Bernie Skoch has been named the Commissioner for the Air Force Association’s National High School Cyber Defense Competition, CyberPatriot. Skoch graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and upon graduation was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force. His 29-year Air Force career took him throughout the United States and on permanent and temporary duty in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East.

Skoch has more than 30 years experience in leadership positions developing, managing and implementing communications and information systems for the United States Air Force, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), and the Joint Staff. He has served as the Principal Director for Customer Advocacy at DISA, as well as the Principal Director for Network Services. Within the USAF he served as Director of Mission Systems, Director of Communications Operations, and Director of Chief Information Officer Support where he was responsible for aligning information technology systems with business process improvements. While at the Joint Staff, he led development of the Global Command and Control System. He has developed and implemented defense policies for global telephone, video, radio, voice, data and satellite systems. Before joining CyberPatriot, Skoch was a defense IT industry consultant and was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives for the 3^rd District of Arkansas.

Bernie and Debbie, his wife of 39 years, have six children and eleven grandchildren, all residing in Northwest Arkansas.

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