The Air Force Association Nominating Committee met on May 5 and selected candidates to send forward for National Officer positions and National Director positions on the Board of Directors. The Committee consists of three past Chairmen of the Board, one person selected by each of the two Vice Chairmen of the Board, two persons representing each geographic area, and one person each representing the Total Air Force, Air Force veterans, and aerospace industry constituencies. The slate of candidates will be presented to the delegates at the AFA National Convention in National Harbor, Md., in September.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
F. Whitten Peters
F. Whitten Peters, Washington, D.C., nominated for Chairman of the Board for a third one-year term. A Life Member, Peters joined AFA after becoming Undersecretary of the Air Force, a position he held from 1997 until 1999. He was subsequently confirmed as the 19th Secretary of the Air Force in 1999 and served in that position until 2001. Before then, he was DOD Principal Deputy General Counsel. Peters was appointed as an AFA National Director five times beginning in October 2008. He served on AFA’s national-level Executive Committee and Development Committee and received the AFA Chairman’s Citation in 2016. Peters received the W. Stuart Symington Award in 1999 and the DOD Distinguished Public Service medal three times. He is the first Secretary of the Air Force to hold the Order of the Sword. Peters earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in government, a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics, and a juris doctor degree from Harvard Law School. He served in the Navy Reserve as a Computer Systems Division Officer and Company Commander. Peters has been a member of several advisory organizations, including the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force, the Defense Science Board, and the presidential advisory Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry. He has been on the Board of Trustees for the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Foundation, and the Air Force Enlisted Village. Peters is a Lawyer.
VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, FIELD OPERATIONS
F. Gavin MacAloon
F. Gavin MacAloon, Tyndall AFB, Fla., nominated for Vice Chairman of the Board for Field Operations for a third one-year term. A Life Member, MacAloon joined AFA in 1984. He has been the Central East Region President and served on the Field Council as Chairman of the e-Business and the Emerging Leader Program Subcommittees. He is a founding member of AFA’s Wounded Airman Program. He served on the national-level Nominating Committee as Supervisor of Elections and in several State and Chapter offices, including Vice President for Fund-raising for the Virginia state AFA and President of the Donald W. Steele Sr. Memorial Chapter. He has received an AFA Chairman’s Citation, an Exceptional Service Award, a Medal of Merit, and numerous awards from the region, state, and chapter, most notably the 2012 Virginia Member of the Year. MacAloon earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southeast Missouri State University and a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University. He served in the Air Force for 22 years primarily as a Master Air Battle Manager on AWACS and Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center aircraft. MacAloon also served on the Air Staff, gaining leadership, management, and acquisition experience. Along with extensive AFA involvement, he is a member of the Association of Old Crows, Military Officers Association of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. MacAloon retired after a second career with an aerospace defense company and is now a business development consultant and a Senior Acquisition Analyst at the Air Force Civil Engineering Center (AFCEC) at Tyndall AFB, Fla.
VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, AEROSPACE EDUCATION
James T. Hannam
James T. Hannam, Burke, Va., nominated for a first one-year term as Vice Chairman, Aerospace Education. Hannam earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering science from the United States Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in applied mechanics from Stanford University, and a master of business administration from Auburn University. He was a fighter pilot with 100 combat missions over North Vietnam in F-105 Thunderchiefs. He also flew F-4 Phantoms in Southeast Asia and Europe and F-16 Falcons in Europe. He served as an Assistant Professor in Engineering Mechanics and as a Flying/Soaring Instructor at US Air Force Academy, in Europe as Wing Director of Operations, IG Director of Inspection, and Aviano Group Commander, and on the TAC and Air Staffs in Fighter Requirements, retiring as a Colonel. After Air Force retirement he worked in business development. He is a member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, MOAA, and Daedalians. An AFA Member since 1976, Hannam serves on the Executive Committee of the D.W. Steele Chapter, and previously as Steele Chapter President, Virginia State Secretary, Central East Region President, Director AFA Board of Directors, Long-Range Planning Committee, Chairman Strategic Planning Committee, and for the many years, Vice Chairman, Aerospace Education Council. AFA Awards include Medal of Merit, Exceptional Service Award, President’s and Chairman’s Awards, and AFA Member of the Year.
NATIONAL SECRETARY
Richard W. “Rick” Hartle
Richard W. “Rick” Hartle, Layton, Utah, current appointed incumbent, nominated for a full one-year term as National Secretary. An AFA member since 1998, Hartle has served AFA on the national level as a National Director at Large from 2011 to 2014 and 2017 to 2018. He currently chairs the Audit Committee, has chaired the Development Committee, and served on the Strategic Planning and Transition Constitution Committees. Life Member Hartle has been the Utah State President, Utah Aerospace Education Foundation President and Board Chair, AFA Utah Industrial Associates VP, and Ute-Rocky Mountain Chapter President. He has received a national-level Medal of Merit, the AFA Utah State Presidential Citation, and the Utah AEF Exceptional Service Award. He and his wife, Amy, are AFA Thunderbird Society members. His community involvement includes board positions with the Utah Defense Alliance, Strategic Deterrent Coalition, and the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee. Hartle earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from New Mexico State University and completed National Defense University and Boeing Leadership Center courses in management, business development, finance, and leadership. Hartle is retired from a 35-year career with an aerospace contractor.
