Col. Brett Dolnick, Washington Wing commander and Civil Air Patrol national cyber defense mission team leader, will expand his CAP service to Pacific Region commander after being appointed to the post by Maj. Gen. Regena M. Aye, CAP’s national commander and CEO.
Dolnick’s recent responsibilities and nearly 40 years of CAP service “have prepared him for this new leadership role,” Aye said. “I look forward to working with him over the next three years as he leads the Pacific Region.”
Dolnick will assume command April 12 at the Oregon Wing Conference in McMinnville, succeeding Col. Virginia Nelson.
“I owe my successes to Civil Air Patrol and all I’ve learned,” Dolnick said. “I’m eager to give back by sharing my passion, knowledge, and energy to help move our programs forward and build a stronger future for our members.
“We have a unique opportunity to transform the way our region operates by embracing new ideas, sharing best practices, and fostering innovation. It’s crucial that we grow our (adult) member ranks, improve collaboration across wings, and engage passionate individuals at every level.
“By mentoring potential successors, focusing on key areas like cadet protection, airworthiness, safety, and stakeholder experience, we can shape a better future for all members,” he said. “Together, we’ll take small steps forward each day, learn from our mistakes, and build an even stronger organization for the next generation.”
In addition to commanding the Washington Wing since May 2022, Dolnick has led CAP’s national cyber defense mission since October 2020, responsible for all cyber education and operations activities across the organization.
He previously served as vice commander of the Pacific Region and of the California Wing after commanding the California Wing’s Diablo Composite Squadron 44 and San Francisco Bay Group 2. He also served as California Wing ground team training coordinator and deputy director of safety — North and as Colorado Wing director of professional development. He was chief instructor at Colorado Wing ground search and rescue schools in 1995-1996 and commandant of the California wing Ground Search and Rescue School at Camp Pendleton in 2010.
Dolnick is Master-rated in the Command and Cadet Programs specialty track, has a Senior rating in Emergency Services, and is Technician-rated in Aerospace, Safety, Operations, Flight Operations, and Standardization and Evaluation. He assisted in rewriting the Level 1 Professional Development program and is a Level 5 Volunteer University instructor.
He completed the Inspector General Senior Course and has served on staff at Hawk Mountain Ranger School and participated in Blue Beret. He has served on staff at two Colorado Wing and three California Wing encampments.
Dolnick is a senior pilot, an instrument and multi-engine instructor, a check pilot examiner and mission check pilot examiner, a ground team leader, ground and air branch director, and a planning section chief. He has also earned a Search and Rescue Technician II rating from the National Association for Search and Rescue and a Mountain Rescue Association Rescue rating.
Outside Civil Air Patrol, Dolnick is a partner with PwC (PriceWaterhouse Coopers), consulting with global Fortune 500 companies on their technology operations. He has been married for 23 years to his wife, Darcy, and has two children, both Eagle Scouts and former Civil Air Patrol members._____Maj. Maryan TookerDirector of Public AffairsPacific Region
