Arlington, VA, Sept. 19, 1996 -- The Air Force Association presented its prestigious Member of the Year Award to Tommy G. Harrison, a member of the Association's Central Florida Chapter, located in Orlando, FL.

Harrison, who lives in Apopka, Florida, accepted the award during AFA's National Convention and Aerospace Technology Exposition, held in Washington, D.C., Sept. 16-18.

Harrison, a retired Air Force colonel, was honored for his tireless dedication to the national, state and local organization. First elected as Florida AFA Secretary, Director of Operations in 1990 and State Executive Vice President in 1991, he became Florida State President in 1992. He unified all parties in the state, stimulating excitement and provided renewed enthusiasm to its operations, resulting in Florida's ascension as AFA's top state organization.

Following his term as State President, Harrison was appointed to the National Finance Committee and elected to the AFA Board of Directors, the organization's decision-making body, in 1995. His work on these bodies received praise from AFA National President Gene Smith, who asked Harrison to address the state presidents on the issue of state and chapter operating procedures. His counsel and expertise on these issues continues to be sought out by members and leaders of AFA.

Currently, Harrison serves as State Vice President for Membership, as well as special advisor to the State President. He also serves as State Assistant Treasurer and member of the awards committee. On the chapter level, he serves in many capacities, among them helping to organize the chapter's annual Air Force Gala, held in Orlando. He was also responsible for developing the short historical video on AFA's first fifty years, which will be used during the chapter's anniversary. Harrison is also actively involved in a range of aerospace educational activities, including the AFJROTC (Air Force Junior ROTC) and the University of Central Florida AFROTC programs.

In recommending Harrison for this award, Florida State AFA President William Sparks commented, "Tommy Harrison is the dedicated leader that AFA would like to have in any of its states or chapters. He is now placing some of that leadership energy at the national level, and AFA is better for his efforts."