NATIONAL TREASURER
Steven R. Lundgren
Steven R. Lundgren, Fairbanks, Alaska, nominated for a third one-year term as National Treasurer. An AFA member for more than 30 years, Lundgren was AFA National Treasurer from 2005 to 2010. He serves as AFA Alaska State Treasurer. Lundgren has been a Northwest Region President and served on the national-level Finance, Audit, and Executive Committees. He received AFA’s Member of the Year Award in 2011 and was awarded a Presidential Citation in 2003. His volunteer and civic organization work includes the Alaskan Command Civilian Advisory Board, the American Bankers Association (ABA) Community Bankers Council, the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation Board, and the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Board. He is Vice Chairman of the Alaska Committee for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program. Lundgren, who was President of the Alaska Bankers Association 2015-16, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oregon State University and has attended ABA professional-school courses. Lundgren began his career in banking in 1978 and is President and CEO of a community bank in Fairbanks.
NATIONAL DIRECTOR AT LARGE
The Nominating Committee submits three names for National Director at Large. Two will be elected for a three-year term.
Michael J. “Mike” Liquori
Michael J. “Mike” Liquori, Springfield, Mass., 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 University of Oklahoma. He served on Active Duty for 12 years and was assigned to AFROTC Det. 159, University of Central Florida. He was the detachment’s single point of contact for the local chapter’s scholarship program as well as the AFA Gala and Air Warfare Symposium. He also served the Martin H. Harris Chapter as Executive Vice President and President for two years each and as AFA Gala chairman for three years. Liquori was selected as an AFA Emerging Leader and has been a member of the Field Council for three years, serving on the Advocacy Subcommitte for two of them. Liquori received an AFA Medal of Merit, Exceptional Service Award, and a Chairman’s Citation. He has continued to serve as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee in the Air Force Reserve for 12-plus years and also works for a land development company in Orlando, Fla.
Gerald R. Murray
Gerald R. Murray, South Ogden, Utah, joined AFA in 1996, becoming a Life Member in 2002. Murray served 29 years in the Air Force, culminating as the highest ranking noncommissioned officer in USAF, the 14th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. Prior, he performed various duties in aircraft maintenance and logistics with the F-4, F-16, and A-10 aircraft, and as a command chief master sergeant at wing, numbered air force, and major command levels. Murray’s previous AFA involvement has been as National Director, Membership Committee, Chapter 331 President, Force Capabilities Advisory Group, and as the Georgia and Utah State Delegate. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Leo University and an associate’s of applied science in aircraft systems maintenance technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Murray has received the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, a Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Sevice Medal, four AF Meritorious Service Medals, and three AF Commendation Medals. Additionally, he was the 1991 recipient of the Air Force Gen. Lew Allen Trophy. He has volunteered as an AFA Emerging Leader Mentor, with the AFA Focus on Defense Forum, and with the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee. Murray currently serves on the USAA Board of Directors, the Air Force Association National Board of Directors, the Air Force Museum Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Air Force Enlisted Village Development Council.
Steven A. Roser
Steven A. Roser, Keller, Texas, an AFA member since 1986, is the President and CEO of a consulting company. Prior to assuming this position, he was the Vice President of Marketing for a leading provider of innovative products and systems solutions for the defense, homeland security, commercial aviation, and medical instrumentation markets. He has also served as the Vice President of Business Development for a Defense and Aerospace Systems technology Division in Huntsville, Ala. Prior to this position, Roser was Regional Manager supporting Air Mobility Command. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in political science and two masters degrees: one in international relations from Webster University and one from Washington University in St Louis. He graduated from advanced programs at Carnegie Mellon University and Harvard. He is also a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the National War College. Steve Roser is a retired United States Air Force Brigadier General. He served 29 years in the Air Force and held numerous command and staff positions. He retired from USAF in October 1999.
NATIONAL DIRECTOR, WEST AREA
The Nominating Committee submits one name for National Director, West Area, for a three-year term.
Robert E. “Bob” George
Robert E. “Bob” George, Ogden, Utah, an AFA member since 1972 and a Life Member since 1978. George has served on the Strategic Planning Committee and the Nominating Committee. He served as Rocky Mountain Region President, State (Utah) President, and served the Northern Utah Chapter as Secretary, Vice President, and President. He currently serves as the Utah AFA Secretary. He was awarded the AFA’s Chairman’s Citation, Exceptional Service Award, Medal of Merit and several State awards. In addition to his AFA duties, George volunteered for nine years as finance chair for his church, six years as a member of the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee, and has helped several retiring/former military members though the e-mentor program. During the winter months he also volunteers as a ski guide/host at Powder Mountain Resort. George earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and a master’s degree in business finance from Webster University in St. Louis. He served 28 years in the Air Force, retiring in 2000. Since then he has worked for three defense contractors and in 2012 became a founding owner of an engineering services company where he serves as the Vice President for Operations.