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Region Profile: South Central Region
Welcome to the South Central Region. Our region is comprised of the five states (Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee),
as well as 16 chapters within these States. The last figures reflect the total SCR Air Force Association membership at: 6,442.
As with many states within AFA, the South Central Region does not process a significant number of active Air Force installations; or, for
that matter, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve installations. Despite this limiting factor, the 6,442 members of the region
continually provide outstanding results, as well as measuring up to the grass roots effectiveness of AFA to further the Mission of the
organization -- Educate, Advocate, and Support.
The South Central Region recently conducted their Region Conference. This was the first AFA conference held in the South Central Region
in over ten years. We had four (4) out of the five (5) State Presidents, or their representative in attendance, as well as 47 individuals
attending the Business meetings on 26 March 2011. In addition, we were fortunate to have the AFA Treasurer, Mr. Len Vernamonti as the AFA
representative at both the conference and dinner. The AFA State President, Paul LaFlame excelled in hosting the conference at the Officers’
Club, Barksdale, AFB, LA. An outstanding dinner followed hosted by the Ark-La-Tex Chapter. This conference was a total success, and
exceeded the objectives of an AFA Region Conference/Workshop.
AFA Alabama:
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State President: Skip Dotherow
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State AFA has a dedicated corps of volunteer leadership that enables the state organization to promote Air Force issues across
many venues
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State AFA has encouraged chapters to make contact with their Congressional leadership and keep them informed on national issues
facing the Air Force
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State officers have a long and distinguished history of supporting the initiatives of AFA HQ; attending conventions and serving on
national committees
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The Montgomery Chapter has an exceptional Aerospace Education Program that has set the benchmark for other chapters nationwide to
emulate. State promotes Teacher of the Year, Teacher Workshop, Visions of Exploration, and CyberPatriot AE programs
AFA Chapters
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The state has four chapters; three are active chapters, and one is dormant.
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Mobile, most recently came on line in Dec 2010
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Huntsville, serving the Tennessee Valley and North Alabama
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Montgomery, serving the central portion of the state
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Birmingham, serves the north central portion of the state; and, is currently dormant
Birmingham Chapter 100:
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The major issue facing the state AFA is the lack of presence in the greater Birmingham area
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The Birmingham chapter was in a stand up mode when the progress was halted due to deployments from the host unit 117 AFW, AL ANG in
the summer of 2010
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Current state president made efforts to reignite the process but failed, again due to deployments of key personnel within the
host unit
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Contributing to the series of false starts is the heavy presence of National Guard Association in the area; the cultural barrier has
not been broken
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Efforts will resume in late spring of 2011 and upon the return of the deployment flight
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Chapter strength: 360
Mobile Chapter 101:
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Steve Carey, President, start up in December 2010
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Chapter held its first quarterly meeting March 10, 2011
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Chapter supported the CyberPatriot III program with a school recruitment
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Chapter is developing a niche for the area and all indicators point to a vibrant chapter in the coming years
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Chapter strength: 288
Tennessee Valley (Huntsville) Chapter 335:
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Rick Driesbach continues to lead this vibrant chapter
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Chapter has strength in membership and in Community Partner programs
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Chapter has actively supported the Aerospace Education Program, to include strong promotion of the Teacher of the Year, CyberPatriot,
and scholarship initiatives
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Chapter has demonstrated that affiliation to an Air Force Base is not a prerequisite for success
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Notable, March 10, 2011 Quarterly meeting was a joint effort with the local AFCEA, and other organizations that support the military
in the greater Huntsville area. Over 275 were in attendance to hear Lt. General David Deptula as the keynote speaker
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Chapter has been aggressive in promoting the Air Force birthday ball in the area to include a large number of non-AFA members
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Community partners with the chapter play an integral role in providing programs for the chapter on a quarterly basis
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Chapter strength is: 434
Montgomery Chapter 102:
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Larry Carter assumed the role as chapter president in October 2010
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Chapter continues to be one of the strongest among all AFA chapters nationwide
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Chapter has won the Jack Gross Award for membership recruitment for the past 7 years in the Extra Large Chapter category
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Chapter has an exceptional Aerospace Education Program that has set the benchmark for other chapters nationwide to emulate - providing a
variety of community AE outreach programs for adults and youth, promoting the Teacher of the Year, Visions of Exploration, and
CyberPatriot programs, working with the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings on chapter initiatives, involving Maxwell Air Force Base
Air University on community outreach programs, providing educator workshops, and presenting AF ROTC and JROTC by chapter members.
