AFA Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition Breaks Participation Record, Hosts Top-tier Sessions and Panels

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Sep 25, 2014, 01:00 ET

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Force Association concluded its annual Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition on Wednesday, September 17^th by celebrating the Air Force's 67^th birthday. Prior to the conference, AFA delegates held their 66^th Annual National Convention over the weekend which included 203 authorized delegates from 45 state delegations.

During the weekend long Convention, the AFA delegates elected new leaders and approved a Statement of Policy and Top Issues for 2014.

The following National Officers were elected or reelected for one year terms:

Scott Van Cleef (Fincastle, VA) – first term Chairman of the Board
David Dietsch (Arlington, TX) – first term Vice Chairman of the Board, Field Operations
Jerry E. White (Colorado Springs, CO) – third term Vice Chairman of the Board, Aerospace Education
Marvin L. "Marv" Tooman (Des Moines, IA) – second term National Secretary
Nora Ruebrook (Honolulu, HI) – first term National Treasurer

The following National Directors were elected for three-year terms:

Kevin Jackson (Washington, DC) – East Area Director
Gary North – (Fort Worth, TX) Director At-large
Kent Owsley – (Dayton, OH) Director At-large

The following Region Presidents were elected or reelected by the delegates from their region at the Annual Convention for one year terms:

Gavin "Mac" MacAloon (Central East - reelected)
Lee Barnby (Far West)
Dann Mattiza (Florida - reelected)
Paul Lyons (Great Lakes)
Russell Klatt (Midwest)
Ron Adams (New England)
Jim Simons (North Central - reelected)
Maxine Rauch (Northeast - reelected)
Mary Mayer (Northwest - reelected)
Bob George (Rocky Mountain)
Jim Mungenast (South Central - reelected)
John Allen (Southeast - reelected)
Ross Lampert (Southwest - reelected)
Riq Baldwin (Texoma - reelected)

With all newly elected positions, outgoing Chairman of the Board, George Muellner, will turn over the job to Scott Van Cleef on October 1, 2014.

Following the Convention, the three-day Air and Space Conference provided more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, over 50 sessions featuring 70 speakers that drew over 6,500 registered attendees to the conference.

The Spouse and Family Forum was widely attended, having registered 149 attendees. The event highlighted the importance of resiliency in military families and provided the opportunity for local spouses and families to connect with each other and spouses of Air Force leaders. Speakers form the event included Mrs. Betty Welsh, Mrs. Athena Cody, Dr. Mary Bartlett, and Dan Clark.

Session highlights included a discussion on the future of NATO by the Air Chiefs of three participating countries, speeches by Air Force leaders including Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody. The annual Four-Star Forum also bolstered a large crowd for the conference finale.

"This year's conference was a huge success. Our industry supporters provided great exhibits on the exposition floor and the speakers gave wonderful presentations on what you can expect from today's Air Force. AFA presented more than 60 awards throughout the conference and we commend the winners for their achievements," said George Muellner, AFA Chairman of the Board. "We can't thank the Air Force leadership enough for joining us and promoting a strong Air Force."

"We are incredibly proud of this year's conference and look forward to next year to be better than ever," said Muellner.

To access the audio and video from the speaker sessions, visit our conference website at www.afa.org/airspaceconf.

The 2015 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition will be held September 14-16, 2015. For more information on how you can be involved with AFA throughout the year, visit

www.afa.org.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage. To accomplish this, we:

EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security.
ADVOCATE for aerospace power and STEM education.
SUPPORT the Total Air Force family and promote aerospace education.

AFA has 200 chapters nationally and internationally representing 100,000 members. Visit AFA at www.afa.org.

SOURCE Air Force Association