For Immediate Release
January 11, 2013

AFA National Headquarters Undergoes Transformation

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Air Force Association recently announced changes to its staff organization as it embarks on a new strategic direction to better educate the public on aerospace power and support the Air Force and the Air Force family.

At the heart of the reorganization is the formation of four distinct groups.

The first new functional area will fall under new-hire Larry Dilworth, the Vice President of Development and Marketing. The area includes Fundraising (Lois O’Connor), Industry Relations (Mary Ellen Dobrowolski), Member Benefits (Susan Rubel), and the Air Force Memorial (new-hire Barbara Taylor). By bringing these areas together, AFA hopes to increase fundraising efforts and initiatives.

The second new functional area will be led by Adam Hebert, Vice President of Education, Outreach and Communications. Hebert will be dual-hatted as Editor in Chief of Air Force Magazine, his current position, and will add oversight of Education and Communications (Chet Curtis), Government Relations and the Mitchell Institute (both of which are led by Doug Birkey). This area consolidates AFA’s communications with the outside world. The new setup will improve the efficiency and consistency of AFA’s messaging.

The last new functional area is led by Kari Hahn, as Vice President of Member and Field Relations. Hahn is presently our Membership Director, but she will soon oversee Airmen and Family Programs, the Wounded Airmen Initiative, the Transitions Program, and Field Awards. Also joining the staff will be Paula Roy, spouse of retiring Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy, as the Director of Airmen and Family Programs, a newly established initiative taken on by AFA. This program will help AFA expand the support provided to airmen and families. This will include exploring new opportunities, coalition building and launching new programs.

These varied programs are vital but core to AFA’s long-term health and significance because they tangibly demonstrate the association’s commitment to Airmen, spouses, and the greater Air Force family.

Finally, in the area of business operations, Mike Smith assumes the title of Senior Vice President/Senior Financial Officer. He oversees all of AFA’s support functions, including Information Technology (Laurie Brice), Administration (Tonya Hall), and Finance.

“We have to be more responsive to the needs of our members and AFA chapters and be more proactive in responding to the needs of our Airmen who are leaving the service in a rapidly changing economic climate,” said Craig McKinley, AFA President, in announcing these changes. “These changes were implemented to improve our effectiveness, operations and internal communication, and achieve synergies. Such a transformation will make AFA a more relevant military professional association to a new generation of young men and women who serve or have served our great country.”

“I look forward to supporting the new management team as they transition into new areas of responsibility and continue to have a positive influence on relaying the Air Force story to the public,” said George Muellner, AFA’s Chairman of the Board. “The AFA National staff realignment should significantly improve the way we carry out our initiatives and position AFA for an even greater future.”

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage. To accomplish this, we:

• EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security.
• ADVOCATE for aerospace power and STEM education.
• SUPPORT the Total Air Force family and promote aerospace education.

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