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Chapter has maintained a constant number of Community Partners, reflecting the consistency of priority for the program
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Chapter has extended its outreach to the local Alabama Air National Guard unit (Flying F-16’s) and a local U.S. Air Force Reserve unit
(Flying C-130’s). This has allowed the chapter to participate in deployment send-offs and welcoming home parties
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Chapter hosts an annual golf tournament as its single fund raising event for the year
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The capstone event of the chapter is the chapter’s annual brunch honoring aviation legends participating in the Air Command and Staff
College “Gathering of Eagles” program. Each “Eagle” is presented a medallion and recognized in and audio-visual presentation
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Montgomery Chapter leadership annually attends the AFA Convention/Air & Space Conference in Washington DC. Montgomery Chapter
representatives host a dinner for Alabama Senators, and Congressional legislators, as well as their staffs. They also have an audience
with each of their respective Senators and Congressional legislators in their offices to discuss many topics of concern; to include,
AFA’s top ten issues.
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Chapter strength is: 1165
AFA Arkansas:
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State President: Jerry Reichenbach
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Jerry has been the State President more times than he wants to admit
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Dedicated to the AFA he is adamant in keeping the chapters viable
AFA Chapters:
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Chapter 253, David D. Terry Jr., Little Rock, AR
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Chapter 270, Lewis E. Lyle, Hot Springs, AR
David D. Terry Jr Chapter
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Chapter President: Jerry Reichenbach
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Jerry assumed the presidency role as a result of the resignation of the past president
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Chapter is located in the heart of Little Rock AFB and encompasses the North Eastern and central Arkansas areas
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Chapter’s interests:
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Varied program that continues to support the Little Rock AFB three (3) wings with quarterly and annual awards program,
awarding all final winners a membership to AFA
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Support AFROTC and AFJROTC units in the state and insure that all AFA awards are presented by an AFA member from the State and
Chapter organizations
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Past AFA Chairman of the Board, Bob Largent is an active member of this chapter
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Chapter Strength: 679
Lewis E. Lyle Chapter
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Chapter President: Morris Cash
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This chapter located through-out Western and Southern Arkansas
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The chapter is comprised of mostly retired AFA members, as most of them are all over 70 years in age
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Meet monthly and have a good quarterly membership program
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Chapter Strength: 679
AFA Louisiana:
Majors Goals of the State Organization
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For 2011 into 2012
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Provide both chapters with timely information and automated means to receive information and distribute it for action to the areas
needing to begin operations - currently active but very little action is implemented by Chapter Officers to produce results
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PRIORITY- Keep the Web Site up and running; get the officers to use the tool to its fullest extent; work with chapters to provide
updates so that members can see chapter’s current and upcoming projects
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Meet the objectives of the AFA Strategic Plan and help the chapters to prepare proper materials: i.e., reports and awards in
electronic format to meet required suspense’s
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Continue to provide extremely strong support of the CyberPatriot IV program (Louisiana led the South Central Region states in
CyberPatriot III with 17 teams recruited)
AFA Chapters:
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Chapter 156, MG Oris B. Johnson, Baton Rouge, LA
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Chapter 159Ark-La-Tex, Bossier City, LA
MG Oris B. Johnson Chapter 156
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Phil Jones has been the Chapter President for many years as well as the rest of the elected Officers. Age is now a factor with the
officers involvement and ability to support AFA in rapidly changing times
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The Chapter’s primary focus is supporting the LSU AFROTC program which they do an excellent job at with Guest Speaking and Monetary
Donations to support the Cadets
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Members attend local AFJROTC Events and present National Awards as they are received
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The Chapter is current in reporting to Headquarters and has taken the lead in accurate use of the automated reporting system and leads
the state in meeting suspense's for submission due to the Outstanding efforts of the Chapter Treasurer Rodney Breland
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Community Partner Strength is zero with no active program to recruit new partners
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Membership is on a fast decline with no active program to recruit new Members
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A newsletter Mailing was conducted in the first quarter to all current and expired members from 2010
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Chapter Strength: 329
Ark-La-Tex Chapter 159
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Al Yantis was elected in October 2010 to lead this chapter; and, is a past Chapter officer, as well as Louisiana State President
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Chapter actively supports the Teacher of the Year Program
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The Chapter supports the Annual Retiree Golf Tournament with a monetary donation and manpower
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The Chapter supports the Ace of Aces Flight Simulator Program in the local middle schools with funding for awards
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The Awarding of Pitsenbarger Scholarships from the National level is supported by Chapter Members by helping to select recipients and
representing the Organization at the Graduation Ceremony
