JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Fourteen San Antonio civic and business leaders were inducted into the 433rd Airlift Wing's Honorary Commanders Program during a ceremony March 7 in the city's downtown area.
The ceremony, hosted by Col. William W. Whittenberger, 433rd AW commander, is a time honored tradition, signifying the important ties between the military and civilian communities.
"Thank you for participating in the 433rd Airlift Wing Honorary Commanders Program," said Whittenberger to his guests. "I know how challenging it is to share one of life's most valuable resources - your time. It is our honor to have you as an Honorary Commander to collaborate with our wing. I consider you to be a key leadership element in strengthening the bond between the San Antonio community and the 433rd Airlift Wing."
The Honorary Commanders Program is an executive-level program intended as a forum in which the 433rd AW commander can solicit advice and support from civic leaders on matters affecting military and civilian communities while cementing the already strong ties between the Alamo Wing and the San Antonio community.
Also in attendance at this year's event, was Brig. Gen. John C. Flournoy Jr., 4th Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Brian C.L. Wong, 4th AF command chief master sergeant, who were visiting the Alamo Wing. During the ceremony the general spoke on the significance of the Honorary Commander program and its ability to provide community leaders with unique insight into the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
"Because of that constant dialogue and relationship, now if you have employees in your midst who are service members, whether they are Guard, Reserve, Army or Air Force, it doesn't matter, when they have to go serve, you know and understand what they're doing and that they are not just going out to the base and having a bunch of picnics and barbecues," said the general. "They are wearing chemical gear and they are making sure they are qualified to do exactly what our active duty counterparts are doing at the same standard.
"So congratulations and thank you for stepping up to this because I know it is a sacrifice out of your own time away from your families to be here. I can't thank you enough for everything that you're doing."
Each of the Alamo Wing's Honorary Commanders is paired with a leader within the wing. Throughout the year, the civilian and military counterparts get to know one another allowing the community leaders to better understand the importance of the U.S. Air Force Reserves and its mission, while giving the military leaders a better understanding and appreciation of the community in which they live.
During the ceremony, each honorary commander participated in a reenactment of an official military change of command ceremony - taking the unit's guidon from the "outgoing" military commander. The outgoing commanders then presented the honorary commanders with a command pin. The pin is worn by all U.S. Air Force squadron, group and wing commanders and represents the significance of the position a commander holds.
While only 14 of this year's Alamo Wing Honorary Commanders participated in the ceremony, there are 24 in all. This year's Honorary Commanders include:
Chuck Bunch, consultant with Forward March Inc.
Retired Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, franchised restaurant operator for the Chick-fil-a on S.W. Military Drive
Linda Cubero, warrior to work specialist with the Wounded Warrior Project
Glen Gross, chief of the Gastroenterology Division at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio
Lacy Hampton, vice president of college services at St. Phillip's College
Dr. Milton Harris, president and chairman of the Board for the 100 Black Men of San Antonio Inc.
Michael A. Jolla, senior pastor of The "Exciting" West End Baptist Church of San Antonio
David Kitchen, regional director of operations for Glazer's Distributors of Texas
Kelly Lerch, group talent Acquisition manager for Enterprise Holdings of South Texas
Audrey Magnuson, director of the University of Texas San Antonio University Career Center
Nathan McKinley, vice president of USAA's Military Affinity Group
Edward Murphree, assistant city attorney working for the City of San Antonio in the Development Services/Environmental Division of the Office of the City Attorney
John Nau, president and chief executive officer of Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P.
Amy T. Norton, director of business development for Provenir San Antonio Healthcare Recruiting Human Resources Consulting
Dr. Jackson M. Ombaba, emergency medicine doctor and general surgeon with South Texas Hand Center
Travis Pearson, chief executive officer of Family Endeavors, Inc.
Edward Christopher Pape, president of the Vaquero Consulting Group
Joe A. Perez, associate director for South Texas Veterans Health Care System
Steve Richmond, president and director of maintenance at Pizza Hut of San Antonio
Janice Ricks, vice president of Lester Industries
Dave Saylor, owner of Acadiana Café
John Iiyama Smith, immigration services officer II with the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office in San Antonio
Catherine Torres-Stahl, general counsel for the Bexar County Community Supervision and Corrections Department
Alan Warrick II, city of San Antonio councilman for District 2