Business transacted at the Aug. 9 meeting of the Edwards Civ-Mil Support Group directors included annual elections, reports on the Edwards improvements projects, and a recap of the barbeque and the Aerospace Appreciation weekend at the JetHawks.
The Airman’s Attic beautification project has been completed. Civ-Mil’s success in obtaining appliances to be donated to junior grade airmen has been outstanding. Plans are being made to systematize the needed base involvement. Civ-MIL will continue to solicit contributions of furniture, appliances and clothing.
The current project is refurbishing the flags and display poles at the Building 1 Flag Park. Three sets of flags have been ordered allowing for flags to be replaced periodically, as needed. The bronze placards at the base of the poles will be cleaned. Manpower for this effort is still being formulated with base personnel.
The barbecue was a success both as a way to foster mutual involvement by base commanders and the civilian community, and as a Civ-Mil fundraiser.
The preliminary report by Treasurer Bud Reams is that net profit was about $2,400. This will be used to find continuing base improvement projects. The board commended Chairman Bob Slade, his wife Michelle, and all the volunteers for the smoothest barbecue to date.
Another successful activity was participation in the JetHawks Aerospace Appreciation weekend. Sponsored boxes by most local firms and civic groups saw lots of friendly “smoozing” among attendees. And the refreshments lasted through the afternoon.
The board elected its new officers for 2013. Danny Bazzell moves up to president from vice president; James Welling, now secretary, becomes vice president; Julie Swayze will be secretary; and Reams remains as treasurer.
Members voted for seven directors to be seated in 20113. They include six who have agreed to serve again, and George Nagy as a new board member.
Their contributions to “serving those who serve us” at Edwards AFB and especially when deployed are greatly appreciated.
Col. Amy V. Arwood, director of staff for the 412th Test Wing at Edwards, attended the meeting. She expressed great appreciation to Civ-Mil, as Edwards in its new role as the Air Force Test Center, now looks up and out.
Incoming directors:
- George Nagy
Nagy is a newly elected director. He is President/CEO of Mojave Desert Bank, which has four offices in the Antelope Valley. He has been involved in Antelope Valley banking since 1980. His first position after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a bachelors degree in finance was as bank examiner for the FDIC. He served the FDIC for nine years, and left as a senior examiner. One of his sons-in-law is an Air Force major.
He currently also serves as a director of the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the Antelope Valley Board of Trade.
- Cathy Hart
Cathy Hart is a Local Public Affairs Manager for Southern California Edison. She leads a team of regional managers and support staff in the Antelope Valley, San Joaquin Valley, and Northeastern Sierra who work with local governments and build community relationships, providing local support for SCE and its customers in the region.
She previously served as executive director of the Antelope Valley Board of Trade [2004-2007]. She served as president of AVBOT for 2009-2010 and currently serves on its board of directors. She has actively worked to support the aerospace and defense industries in California; and was an honorary commander of the 95th Air Base Wing at Edwards.
While earning her bachelor’s degree, she worked as an intern for the district office of Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon. She has been an Antelope Valley resident since 1983.
- Bob Johnstone
After retiring from the Federal Civil Service at Edwards Air Force Base in January 1996, Johnstone formed The Aerospace Office, Inc; a non-profit, public benefit corporation.
The Aerospace Office serves as an aerospace consultant to the City of Lancaster, the Antelope Valley, State of California and the local aerospace industry.
Johnstone is co-chairman of the Board of Trade Education Committee working to bring a comprehensive university to the Aerospace Valley. He also formed the Math, Science, Engineering and Technology Consortium, which he chairs, to focus elementary, high school and community college activities on more math and science programs.
He was instrumental in bringing the national Project Lead the Way pre-engineering program to the local school districts. Johnstone serves as the technical adviser to the Edwards Community Alliance and is currently on the Civ-Mil board. He has served as honorary commander of the Air Force Test Pilot School and 412th Test Wing command chief.
- Bob Slade
Slade has been a member of the EAFB Civ-Mil Support Group for more than 20 years.
As well as serving as Civ-Mil barbecue chairman, he is a past president and currently serves on board. He is a founding member of the Flight Test Historical Foundation and serves on the board of directors.
Slade is a retired Los Angeles County Airport manager and a retired Kern County Sheriff’s Reserve deputy. He has been president of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, the Rosamond Chamber of Commerce, the Lancaster Rotary and is a past Honorary Mayor of Rosamond. He has been the manager of the Edwards AFB Aero Club.
- Mark Thompson
Thompson is a longtime resident and active member in various organizations in the Antelope Valley community. He is currently the senior attorney with the Thompson Von Tungeln law firm.
With more than 35 years experience, Thompson is a certified specialist in the field of probate, estate planning and trust law, and diligently participates in advanced continuing legal education.
He is an active member in the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Antelope Valley Bar Association.
Thompson has been a member and served on various community organizational boards in the past, namely, the Antelope Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Gift Foundation of Antelope Valley Hospital, the Rotary Club of Lancaster, the Antelope Valley College Foundation, the Antelope Valley Bar Association, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, the Lancaster Old Towne Site, and is an associate member of the A.V. Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
He is currently serving on the Edwards Civ-Mil board and the Lancaster Performing Arts Center Foundation.
- James Welling
Welling has been involved with the Civilian Military Support Group since 2003, and is currently secretary.
He worked for six years as field representative to Kern County 2nd District Supervisor. He has served as honorary commander of the 412th Test Wing. He is executive director of the California Defense Alliance, and was an associate director of the Antelope Valley Board of Trade. Since 1994, he has been president/vice president of the Boron Chamber of Commerce. He serves as director/vice president Muroc Health Care District; Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Working Committee; Base Support and Defense Industry Task Force; Mojave Resource Conservation & Development; East Kern Collaborative Group; Desert-Mountain Resource Conservation District; and Friends of Jawbone.
- Dr. Les Uhazy
Uhazy is dean and professor of biology, division of Mathematics, Science and Engineering at Antelope Valley College. He is the Kern County Representative, Community Liaison Program-Edwards AFB, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
He is a board member of The Aerospace Office; the Edwards Community Alliance-EKERN; and the Civ/Mil Support Group. He is also the Antelope Valley College Liaison to SOAR [Early College High School]; a director of the Palmdale Aerospace Academy; and a member of Math, Science, Engineering and Technology Consortium; and the Career Prep Council, Antelope Valley Union High School District
Installation of the Civ-Mil Officers and Directors will be Sept. 13 at the Antelope Valley University Grand Ballroom.
