AFA Elections | 2024 Candidates

Joe Abegg | Eastampton, N.J.

I am the current AFA New Jersey State President, past AFA N.J. State Executive Vice President, an AFA Life Member joining in 1981, and a current member of both the AFA Education Council and the new AFA Recruiting Task Force. I just retired as a United Airlines Captain (free travel for life). I retired after 29 years in the Air Force as both Officer and Enlisted, AF Command Pilot, CAP Command Pilot. I hold a BS in Aerospace Engineering, Masters in Management. I was the Arnold Air Society Squadron Commander, AFROTC Cadet Group Commander, flight test engineer at McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, graduate of SOS, ACSC, and AWC, and an Astronaut (select) for a Ansari X-Prize team. I was awarded the AFA Exceptional Service Medal, the AFA Medal of Merit, the CAP Distinctive Service Medal, four CAP Exceptional Service Medals, six CAP Meritorious Service Awards and three DoD Meritorious Service Medals. Most recently, I led the CAP contributions from 16 CAP Wings at the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War; advocated for CAP funding on Capital Hill for the tenth year; and was the National Activity Director for the sold-out Spaatz Association Award Gala with the Air Force Band and the CSAF as the keynote speaker.

Why are you running?
To give back and to pay forward in the best way that I know possible. I bring 42 years of active AFA service, 51 years in CAP service with executive leadership over Cyber Patriot teams, StellarXplorer teams, Flight Academies and Flight Scholarships. Note CAP has 30,000 cadets and 5,800 AEMs. My vast and diverse Aerospace Education background from CAP, to Industry, to AAS, to AFROTC, the airlines, the military, and the Boardroom will allow me to make a difference.

What skills will you bring to AFA’s Board?
I bring over 50 years of Aerospace Education background, and executive leadership starting with earning the CAP Billy Mitchell Award in 1974, earning a BS in Aerospace Engineering, a CAP Master Rating in Aerospace Education, earning the CAP Scott Crossfield, the Chuck Yeager and the Carl Spaatz Awards in Aerospace Education, Astronaut (sel) for an Ansari X-Prize team. I spent 41 years in the command/Captain seat in multiengine jet aircraft flying to six continents, operating high-level Top Secret missions in five continents, accruing almost 31,000 flying hours, and with 10 years consecutive experience advocating on Capitol Hill for CAP. I have proven senior executive leadership and oranizational skills on the state, federal, military, and international level to bring to the Board.

I am currently serving a second term as member Board of Directors of the Spaatz Association, as the President of the Eagles Advisory Group (72 Colonels), a second term as AFA’s N.J. State President, AFA’s NJ State Executive Vice President. I’ve chaired five CAP Finance Committees, I’m a three-time CAP Squadron Commander, CAP Group Commander, and CAP Wing Commander.

A Message from Joe Abegg

Gary Copsey | Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas

I served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a colonel. Instructor Pilot (IP) and Flight Examiner in helicopters at formal school; developed new training programs for USAF IPs; developed night vision goggle training; Squadron Assistant Chief Pilot and IP in C-141s; Chief, SOF and Rescue Branch, HQ MAC Plans and Programs; Chief of Protocol HQ MAC and USTRANSCOM; Deputy Chief of Staff OPS/PLANS, US Forces Azores; Deputy Director Command and Control and Director, Ops Management, HQ AMC TACC; Chief of Staff, Inter American Defense Board and College (Wash DC); Commander, AFROTC Det. 930, Marquette University.

While in AFROTC, I was selected to command Ellsworth II Field Training with 325 cadets. Had to establish relationships with base leadership as a tenant org. Nine years at USAA leading training design and development teams for training at the USAA Bank and for New Employee Orientation. Served as Lead Learning/Performance Consultant where I advised senior leaders at USAA. Direct report to SVP. Selected as HR “Volunteer of the Year” based on work with AFA. Bottom line: I spent both my careers in service to people by helping them succeed. In turn, helping organizations succeed.

Why are you running?
With over 10 years on the Field Council and six on the Education Council, I have the experience, skills and background to be a servant leader as VCED. I’m deeply committed to the mission of AFA and STEM education. I’ve seen it from grass roots chapter level through region as a Region President. My goal, if selected: further the great work that’s been done, come up with new ideas from the field: listen to the membership, and take action if feasible. Look for and find solutions to issues.

What skills will you bring to AFA’s Board?
My skills range from broad leadership and resource management experience at HQ level and as a commander to being a servant leader by ensuring people had resources and freedom to succeed in their roles. I’ve been and am on boards, and understand the inner workings. My experience on AFA’s Field Council and Education Council; as a CAP cadet and Sq CC; my background in training and development; my experience as an AAS member and now on the Board of Trustees since 2005; my experience as AFA TX Aerospace Education Foundation Chair and member of the Alamo AEF; and serving as a member of the San Antonio Space and Engineering Technologies Academy Board of Advisors place me in a good position to grasp the role and move AFA Education forward, and help envision and execute changes to improve AFA.

