rocky Mountain Region president for the Air Force Association and past vice president for the Aerospace Education Foundation.
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