For Colonels Ned Lee and Christine “Chris” Lee, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was never just an after-school activity. It became the foundation for a lifetime of leadership, service, and shared purpose spanning more than five decades, multiple continents, and careers at the highest levels of public service.
Both longtime members of Civil Air Patrol’s California Wing, Ned and Chris joined CAP as teenagers in the late 1960s. Chris began her journey in 1968, followed by Ned in 1969. What started as cadet participation became a formative experience shaping how they would lead, serve, and grow both individually and together.
“Civil Air Patrol taught us how to lead, serve, and grow, together and for life,”
From Cadets to Leaders
As cadets, both Lees achieved CAP’s highest cadet milestone, the General Carl A. Spaatz Award. Chris earned Spaatz Award No. 235, while Ned earned No. 356. While they knew each other during their cadet years, their relationship began later, when they worked side by side as adult Tactical Officers at a California Wing encampment in 1977.
During that experience, they discovered shared values, mutual respect, a sense of humor, and a commitment to service formed a strong foundation. Those qualities carried them through marriage in 1981 and more than four decades of partnership.
They went on to become one of CAP’s Spaatz-to-Spaatz married couples and are believed to be the first to raise a Mitchell Award cadet, their daughter Joanna, extending CAP’s influence to the next generation.
Colonels Ned Lee and Christine “Chris” Lee
Lifetime Leadership Lessons
The skills learned through CAP proved remarkably transferable. The Lees credit CAP with teaching them how to plan in detail, communicate clearly, lead and manage teams, accept constructive feedback, and commit to continuous improvement. Those lessons became cornerstones of their professional lives.
“CAP directly prepared us for adult careers in public service, law, human resources, the military, and diplomacy. The leadership, discipline, and teamwork learned in CAP proved transferable across every professional environment.”
For Ned, those lessons carried directly into high-stakes environments. His career began in law enforcement in 1978, followed by service as a Deputy District Attorney, a Municipal Court Judge, and later election to the California Superior Court. In 2020, he was appointed by the U.S. Attorney General as a U.S. Immigration Judge. Since 2023, he has served internationally as the Senior Justice Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Concurrently, Ned served as an Infantryman in the California Army National Guard from 1982 to 2002, with deployments to Ukraine, Japan, and Panama. He credits his CAP experience with preparing him to lead soldiers in chaotic and dangerous conditions where clear thinking, teamwork, and calm leadership are essential.
Chris followed a different but equally impactful path. She built a successful career as a Silicon Valley human resources executive, starting with several early-stage startups before moving into leadership roles at eBay and later PayPal, where she retired in 2018. Throughout her professional career, she remained continuously active in CAP, mentoring cadets and supporting senior member programs.
A Commitment to Mentorship and Service
Despite demanding careers and international assignments, CAP remained a constant presence in their lives. Today, both Colonels Lee are assigned to the Pacific Region Headquarters Staff, continuing their service to the organization responsible for shaping their leadership foundation.
Their commitment reflects one of CAP’s enduring strengths, the ability to instill a lifelong dedication to mentoring others. For the Lees, leadership was never about rank alone. It focused on developing people, supporting teams, and leaving organizations stronger than they found them.
This philosophy extends into their family life. Married for 44 years as of December 2025, they are parents to two adult daughters and enjoy a growing extended family. Wherever life has taken them, from California to Bosnia and Herzegovina, family, service, and curiosity about the world remain central.
Colonels Ned Lee and Christine “Chris” Lee
Advice for the Next Generation
When asked what guidance they would offer today’s cadets and young leaders, their message remains simple and enduring.
“Choose a partner who shares your values. Support each other’s call to serve. Keep learning, keep mentoring, and never stop growing together.”
Their story stands as a testament to Civil Air Patrol’s mission of shaping confident, capable leaders prepared to serve their communities, their nation, and the world. For Ned and Chris Lee, CAP did not simply shape their futures. It helped them build a life of purpose together. If you’re a former cadet, consider joining Civil Air Patrol Alumni & Friends.