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Chapter Members attend local AFJROTC Events and present National Awards as they are received
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Community Partner Strength is currently at five, with no active program to recruit new partners or renew existing ones
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Membership is on a fast decline. The chapter employed an active attempt in May 2011 to recruit new Members at the Barksdale
Open House
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A newsletter Mailing was conducted in the first quarter to all current and expired members from 2010
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Chapter Strength: 633
AFA Mississippi:
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State President: Carl Nuzzo
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Mississippi is trying to focus on educating civilians with little or no sense of what the USAF does; state president confident the
Stennis and Sonny Montgomery chapters have a good handle on that
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State supported CyberPatriot III with 10 teams recruited; will continue to promote the program
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Mississippi AFA State Convention conducted 18-19 March 2011, Biloxi, MS
AFA Chapters:
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Chapter 163, Golden Triangle, Columbus, MS
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Chapter 332, John C. Stennis, Biloxi, MS
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Chapter 376, Sonny Montgomery, Meridian, MS
Golden Triangle Chapter
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Current Chapter President Rick (Sonic) Johnson
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Rick, a Civil Servant (Wing Public Affairs Officer), has been heavily engaged with the new Wing Commander at Columbus AFB (CAFB)
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Rick recently resigned as the Chapter President, as did other officers of the chapter; however, in an effort to keep the Columbus
chapter active, Rick has returned to be the Chapter President
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Former chapter leadership moved on due to burn-out, thus, lack of volunteers in chapter leadership positions at the top has led to
the downhill slide of this chapter
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Golden Triangle Chapter will most likely focus on raising money to give back to CAFB to support CAFB events
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In an effort to assist the chapter, the State President engaged with the newly-assigned Columbus AFB Wing Commander at a ROTC event
this past fall at the Mississippi ROTC Detachment Dining-Out at the Columbus AFB Officers’ Club
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The new Wing Commander is a strong advocate of AFA, and a life-long member of AFA, thus, as a result of this change in leadership,
more involvement on the part of AFA members assigned to Columbus AFB should become evident
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Encouraged attitude that the chapter will become a viable Chapter at Columbus AFB
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Chapter Strength: 350
John C. Stennis Chapter
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New Chapter President: Lt. Col. Janet Pattison was recently elected
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Over the past year the Stennis chapter has grown and become more active. Attributed to new leadership support from Keesler AFB, MS
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This past September they conducted their annual AFA Birthday Ball (chapter’s principal fund-raiser), they have also set in motion
their 2011 AFA Birthday Ball to be held on 17 September 2011
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Chapter hosted the Mississippi State AFA Meeting in conjunction with the Keesler AFB Air Show on 19 March 2011
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Chapter Strength: 439
Sonny Montgomery Chapter
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Current Chapter President Rick Wilbert Easom
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A major concern of this chapter is the loss of members, as well as recruiting new members
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An active Air National Guard Unit (186th Air Refueling Wing), Key Field, Meridian, MS, has not yielded members as well as meeting
sites
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ANG leadership is concerned with the Air Guard Association membership, vice Air Force Association membership
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Chapter has 65 Community Partners; most small (Mom and Pop) businesses; raise in CP membership dues hurt their renewals as no
additional value was seen as advantage to remain partners
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Chapter hosted their annual Scholarship and Awards banquet on 26 April 2011
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Chapter Strength: 135
AFA Tennessee:
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State President: Marty Coffman
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Marty has a good grip on the responsibilities associated with being the Tennessee AFA State President
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He has been in the position for some time; however, he has some strong candidates he is mentoring to follow him in this position
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As with most AFA State Presidents he is frustrated with the leadership in a couple of his state chapters. That is, he has a difficult
time in receiving timely inputs from them i.e., Chapter Officer Rosters, as well as quarterly Activity/Financial Reports, etc
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Marty has been a long time supporter and advocate of AFA
AFA Chapters:
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Chapter 230, Gen Dan F. Callahan, Nashville, TN
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Chapter 248, Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
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Chapter 301, Gen H H Arnold Memorial, Tullahoma, TN
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Chapter 336, Everett R. Cook, Memphis, TN
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Chapter 367, Gen Bruce K Holloway, Knoxville, TN
Gen Dan F. Callahan Chapter 230:
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Chapter President: Dan Callahan (son of the Chapter’s namesake). Dan has been the Chapter President for 14 years
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Dan is grooming the chapter secretary for increased leadership responsibilities
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Chapter’s Interests:
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STEM support, Guard/Reserve support, and ROTC support
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Recipient of the AFA National Teacher of the Year award (Allen Robnett, Gallatin HS, Gallatin TN), was nominated by Chapter 230
