Page 5 - Nov2024Communicator

Report

From the Chairman and CEO

Honor the past while creating our future

What a gathering in Dayton for our 2024 annual As noted in a recent
convention and reunion! I imagine you will enjoy AFCATCA-wide email, one
the pictures from the event in this, another superb of our key discussions is the
Communicator. This year’s hosts--Leslie challenge we face as an
McCormick, Jay Adsit, and Paul Williams – outdid Association. Our
themselves, working around hotel construction, membership age is
tropical storm rainfall, and logistics changes due to increasing, our revenue
both. A huge salute! streams are decreasing, Chad Raduege
On the social side, our Annual Awards dinner and fundraising efforts are
allowed the opportunity to honor many, to include stagnant. We’ve launched a “Task Force” to
our active duty Department of the Air Force award address all three. Our initial report is due back to
winners: Air Traffic Controller of the Year (MSgt our Board of Directors in December; I’m optimistic
Christopher Farwick), ATC Enlisted Manager of we will find innovative ideas to evolve our
the Year (SSgt Tristian Horne), Cyberspace organization to new heights.
Operations NCO of the Year (TSgt Paul Leavens), Our Association was built on the “shoulders of
and Cyberspace Operations Senior NCO of the giants.” As our name indicates, AFCATCA focuses
Year (MSgt Joseph Brodeur Jr). In addition, we on our Cyberspace and Air Traffic Controller
inducted three richly deserving leaders into our professionals and today’s modern battlefield needs
AFCATCA Hall of Honor: Woody Hall, Tom our experience, leadership, and mentorship more
Blackburn, and Greg Touhill. Finally, we honored than ever!
Jay Adsit with the Thomas F. Buckley Award for As always, our deepest thanks to all our
service to our organization and concluded the Communicator contributors along with a special
evening with a long-overdue honoring to Ken Reiff thank you to Lori Manske, our Print Media Editor,
with the Hank Sauer Lifetime Achievement for another historic publication. Soon, as well, we
Award. will welcome Kevin Kirsch Jr. to the editor team to
On the business side, I’m continually thankful for assist Lori in this time-consuming, yet much
the dedication and leadership of AFCATCA Board appreciated, magazine.
of Directors and thoroughly enjoyed two in-person Finally, your Board of Directors and I welcome
sessions. Some big changes have taken place. Most any comments and suggestions. Please feel free to
notably, Ken Reiff, after years of faithful service, email me at chadraduege@gmail.com.
has groomed his “successor, not replacement” in Mark your calendars for our 2025 Convention in
Jay Adsit, as our new AFCATCA President. We San Antonio, from Oct 7-12. Until then, take care
publicly thank Ken for leadership and vision; and and God Bless!
wish Jay Adsit strength and purpose as he
assumes this important position. Respectfully,
Our AFCATCA Secretary, Dale Drake, has
stepped down to pursue proper work-life balance, Chad Raduege
and while the search continues for our next Chairman and CEO, AFCATCA
Secretary, a huge thank you to Ed Broestl for his
“service before self” mentality and assumption of “Fellowship in the Company of Equals”
the temporary duties.
How it started

What turned out to be the first AACS Alumni
Association meeting was held in Columbus, Ohio, in
1977. “Our Association
The meeting was hosted by Larry Camp and his was built on the
wife, Doris. This meeting came about as a result of a
conversation with “Dux” and Pearl LeDoux and was ‘shoulders of
planned as a poker weekend in Columbus. giants’.”
This initial group established the high standards
that continue to drive the now AF Cyberspace and Air
Traffic Control Association and we owe them and all
the individuals who attended that first meeting/
reunion a big thank you.

Air Force Cyberspace and Air Traffic Control Association 5