Full biographies for AFA Nominees
Chairman of the Board
Joseph E. Sutter, Knoxville, Tenn., nominated for a second one-year term. He is a Life Member and has been active in AFA since 1987, serving on the Board of Trustees of the Aerospace Education Foundation (now part of AFA) and in AFA at chapter, state, and national levels. Nationally, he was Vice Chairman of the Board-Field Operations, National Director, Chairman of AFA’s Strategic Planning Committee, and Chairman of the afa21 Governance Team. He received the AFA Chairman’s Citation, AFA Presidential Citation, Exceptional Service Award, and Medal of Merit, and was twice AFA Tennessee Volunteer Member of the Year. Sutter is past President of the Rotary Club of Knoxville and the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council, and sits on the Board of a Tennessee health care system. He served on active duty 28 years, mostly in ICBM units, commanding a missile squadron, operations group, and wing, and had staff assignments at the Pentagon and in major commands. Sutter received a bachelor’s degree from University of Florida and master’s degree from University of Southern California, and is a graduate of the Naval War College, College of Command and Staff, and Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He now consults on defense matters to USAF and other clients.
Vice Chairman for Aerospace Education
S. Sanford Schlitt, Sarasota, Fla., nominated for a third one-year term. He served as an AEF Trustee and, after AEF and AFA merged in 2006, on AFA’s Board of Directors. He was a member of the afa21 Governance Team and was architect of the Aerospace Education Council and Field Council concepts. He served on the AEF Nominating and Program Committees, AFA Strategic Planning and Constitution Committees, as Chair of the AEF Audit Committee, and Co-Chair of the AFA/AEF Audit Committee. Schlitt served on the staffs of Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey and Sen. Walter Mondale and, in 1980, stood for Congress. He established (or purchased) and sold (or successfully liquidated) several companies, also serving as Chairman of one firm and board member of a NASDAQ-listed company. He was commissioned into the West Virginia ANG, transferred to the Reserve, and served 34 years in various assignments, mainly in contracts management and acquisition. Schlitt retired in 2001 as a brigadier general. He holds a degree from The American University and also attended SOS, ACSC, AWC, and the Leadership Institute at Eckerd College. He is Senior Managing Director of a mortgage investment trust, with responsibilities for financial portfolio management.
Vice Chairman for Field Operations
James R. Lauducci, Alexandria, Va., nominated for second one-year term. Lauducci is a Life Member and has served in many AFA positions. He is past President of the Steele Chapter in Northern Virginia, and is a former Virginia State President, VP Programs, VP Special Projects, and VP Membership. At the national level, Lauducci served on AFA’s afa21 Governance Task Force, Membership Committee (two years as Chairman), Strategic Planning Committee, Nominating Committee, and as a National Director. Lauducci was Virginia AFA’s Member of the Year and was awarded AFA’s Medal of Merit, Exceptional Service Award, and Presidential Citation. He spent 24 years on active duty, serving in communications and information-related assignments at Strategic Air Command, NORAD, Joint Staff, NATO, and USAF Secretariat. He is a 2007 inductee into the Air Force Communications and Information Hall of Fame. In private industry, he has held posts in program management, government relations, and business development. Lauducci holds a bachelor’s degree from LeMoyne College and master’s degree from Troy State University. He was also a Senior Executive Fellow at Harvard University’s JFK School of Government. He is currently Director of Air Force Field Marketing for Harris Corp.
National Treasurer
Steven R. Lundgren, Fairbanks, Alaska, nominated for a fifth and final one-year term. Lundgren has been an AFA member for 27 years and has served in many leadership posts, including Chapter, State, and Region President. He chairs the AFA Finance Committee and President’s Evaluation and Compensation Committee. He also received the Exceptional Service Award and Presidential Citation. Lundgren’s professional career of more than 30 years has been spent entirely within the financial services industry. In Alaska, he is also active as a leader in civic organizations, serving as Chairman of Fairbanks Economic Development Corp. and on the Board of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce. In the military field, he is a member of the Alaskan Command Civilian Advisory Board and Greater Fairbanks Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee, and is Vice Chairman of the Alaska State Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. He received top ESGR volunteerism awards, the Honorary Iceman Award-Eielson AFB, Alaska, and Alaska Commendation Medal. Lundgren holds a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and has completed graduate work at Portland State University and University of Alaska, plus studies at professional schools. He is Executive Vice President of Denali State Bank, Fairbanks.
The Nominating Committee submits two names—Joan Sell and Marvin L. Tooman—as candidates for a one-year term as National Secretary.