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Chapter Strength: 456
Chattanooga Chapter 248
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Chapter President: John W. Glass III; has been the president for many years (chapter would likely fold without him)
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Chapter leadership is comprised of John and Sue Glass, who principally run the chapter
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Chapter interests:
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JROTC, educating the public, and STEM support
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There is a small guarunit in Chattanooga: however, as with most Air National Guard Units they have not yielded members as well as
meeting sites. Also, ANG leadership is concerned with the Air Guard Association membership, vice Air Force Association membership
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Chapter Strength: 134
Gen HH Arnold Memorial Chapter 301
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Chapter President: Claude S. Morse
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Claude has been the Chapter President for many years
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Chapter used to be the most active chapter in Tennessee
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Chapter has an active duty base located there (Arnold Air Force Base)
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The recently came “back on line” and submitted their required yearly plans, as well as their timely reports and inputs
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Chapter hosted the AFA Tennessee State Convention on April 30, 2011
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Chapter interests:
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Conducting joint meetings with the Arnold Association of Professional Organizations; and, the Arnold Community Council
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Chapter Strength: 187
Everett R. Cook Chapter 336
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Chapter President : James A. Van Eynde
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Jim has been the Chapter President for six years and has reached the point of burn-out
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Leadership that the chapter does have is rapidly aging
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Chapter interests:
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ROTC support and Guard/Reserve support
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Chapter Strength: 370
Gen Bruce K. Holloway Chapter 367
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Chapter President: James M. Mungenast
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Jim has been the Chapter President for three years and has been providing excellent leadership to the chapter
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Jim was elected as the 2011/2012 Tennessee State President at the TN State Convention held on 30 April 2011. He has
mentored his replacement for the chapter
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Chapter interests:
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STEM support, Guard/Reserve support, and AFROTC support
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Immediate Past AFA Chairman of the Board, Joe Sutter is an active member of this chapter
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Chapter Strength: 579
The South Central Region is working to expand its outreach initiatives via the Aerospace Education mission of the AFA.
Regional Activities:
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Vice President of AE, Susan Mallett, sends out a minimum monthly electronic communication to all SCR state and chapter presidents
and VPs for AE in an effort to disseminate:
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Current notices and information from National AFA and Aerospace Education Council
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Current AE information pertaining to AFA awards, grants, scholarships, and programs (such as Teacher of the Year, Grant Programs, Chapter
Matching Grant Program, Visions of Exploration Program, CyberPatriot Program, and CAP’s AE Support Program)
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Continuous updates of the CyberPatriot program’s developments, as well as recruitment and registration initiatives
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Current AE information from other aerospace and educational organizations pertinent to AFA chapter promotion of AE grants, contests,
awards, resource sites, and other opportunities.
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Requests to SCR chapters and states to share AE activity information to promote throughout the region and the nation via the AFA AE
Newsletter
State Activities:
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Each state is working on or has already selected a Teacher of the Year
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Each state has submitted nominees for AFA’s variety of AE awards, scholarships, and grants
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Each state has educator recipients of the National AFA Educator Grant, and some states have recipients of CAP Unit and Educator
Grants, all of whom are sent a letter of commendation for initiating a grant proposal for AE/STEM projects
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Each state strongly promoted the CyberPatriot III program, and each state has already begun initiating promotional initiatives to
increase participation with all types of school teams for CyberPatriot IV.
AFA Headquarters recently honored the South Central Region with the below listed awards. These awards are indicative of the
outstanding commitment, dedication, and volunteerism of not just the individual award winners, but all the members of the South
Central Region:
Aerospace Education Excellence Award:
Extra Large Chapter -- Montgomery Chapter, AL
Aerospace Education Achievement Award:
Montgomery Chapter, AL
Community Partner Membership Award -- Gold Award:
Golden Triangle Chapter, MS
Meridian Chapter, MS
Montgomery Chapter, AL
Membership Award – Jack Gross Award:
Ark-La-Tex Chapter
David D. Terry Jr Chapter
Sustained New Member Recruitment – Special Recognition:
Ark-La-Tex, Chapter LA
David D. Terry Chapter, AR
Gen Bruce K. Holloway Chapter, TN
MG Gen Dan F. Callahan Chapter, TN
Golden Triangle Chapter, MS
John C. Stennis Chapter, MS
Lewis E. Lyle Chapter, AR
Meridian Chapter, MS
Montgomery Chapter, AL
Tennessee Valley Chapter, AL
Chapter Growth – Special Recognition:
Chattanooga Chapter, TN
David D. Terry Chapter, AR
Gen H.H. Arnold Chapter, TN
Golden Triangle Chapter, MS
John C. Stennis Chapter, MS
Meridian Chapter, MS
Tennessee Valley Chapter, AL
State and Region Growth:
State: Mississippi
Region: South Central Region
Chairman’s Citation: Mark Dierlam, AL
Exceptional Service Award
Skip Dotherow, AL
James Harris, AL
Medal of Merit:
David Bird, LA
Rick Driesbach, AL
Janet Pattison, MS
Russell Lewey, AL
Lynda Nuzzo, MS
Tony Wolf, LA
Submitted by Tom Gwaltney, AFA Region President, South Central Region
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