AFA Announces New Board Members at 2026 National Convention

National Harbor, Md. — Delegates of the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) elected members to four open positions on the association’s Board of Directors on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at the AFA National Convention. Positions up for election were the Vice Chair of the Board for Field Operations; National Treasurer; National Director, East Area; and two positions for National Director, at Large.

The following members will begin their terms on the Board of Directors:

Janelle Stafford, Vice Chair of the Board for Field Operations. Stafford, of Shawnee, Okla., has been an AFA member for more than 20 years and most recently served as National Director, Central Area. She chairs the Membership Committee and was named AFA National Member of the Year in 2024. Stafford has nearly 25 years in the aerospace and defense industry, with close ties to Tinker Air Force Base.

Robert M. “Mike” Maxwell, National Treasurer. Maxwell serves as AFA’s Virginia State President and previously held chapter roles including Chapter President. A retired member of the Senior Executive Service and a retired Air Force colonel, he closed his federal career in 2021 as Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. Army Reserve at the Pentagon, overseeing an $8 billion budget.

Linda McMahon, National Director, East Area. McMahon, an AFA Life Member, currently serves as Central East Region President and previously served as Virginia State President. She led Virginia’s AFA organization through the pandemic, extending her tenure by a year when the incoming president stepped aside, and was named AFA Member of the Year in 2022.

Bill Harding, National Director, at Large. Harding, of El Segundo, Calif., is an AFA Life Member and was reelected to his present role. He previously led AFA’s Schriever Chapter and co-chaired the Space Working Group, which helped drive the association’s rebranding to the Air & Space Forces Association. Harding served 28 years in the Air Force and now works as an independent consultant.

Paul H. Weseloh, National Director, at Large. Weseloh is Director of Safety for a Numbered Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. A retired Chief Master Sergeant with 29 years on active duty, he served as Command Chief at the wing, Numbered Air Force, and Field Operating Agency levels. An AFA Life Member, he is a former Texoma Region, Texas State, and Alamo Chapter President.

“We are delighted to welcome these exceptional leaders to AFA’s Board of Directors,” said AFA Chair of the Board Kathleen Ferguson. “Each brings a wealth of experience, proven leadership, and a deep commitment to our mission. Their perspectives will strengthen AFA as we advocate for our Air Force and Space Force, educate the public about the vital importance of air and space power, and support our Airmen, Guardians, and their Families.”

For more information on AFA leadership, visit here. 

About AFA

The Air & Space Forces Association is an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 association dedicated to advocating for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. Founded in 1946, AFA is the single largest entity of its kind focused on air and space power. With more than 350,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air Force and Space Force as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect the enduring heritage of the Air Force and Space Force.