AFA Nominees 2022-2023

Candidates for National Office and the Board of Directors

Chairman of the Board

Bernie Skoch, Elkins, Ark., nominated for a first-year term as Chairman of the Board, joined AFA in 2010, becoming a Life Member in 2018. Skoch served 29 years in the Air Force, involved in a variety of communications roles and became Director of Communications Operations, Office of the DCS for Installations and Logistics, USAF, Washington, D.C. Prior, he served as the first-ever Principal Director for Network Services and Customer Advocacy at the Defense Information Systems Agency, Arlington, Va. He performed various duties on the Joint Staff supporting the National Military Command System and developing the Global Command and Control System, rising to the rank of Brigadier General. Skoch’s previous AFA involvement began by launching AFA’s CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Program as National Commissioner, growing the program to one of the most widely regarded and successful cyber-focused STEM programs in the nation. He then became the Executive Lead for AFA Strategic Events boosting the profile, revenue, and attendance of AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference and  also transforming AFA’s Warfare Symposium into a showcase featuring the best of Air Force innovations. Skoch earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Arkansas and a master’s in management and supervision from Central Michigan University. He received the AFA President’s Citation for exceptional leadership (2019); AFA’s Chairman’s Aerospace Education Award (2020); AFA’s Hoyt S. Vandenberg Award for most outstanding contribution in the field of aerospace education (2021); and helped put AFA in position to be awarded the Trade Show Executives “Fastest 50” award for exceptional growth in attendance and exhibit sales. Skoch currently serves on the Military Cyber Professionals Association Board; the Civil Air Patrol Board of Governors; is a Senior Advisor for Aerospace/STEM Education on the AFA Education Council; and is presently AFA’s South Central Region President.

Vice Chairman of the Board, Field Operations

James W. Simons, Minot, N.D., nominated for a third-year term as Vice Chairman of the Board, Field Operations has been an AFA member and Community Partner since 1995. Simons has held AFA positions including David C. Jones Chapter President and Treasurer, North Dakota State President, and the North Central Region President. He was a charter member of the AFA Field Council and also served on the National Membership Committee. Simons has received the AFA Medal of Merit; Exceptional Service Award; Chairman’s Citation (2009); National Member of the Year (2014); and the Mary Anne Thompson Award (2009). He previously served AFA as the National Director, Central Area. Simons earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California, and a master’s degree in administration of justice form Wichita State University. A retired U.S. Army Military Police Officer, and a retired financial adviser for a financial services company, he now spends his time serving Airmen and Guardians. His volunteer work includes treasurer of a local community group. He is involved in Arnold Air Society/Silver Wings and is a member of the 2022 Wings Society. 

Vice Chairman of the Board, Aerospace Education

Stephen K. Gourley, Aurora, Colo., nominated for a second-year term as Vice Chairman of the Board, Aerospace Education, joined AFA in 2007 and has served as the Mile High 127 Chapter President and Colorado State Executive Vice President and President, member and Chair of the AFA Strategic Planning Committee, and is the former Director of the StellarXplorers program. He is currently serving as Colorado Mile High 127 Chapter Vice President, Aerospace Education, and State Vice President, Veterans Affairs. As the Vice Chairman, Gourley also serves as Chair of AFA’s Education Council. He has been Colorado Member of the Year (2020) and received every other level of Colorado recognition, as well as a National level Medal of Merit Award (2012), Exceptional Service Award (2013), a Special Citation (2015), and a Chairman’s Citation (2016, 2021). Gourley earned a bachelor’s degree in astronautical engineering and a master’s degree from the MIT and a master’s degree in national resource strategy from National Defense University. He retired from the USAF after more than 26 years of service in the space field, working in science and technology; research, development, test, and evaluation; operations, and command. He currently works as the president of an engineering and management consultant company.

National Secretary

Michael J. “Mike” Liquori, Springfield, Mass., nominated for a second-year term as National Secretary, has been an AFA Life Member since 2000. He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Boston University and a master’s degree in managerial economics from the University of Oklahoma. He is a retired lieutenant colonel having served on Active duty for 12 years and as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee in the Air Force Reserve for 13 years.  He is a member of the Martin H. Harris Chapter (Fla.) where he has served as President, Executive Vice President, AF Gala Chairman, AWS Awards Chairman, AWS Golf Chairman, and webmaster. Liquori was selected as an AFA Emerging Leader in the 2014-2015 class. At the national level he has served as Chairman of the Membership Committee and Audit Committee and he  has also previously been a member of the Field Council, Nominating Committee, and Finance Committee. Liquori received an AFA Medal of Merit (2009), Exceptional Service Award (2012), and a Chairman’s Citation (2013, 2019). He currently works in the real estate development/asset management field in Orlando, Fla.

