Rand, Deale, and Ferguson Join AFA Board of Directors

Arlington, Va. – Arlington, Va. – The Air Force Association (AFA) welcomed three new board members and a new chaplain at its final meeting of 2021 on December 9.

Retired Gen. Robin Rand, Maj. Gen. Thomas Deale, and Kathleen Ferguson are the newest members of AFA’s Board of Directors. In addition, the board announced the appointment of recently retired Maj. Gen. Steven Schaick, the former Air Force chief of chaplains, as AFA chaplain.

“We couldn’t have found any more qualified individuals to join this board and advance our mission,” said Gerald Murray, AFA Chairman of the Board and the 14^th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. “The experience and expertise that each one brings is extraordinary. General Rand is a remarkable servant leader. General Deale brings both Air Force leadership and industry insight. And Ms. Ferguson’s stellar civilian career shines a light on the dedicated service of all civilian Airmen and Guardians. Each will help us succeed in educating the public, advocating for Air and Space power, and supporting our Airmen and Guardians—Active, Guard, Reserve, Civilian, and Family members.”

Rand’s nearly 40-year Air Force career culminated in assignments as Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and U.S. Strategic Command. A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he was a command pilot with more than 5,100 flying hours, including 480 combat hours. He is currently Chairman of the Board for the Arnold Air Society & Silver Wings. 

Deale spent 31 years in uniform, concluding his service as the vice director for joint force development (J-7) on the Joint Staff. A 1987 Air Force Academy graduate, he became a command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours and was a veteran of multiple tours in Afghanistan. Today he is a corporate lead executive and director of Air Force programs for Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Ferguson spent 35 years as a civilian Air Force staff member, completing her tenure as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Energy in 2015. Beginning as a civil engineer at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, N.Y., she advanced to positions at Tactical Air Command, Air Combat Command, and U.S. Air Forces in Europe. 

Schaick enlisted in the Air Force in 1976 with dreams of becoming a pilot. He spent four years as an F-15 integrated avionics component specialist, then left the service to pursue a degree and a commission. Soon, however, he felt a call to the ministry in the Presbyterian Church. After graduating from the seminary, he did return to the Air Force, but this time as a chaplain. Over the course of his 45 year Air Force career he served at nearly every possible level, completing his tenure with six years in Washington, split evenly as Deputy Chief of Chaplains and Chief of Chaplains. He retired from service this past July.

A full list of AFA’s Board of Directors can be found here. 

ABOUT AFA: 
An independent non-profit association, AFA is the single-largest professional military association dedicated to air and space power and to the advancement of aerospace education at every level. Founded in 1946, AFA this year celebrates 75 years dedicated to promoting dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; honoring and supporting Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and remembering and respecting the enduring heritage of the Air and Space Forces.