I currently serve on the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings Board of Trustees, 2005 to present. Arnold Air Society/Angel Flight Silver Wings Education Fund (ASEF) Board of Directors from its start until today. Until recently, served as ASEF secretary for several years. I serve as the registered agent in Texas as it is a Texas Based 501(C)(3). SETA in paragraph 3 is advisory role only.

A Message from Gary Copsey

Paul Hendricks | Spicewood, Texas

I am an AFA Life Member (49 years). I have extensive management experience while serving as an Air Force officer (20 years) and as a Program Manager for Boeing (21 years). As the Fairview, TX Town Council Mayor Pro Tem (6 years), I maintained community balance. Founded the Veterans Center of North Texas providing social work to Veterans and their families. I was recognized as the Fairview Outstanding Citizen of the Year, the “Hero of the Year”, and the Outstanding Volunteer Social Worker of the Year. As the Trinity Presbyterian Church the Clerk of Session (Board Secretary) (10 years), I developed agendas, called and officiated meetings, maintained parliamentary procedures, developed meeting minutes, tracked action items, and produced statistical reports. As the AFA Deputy Chief of Staff, Vietnam 50th Celebration Committee, I scheduled and coordinated meetings, maintained organizational contacts, developed schedules, conducted critical path analyses, performed financial assessments, and developed meeting minutes and tracked action items.

Jackie Trotter | Warner Robins, Ga.

I served 11 years on active duty and 22 years as a reservist (primarily ART/AGR tours) in the Air Force as a public affairs officer. When not on active duty I served in public affairs and publications management as a civilian. After my retirement from both the military and civilian positions, I worked for the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. Those jobs gave me extensive experience in working with both non-profit organization volunteers and governing boards.

Bobi Oates | Las Vegas, Nev.

I served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as Senior Master Sgt. in Aircraft Maintenance. I spent nine years at the Armed Forces Bank, seven years as Exchange branch manager. I have spent 14 years active with AFA in Chapter positions: VP, Treasurer, President, 3 1/2 yr Southwest Region President, and more than two years as the National Director, West Area. I have worked several years with the Wounded Warrior Trials & Caregiver events at Nellis. I have worked closely with the leadership at both Nellis & Creech AFBs to promote AFA and to support bases. I’m a part of the larger Las Vegas Veterans community, working with them to help our Airmen, Guardians, Families, and Veterans. I’m a member of the Advocacy and Region President subcommittee, member of the Finance committee, and help with the Field Council on whatever is needed.

 Wesley P. Hallman | Washington, D.C.

I served 27 years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring as a Colonel. My last assignment was as the Chief Air Force Liaison to the House of Representatives. Prior to Congress, I served in several flying and staff positions including commanding a squadron and a fighter group. I was a White House Fellow, serving as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture, and my staff assignments included AFCENT Forward Chief of Staff and the Joint Staff J5. 

I was formerly the Senior Vice President for Strategy & Policy at the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and am now a private sector Executive Vice President and Head of Washington Operations. I have a B.S. from the Air Force Academy and graduate degrees from The Ohio State University, the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and the Eisenhower School. 

I serve on the Falcon Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the parent board of School Without Walls, and as a mentor for the White House Fellows program. 

Dan “Ohno” Ohnesorge | Tulsa, Okla.

I am a retired USAF Colonel. I served as a pilot principally flying fighter type aircraft (F-4, F-16) both in CONUS and several overseas locations including Korea, Germany, Italy and Turkey. I also served in assignments on the USAFE staff, NATO staff, and ACC staff. My final assignment was as Vice Commander and Instructor Pilot at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. After retiring in late 2003, I worked as Deputy Program Manager and then Program Manager for the “Umbrella” contract supporting Vance AFB. 

In 2008 I was hired as Director of the Woodring Regional Airport, located approximately 5 miles east of Vance. In this position, I was responsible for several significant improvements to the airport. Any project that aided the military would also benefit our civilian fliers. We built a large joint-use hangar, joint-use parking ramp and extended the primary runway to 8,000 feet so T-38s could land there. In short, my entire adult life has been spent either on active duty or supporting the USAF. 

Doug “Odie” Slocum | Macomb, Mich.

I have served as the Michigan State AFA president and the Chapter 179 President since January 2021. We have expanded in scope, membership, and impact every year. We’re pioneering a single-entity organizational structure to streamline administration and maximize efforts on community engagement. We’ve also introduced virtual events.

My professional background includes 35 years in uniform retiring in 2019 as a Brigadier General. My experience includes executive leadership and management at local, state, national, and international levels capping my career as the Commander of Selfridge ANGB and the 127th Wing, where I turned the Wing from one of the most stressed/lowest performing organizations in the ANG to the award-winning “best Wing in the ANG” within two years. Prior to Selfridge, I innovated and introduced safety/human factors programs to maintenance and logistics career fields across the USAF as well as suicide prevention and resiliency. I am a career fighter pilot with more than 4,000 hours in F-4, F-16, & A-10 aircraft.