National Treasurer

Charles L. Martin Jr., Fort Mill, S.C., nominated for a third-year term as National Treasurer. An AFA Life Member since 1977, Martin has served as AFA National Treasurer, on the Finance Committee, and the Fresh Look Initiative Committee. Martin has received the AFA Special Citation; AFA Medal of Merit; AFA Colorado Chapter Meritorious Service Award and Certification of Appreciation; and AFA Scheidecker Award. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Manhattan College, N.Y., and an MBA in accounting from Michigan State University. Retiring after 28 years in the USAF as a comptroller, he served in executive staff or volunteer positions in national not-for-profit associations. Chuck holds certifications as an Internal Auditor and an Association Executive. His volunteer memberships now include the S.C. Governor’s Task Force on Military Organizations, VFW, Indian Land Post-Investment Committee, Sun City Carolina Lakes Finance & Investment Committees, and Audit Committee, American Academy of Audiology.

National Director at Large

The Nominating Committee submits four names for National Director at Large. Two will be elected for a three-year term. (Only two names were submitted this year)

Paul Hendricks III, North Texas, an AFA Life Member, joining in 1973. He retired as a lieutenant colonel from the USAF after 20 years with service flying B-52Ds in Vietnam and serving as a Requirements Development Manager, and B-1B Flight Test and Development Manager. Hendricks received the Distinguished Flying Cross (1972); Air Medal (1972); Air Force Commendation Medal (1975, 1982); and Meritorious Service Medal (1985, 1990). He served as a Chapter Executive Vice President (2015-17); Chapter President (2017-2020); Vice President Government Affairs (2020-present); in the Emerging Leader Program (2020); and currently serves as the Texas State President.  Hendricks also has chaired the Advocacy Field Subcommittee since 2020 and was on the Strategy Committee (2021). AFA awards received are: Freedom Medal; Medal of Merit (2017); Exceptional Service Award (2018); and the Chairman’s Citation (2021). He served as a Program Manager for Rockwell/Boeing for 21 years supporting the B-1B development and maturity programs. Hendricks has served in his community on the Fairview Town Council as the Mayor Pro Tem and as the Vice Chair for the Planning and Zoning Commission. In 2014 he founded the Veterans Center of North Texas whose mission is to prevent Veteran homelessness and assist Veterans in establishing productive lifestyles. The organization was awarded the Texas Civilian Organization of the Year in 2021.

Gabbe Kearney,Alexandria, Va., is a Life Member who joined AFA in 2008 as part of the Arnold Air Society through ROTC. She has served as a member of the USAF for the past 10 years, recently performing duties as a Maintenance Operations Officer. Kearney’s AFA involvement includes State President, Chapter President, Chapter Vice President, Vice President Aerospace Education, and Vice President of Communications. She has also served on the Chapter EXCOM, Aerospace Education Committee, and currently leads the Field Emerging Leaders Program as part of the D.W. Steele Memorial Chapter (Va.). Kearney was awarded the AFA Member of the Year Award (2021); Exceptional Service Award (2020), and the Medal of Merit (2019). She has also been active on AFA’s Field Council, Aerospace Education Council, Advocacy and Finance Committees, as well as the Governance and Bylaws Committee. In addition, she was named Arnold Air Society’s National Honorary Commander (2022). Kearney graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s from Michigan State University with degrees in political science and education and graduated from the Air Force’s Maintenance Weapons School as a Distinguished Graduate (2016). She served for 10 years volunteering with Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings as a National Administrative Consultant. She is currently a member of the Oregon Air National Guard and works full time with one of GE Aviation’s Leadership Programs. She co-founded the Leadership Consulting business Good Luck Don’t Suck Consulting Group and published their first book  “Good Luck, Don’t Suck: A Tactical Guide to Early Success in the Workplace” (2020). 

National Director, Central Area

The Nominating Committee submitted one name for National Director, Central Area, who will be elected for a two-year term.

Janelle Stafford, Shawnee, Okla., an AFA member who joined in 2016 starting out as a Community Partner. She has served as Chapter President, Chapter Vice President and Chapter Secretary for the Central Oklahoma Gerrity Chapter, Oklahoma State President, State Treasurer, and is currently the Texoma Region President. Stafford served on the Strategic Planning Committee (2020-21); Membership Committee (2020-21, 2022), Elections Committee (2019); and as Supervisor of Elections (2020, 2021). She received the Community Partner of the Year Award (2017-2020); Medal of Merit Award (2019); Exceptional Service Award (2020); Chapter Officer of the Year (2019); Chapter and State Person the Year (2020); and was a member of AFA’s Emerging Leaders (2020-21). Stafford graduated with a bachelor’s in political communications from Oklahoma Baptist University and attended the University of Oklahoma School of Law. She currently works as a Regional Business Development Manager at Moog, Inc., an Aerospace and Defense company and volunteers at all levels of AFA and also in her community