National Secretary
Joan Sell, Colorado Springs, Colo., nominated for a first one-year term. Sell has been an active member of AFA since 1993 and is a Life Member. She has been a Community Partner since 1995. She has served as the Lance P. Sijan Chapter President, leading the chapter when it received the Donald W. Steele Sr. Memorial Award as Unit of the Year. She has also served as Colorado State President and is currently the Rocky Mountain Region President. Nationally, Sell was a member of the first class of the Field Council, chaired the Credentials Committee, and served on the Long-Range Planning Committee, and she has twice received the AFA Presidential Citation. She served six years on the board of the Colorado Aerospace Education Foundation (three as Chairwoman); 16 years on the Rocky Mountain Chapter Board of the National Defense Industrial Association (two as President); 10 years on the board of the Peterson Air and Space Museum (five as Director of Development; six years on the Armed Services YMCA Board; three years on the board of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce; and five years as Co-chair of the Care & Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado’s annual fundraiser, “Taste of the Springs.” Sell enjoyed a 40-year career in the aerospace industry, retiring as a Director of Business Development. She also provided program development direction for Air Force Space Command, NORAD, US Northern Command, and Space and Missile Systems Center. She owns and operates a full-service spa in Falcon, Colo.
National Secretary
Marvin L. Tooman, West Des Moines, Iowa, nominated for a first one-year term. Tooman has been an AFA member since 1991 and is a Life Member. During his undergraduate studies, he was a member of the Arnold Air Society. Within AFA, he has served as Gen. Charles A. Horner Chapter President, Iowa State President, and Midwest Region President. Nationally, he is a member of the Field Council and has previously served on the Membership Committee. Tooman is recipient of the AFA Medal of Merit and Exceptional Service Award and was Midwest Member of the Year 2004. Tooman has served as President and CEO of a regional health care corporation providing rehabilitation services for individuals with brain injury. He served as a volunteer as Secretary and then President of the National Association of Health Facility Survey Agencies. In the Air Force, Tooman served five years on active duty as Electronic Combat Countermeasures Officer on a B-52 and 22 years in the 132nd Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard. Within this unit, he was Chief of Base Administration, Chief of Personnel, Wing Electronic Combat Measures Officer, Chief of Intelligence, and Support Group Commander. Tooman holds a bachelor’s and doctoral degree from Drake University and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. He retired as Iowa’s Chief Regulator for Health Care.
The Nominating Committee submits two names—Wayne R. Kauffman and Peter D. Robinson—for National Director, West geographic area. One will be elected.
National Director West
Wayne R. Kauffman, Agoura, Calif., nominated for a first one-year term. Kauffman has been an AFA member since 2000. He has served as President and Vice President of Gen. B. A. Schriever Chapter in Los Angeles, California Area Vice President, California State Senior Vice President, and California State President and is currently serving as Far West Region President. He has also served on the AFA National Audit Committee. He has received the AFA Medal of Merit along with numerous state awards. In addition to his active involvement in AFA, he is a member of a number of other professional organizations, including the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), AFCEA, Association of the US Army, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the California Space Authority. Kauffman has worked for a number of leading aerospace firms in the Los Angeles area. Before that, he served for two years in the US Army at the Aviation Test Board, Ft. Rucker, Ala., where he was involved in helicopter testing and served as a project manager. Kauffman holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida. He is now Raytheon’s Director of the Corporate Business Development Office for the Greater Los Angeles Area.
National Director West
Peter D. Robinson, Albuquerque, N.M., nominated for a first one-year term. Robinson has been an AFA member since the 1950s. He has been the New Mexico State President and the Southwest Region President and is currently serving as the New Mexico State Treasurer. He has received the AFA Medal of Merit. He is active in Daedalians and has been on the board of two nonprofit organizations in the area. He is currently Treasurer for Catholic Charities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe and has been active with that organization for 13 years. He retired with 33 years of active duty in USAF. His assignments included fighter operations, personnel, testing, training, and education. He flew 435 combat missions in Vietnam and commanded six different organizations at squadron level and above. After retirement from the Air Force, he consulted privately on defense issues. Robinson is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy and holds a master’s degree from Pepperdine University. He also studied for two years at University of Freiburg in Germany. He completed SOS, Air Command and Staff College, the Air War College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. He is now supporting nonprofit activities in Albuquerque.
The Nominating Committee submits five names—Karen L. Halstead, Larry Lawson, William R. Looney III, Eric P. Taylor, and David L. Veseley—for National Director at-large. Two will be elected.
