New CAP Leaders Participating in Commanders College

Two new Civil Air Patrol region commanders and 11 wing commanders are honing their leadership skills Nov. 7-9  at the 2022 Region and Wing Commanders College at National Headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

"It is an honor to serve as the Region and Wing Commanders College director,” said Col. Rose Hunt, Great Lakes Region commander, who is overseeing the leadership training with co-director Col. Joe Winter.

“The college is designed to provide new region and wing commanders the tools and resources needed for a successful command,” Hunt said. “Additionally, our curriculum leverages education, training, and subject matter expertise to produce adaptable, creative, and knowledgeable commanders."

Participants in the graduate-level course were selected by their region commanders and approved by Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, CAP national commander/CEO.

The college uses presentations, case studies, and practicums to help new commanders focus on three main blocks of study: leading the organization, wing commander responsibilities, and focus lessons.

The curriculum includes seminars, lectures, and hands-on sessions on such topics as leadership, accountability, expectations of commanders, legislative affairs, safety, ethics, legal matters, finances, and resources.

Participants will gain a better understanding of how to select and develop subordinate unit commanders and how to manage CAP’s emergency services, aerospace education, cadet, information technology, membership development, and logistics programs.

Course highlights include presentations from Phelka and Brig. Gen. Regena Aye, national vice commander. Both were on hand for a Tuesday session on “Anatomy of a Successful CAP Leader.”

Also scheduled are presentations by CAP-USAF’s commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Tyler Frander; John Salvador, Civil Air Patrol’s chief operating officer; and numerous directors, assistant directors, and subject-matter experts at National Headquarters.

The 2022 participants are:

Mid-Atlantic Region
Col. Eugene L. Egry III

Pacific Region
Col. Virginia Nelson

Delaware Wing
Col. Robert Hotchkiss Jr.

Hawaii Wing
Col. Stacy Haruguchi

Kansas Wing
Col. Mark Lahan

Louisiana Wing
Col. James Viney

Nebraska Wing
Col. Dale Wuster

Puerto Rico Wing
Lt. Col. Juan Rodriguez

Rhode Island Wing
Col. Philip Hirons

South Dakota Wing
Col. Michael Marek

Washington Wing
Col. Brett Dolnick

Wisconsin Wing
Col. Patrick Gaylord

Wyoming Wing
Col. Harold “Ken” Johnston