AFA National Convention | 2026 Candidates

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View Open Board Positions and Candidates

As established by the AFA Bylaws, the Nominating & Governance Committee met April 25 to interview and select eight candidates to run in the 2026 elections for open Board positions. Meet the 2026 Slate of Candidates below!

Voting will take place at AFA’s National Convention, September 12-13, in National Harbor, Md. More information about the candidates (bios, speeches, supporting speeches, etc.) will be available shortly.

Open Positions:

Vice Chair of the Board, Field Operations

Chris Canada

Chris “Thrasher” Canada, Bellevue, Neb., an AFA Life Member since 1985, has held numerous AFA positions including Wing Liaison Officer, Chapter Vice President, and President at the Chapter, State, and Region levels, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board for Field Operations. His AFA efforts have been recognized with the Medal of Merit (2014), Exceptional Service Award (2016), and the Chairman’s Citation (2018). Canada served 28 years on Active duty in the Air Force, flying worldwide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance collection missions, serving at the Numbered Air Force, Major Command, and Joint Combatant Command levels, and serving as Commanding Officer at multiple levels, retiring in 2013 with Master Navigator Wings and the Air Force Commander’s Badge. He earned his commission through the AFROTC program at the University of Tennessee and later earned a Master of Business Administration from City University of Seattle.

Janelle Stafford

Janelle Stafford, Shawnee, Okla., an AFA member for over 20 years, has held numerous AFA positions including National Director, Region President, and roles serving on the Strategic Planning, Membership, Advocacy, and AIMS Steering Committees, as well as Chapter President, Vice President, Secretary, State President, and Treasurer. She currently serves as National Director, East Area and sits on the Education Council, Field Council, and the Heritage Committee. AFA Awards encompass Chapter and State Community Partner of the Year (2017 to 2020), AFA Medal of Merit and Exceptional Service Awards, Chapter Officer of the Year, Chapter and State Person of the Year, and National Member of the Year (2024). Stafford has nearly 25 years in the aerospace and defense industry, with strong ties to Tinker Air Force Base and Oklahoma’s defense sector and believes in honoring veterans and preserving our heritage to educate future generations.

National Director, East Area

Linda McMahon

Linda McMahon, an AFA Life Member, has held numerous AFA positions, including Virginia State President, Vice President for the Central East Region, Chapter President of the Steele Chapter, and member of the Field Council’s Field Leadership Development Subcommittee, Field Tech Subcommittee, Nominating Committee, Region Presidents Subcommittee, and Space Working Group. She currently serves as Central East Region President and sits on the Education Council, Field Council, and the Heritage Committee. McMahon expertly led Virginia’s AFA organization through the pandemic, extending her tenure as State President for an additional year when the State President-elect decided not to take the role, and was recognized with the AFA 2022 Member of the Year award. She is a former Arnold Air Society/Silver Wings member and strongly supports today’s AAS/SW members as future AF/SF officers and AFA members.

National Director, at Large (two open positions)

Bill Harding

Bill Harding, El Segundo, Calif., an AFA Life Member, has held numerous AFA positions including president of AFA’s Schriever Chapters, helping lead the chapter to be named AFA’s Outstanding Large Chapter in 2022, and co-chair of AFA’s Space Working Group (SWG) for more than two years. He currently holds the position of National Director, at Large. The Space Working Group was instrumental in providing AFA leadership with insight into space issues and influencing the ultimate rebranding of AFA to the Air & Space Forces Association. Harding served in the Air Force for 28 years and currently works as an independent consultant, continuing to prioritize AFA volunteer service because he believes in the mission.

Mark “Buster” Douglas

Mark R. Douglas, Williamsburg, Va., an AFA member and current Virginia State President, has held numerous AFA positions including member of the AFA Board of Directors and President of the Langley AFA Chapter. Douglas served 23 years on active duty as a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, flying as an EC-130 Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot and serving in command and staff roles including Commander of the 505th Training Squadron and Deputy Commander of the 505th Training Group. He served as lead planner for air component post-conflict planning during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and as a by-name requested lead planner during Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Military History from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and currently serves as Business Development Manager at Northrop Grumman.

Paul H. Weseloh

Paul “Pablo” H. Weseloh is the Director of Safety for a Numbered Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, Texas, overseeing safety and risk management programs supporting more than 49,000 Airmen worldwide. A retired Chief Master Sergeant with 29 years of active-duty service and 45 years of combined Air Force military and civilian service, he held law enforcement, intelligence, and senior enlisted leadership positions, serving as Command Chief at the wing, Numbered Air Force, and Field Operating Agency levels. He deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield, Northern Watch, and Enduring Freedom. Mr. Weseloh holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from American Military University and completed executive education through the Center for Creative Leadership, National Defense University, and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. A Life Member of the Air & Space Forces Association, he is a former Texoma Region, Texas State, and Alamo Chapter President and has served in numerous national AFA leadership roles. His honors include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and multiple AFA awards. He and his wife, Maria, live in San Antonio, Texas.

Taona Enriquez

Taona Enriquez, Indialantic, Fla., an AFA member whose connection to the Association began in 2012, has made it a priority throughout her career to bring Airmen, civilians, enlisted personnel, officers, and spouses to AFA gatherings to provide future leaders direct exposure to senior leadership. Enriquez retired from the United States Air Force in September 2024 after 23 years of distinguished service, including roles as Commander at Hanscom AFB overseeing a $175M annual operations budget and liaising for four Program Executive Offices, Director of Contracting at Hanscom AFB leading a 525-member organization supporting a $43 billion portfolio, Defense Legislative Fellow, and Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of USAFE/AFAFRICA. She currently serves as Founder and CEO of Space Coast Solutions, LLC, driving strategic growth for innovative technology and defense firms. Enriquez holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Mexico and a Graduate Certificate in Congressional and Legislative Affairs from Georgetown University.

Todd Freece

Todd Freece, Oviedo, Fla., is currently on the AFA Board of Directors as National Director, East Area, and has previously served as a Chapter President. He spent more than 26 years as a USAF officer with positions at all levels across a diverse set of organizations and assignments including Astronautical Engineer, Space Operations Officer, and Commander. He currently serves as the AFA Florida State and Region President.