National Director at Large
Karen L. Halstead, Tucson, Ariz., nominated for a first one-year term. Halstead joined AFA in 1983 and has been involved in it ever since. She has served as Tucson Chapter President and now is Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications. She has received the AFA Medal of Merit, the Exceptional Service Award, and the Chairman’s Citation, and was President of the Tucson Chapter when it was recognized for special community achievement. Under her leadership, the Tucson Chapter created a charitable foundation to accept donations for programs to help deployed airmen, their families, and airmen with financial needs who are unable to qualify for other aid programs. In the Air Force, Halstead served in the public affairs career field and wrote for several military publications. Halstead has served her community as a member of Tucson’s Military Community Relations Committee and a member of the Arizona Governor’s Veterans’ Roundtable Panel 2008. She was recently recognized as the Air Combat Command Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian of the Year 2008. Halstead currently serves as the Chairman of the Board-CEO, Tucson Community Cares Foundation Inc. and active member of the Board of Directors, STARBASE Arizona Inc.
National Director at Large
Larry Lawson, Atlanta, Ga., nominated for a first one-year term. Lawson is a Life Member of AFA and has hosted and participated in numerous AFA events, briefings, and forums. Lawson, an engineer by profession, is a senior member of National Defense Industrial Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the National Management Association, from which he received the Silver Knight of Leadership Award in 2008. He is active in his community and serves on the American Diabetes Fund Raising Board and was formerly on the Kid’s House Board of Directors. He volunteers for educational outreach programs such as Society of Automotive Engineers, leadership forums, and Atlanta’s Good Fathers Summit. Lawson was named the Atlanta Father of the Year in 2007. He is an ardent supporter of the US Air Force, having dedicated to it more than 30 years of professional service. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Lawrence Technological University and a master’s degree from University of Missouri. In addition, he is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and was an MIT Seminar XXI Fellow. He is today Executive Vice President and General Manager of the F-22 Program at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Marietta, Ga.
National Director at Large
William R. Looney III, of Garden Ridge, Tex., nominated for a first one-year term. Looney became a Life Member of AFA in 1972 and was a supporter of AFA during his time in uniform. He has been recognized by AFA as the 2002 California Person of the Year, 2003 Schriever Fellow, and 2008 Vandenberg Recipient. In addition, Looney has served as a member of AFA’s Force Capabilities Committee, AFA’s policy advisory group. Looney retired in 2008 as a general, after 36 years of active duty service. During his military career, Looney commanded air, space, and acquisition organizations in Air Combat Command, US Air Forces in Europe, Air Force Space Command, and Air Force Materiel Command. His last assignment was commander of Air Education and Training Command. Looney acquired a bachelor’s degree from the United States Air Force Academy and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. He also attended Squadron Officer School, Armed Forces Staff College, National War College, as well as various other professional courses. Looney is now consulting on defense issues.
National Director at Large
Eric P. Taylor, West Grove, Pa., nominated for a first one-year term. Taylor has been a member of AFA since joining the Arnold Air Society in 1957. He has served as President at the chapter and region levels and as State President of two states and in two different regions. He is currently serving as the Pennsylvania State Vice President for Leadership Development and Membership. Nationally, he is a member of the Field Council and is in his fourth year on the Strategic Planning Committee. Taylor has been awarded the AFA Medal of Merit, the Exceptional Service Award, the Presidential Citation, and the Outstanding State Organization while New Hampshire State President. Taylor retired after 23 years’ service in USAF—first as a Maintenance Officer for aircraft and ICBMs and then as an officer in systems development and acquisition of tactical weapons. He served in assignments on the Air Staff and at major command level. Upon retirement, Taylor worked for 16 years in the defense industry. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from University of Southern California. He is also a graduate of ICAF, in residence. Taylor is now in his third career in a family-owned business.
National Director at Large
David L. Vesely, of Lusby, Md., nominated for a first one-year term. Veseley is a Life Member who joined AFA in 1974. He has been an active member of the Board of Directors of Nation’s Capital Chapter and a supporter of chapters across AFA. Vesely spent 33 years on active duty in the Air Force, retiring in 1999 as a lieutenant general. His final assignment was assistant vice chief of staff, Hq. USAF. He held numerous command and staff positions, primarily in operational units in the US and Europe. Vesely commanded an Air Force squadron, wing, and the 14th Air Force “Flying Tigers.” He commanded two centers, the Air Force-Army Warrior Preparation Center in Germany and Space Warfare Center in Colorado. Vesely’s staff assignments included positions at NATO’s Southern Command, on the staff of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Joint Staff, and Hq. USAF. Vesely holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan Technological University and a master’s degree from Auburn University. He attended Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. He is Senior Vice President and Air Force Strategic Account Executive for Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va.