AFA Announces Lt. Gen. Richard Newton as Executive Vice-President

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Force Association today announced that Lt. Gen. Dick Newton, who retired from a 34-year career in the Air Force this past June, will be replacing David T. "Buck" Buckwalter as AFA's Executive Vice-President as of August 27, 2012.

Lt. Gen. Dick Newton retired as the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He oversaw the administration and organization of the Air Staff, which develops policies, plans and programs; establishes requirements; and provides resources to support the Air Force's mission. He also served as Deputy Chairman of the Air Force Council, and was the Air Force accreditation official for the international Corps of Air Attaches.

Born at Forbes Air Force Base, Kan., General Newton hailed from an Air Force family and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978. His command assignments include the first B-2 squadron, a B-1B operations group and a B-52 wing. He served at Headquarters U.S. Air Force as a planner, then executive officer for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, and later as Deputy Director for Strategic Plans and Future Systems for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel.

"Newton, an AFA life member, has been a great supporter of AFA while in uniform, and brings with him an exceptional military background," said David T. "Buck" Buckwalter, Acting President of AFA. "The excitement he has expressed about the prospects of working with AFA's leadership and the professional staff is invigorating, and we look forward to the energy and expertise he will bring."

"General Newton brings an outstanding military and academic track record, full of accomplishment," said Sandy Schlitt, AFA Chairman of the Board. "His time as Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel service as the Director of the Air Staff, his vision and his record of mission focus will extensively benefit AFA."

As AFA's top staff executive under the President, Newton will direct the association's professional staff and, in coordination with the President, be responsible for its day to day operations and management.

Buckwalter leaves AFA after having provided strong leadership and expertise. He leaves behind key accomplishments including: the development and expansion of AFA's flagship STEM program, CyberPatriot – the National High School Cyber Defense Competition, and completion of the Association's transition into an IRS 501 (c)(3) organization. While in the United States Air Force, Buckwalter served as a logistics group commander, component repair squadron commander, requirements action officer and executive officer on a major Air Force staff in Europe. Prior to becoming AFA's executive vice president, Buckwalter had served as an AFA Chapter, State, and Region President, as a Trustee of the Aerospace Education Foundation, and as chair of the national Strategic Planning and Constitution Committees. He served as National Director of the Air Force Association, 2004-07, and as Vice Chair of the Aerospace Education Council during 2007.

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 more than 108,000 members.  Visit AFA on the internet at www.afa.org.

SOURCE Air Force Association