AFA Announces David T. ‘Buck’ Buckwalter as Executive Vice President
Danny D. Marrs Is Moving on after 21 Years Service

David T. ‘Buck’ Buckwalter will become AFA’s Executive Vice President as of March 1, 2008, upon the departure of Danny D. Marrs after 21 years of service.

Buckwalter, an AFA Life Member, retired from the United States Air Force in the grade of Colonel after a 27-year career. As AFA’s top staff executive under President/CEO Michael Dunn, Buckwalter will direct the rest of the Association’s professional staff and, in coordination with the President, be responsible for its day-to- day operations and management.

“Buck brings with him an excellent military and academic track record. His having been involved with AFA will provide for a seamless transition,” said AFA President Mike Dunn. “Dan is leaving our Association in great shape, and we will reap the benefit of his service for years to come.”

Marrs, who served ably at AFA for more than two decades, provided strong leadership and expertise and left behind key accomplishments including: the acquisition of the remaining equity and expansion of the Association’s Headquarters building; the celebration of the centennial of flight and the Air Force’s 50th and 60th anniversaries; the recent AFA consolidation with the Aerospace Education Foundation (AEF); as well as the drive for the national Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. Marrs joined the United States Air Force in 1975 following graduation and commissioning from Kansas State University. In 1978 he received a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Missouri. In 1979, following four years on active duty, he worked with various technology companies and with the Air Force as a civilian employee prior to joining AFA in 1987. He first served as a staff director responsible for AFA’s information systems and in 1991 became the number two staff executive for both AFA and AEF. Following active duty Marrs continued to serve as a reserve officer and in 1996 he retired from U.S. Air Force Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He will continue his professional career focused on endeavors relating to technology.

Buckwalter has served as an AFA Chapter, State, and Region President, as a Trustee of the Aerospace Education Foundation, and as chair of the afa21 Tax Status Team, as well as on the national Strategic Planning and Constitution Committees. He served as National Director of the Air Force Association, 2004-07, and as Vice Chair of the Aerospace Education Council during 2007. He recently retired as a Professor of National Security Affairs teaching Decision Making and Implementation at the United States Naval War College (NWC), Newport, Rhode Island, after serving there since 1999. In the Air Force he served as a logistics group commander, component repair squadron commander, requirements action officer and executive officer on a major Air Force staff in Europe. He also holds a senior navigator rating and qualifications as an aircraft maintenance officer and has over 2,200 flying hours in the RF-4C aircraft. During active duty service he graduated from the Naval War College with Distinction. He also served as the Senior Air Force Advisor to the President of the Naval War College.

Buckwalter holds: a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY; a Master of Science Degree in Management, from Troy State University; a Master of Arts Degree in National Security & Strategic Studies, from Naval War College; and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in the Humanities from Salve Regina University, Newport, RI. Buck and his wife, Mary, are from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and have two children, Damon and Kathryn, and five grandchildren.
 

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