36112,
20
October
2020
|
15:31 PM
America/Chicago

Spaatz Assn. Gains New President, VP

The Spaatz Association, the organization for recipients of Civil Air Patrol's premier cadet honor, has new executive leaders who also fill leadership positions for their CAP wings.

Col. Janon D. Ellis, National Capital Wing commander, is the group’s new president, succeeding U.S. Air Force Gen. Ted Bowlds. Ellis served asSpaatz Association vice president beginning in 2012, having previously served as CAP National Headquarters liaison and as a member of the association’s board of directors.

Capt. Matthew Chirik succeeds Ellis as vice president. Chirik is the Pennsylvania Wing’s public affairs officer as well as Philadelphia Composite Squadron 103 commander. He previously served as a member of the group’s board of directors and is National Headquarters liaison.

The Spaatz Association provides charitable assistance, guidance and other support to organizations and individuals supporting aerospace or emergency services activities and/or youth programs dedicated to producing the nation’s future leaders.

It also provides networking opportunities for recipients of the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, achieved by less than one-half of 1% of all CA{ cadets.

Lt. Col. Jay Sliwinski, Minnesota Wing government relations adviser, serves as the group’s national secretary.

The board of directors consists of:

  • Col. Austyn Granville of the Florida Wing’s Lantana Composite Squadron
     
  • Col. Larry Trick – director of plans and programs for the Mid-Atlantic Region
     
  • Lt. Col. Aaron Angelini – director of recruiting and retention for the Great Lakes Region and the Indiana Wing
     
  • Lt. Col. Antonio Barroso – director of emergency services for the National Capital Wing’s Challenger 1 Cadet Squadron
     
  • Lt. Col. Elizabeth Sydow – national diversity officer
     
  • Maj. Todd Mandel – director of cadet programs and public affairs officer for the Wisconsin Wing
     
  • Capt. Klara Olcott – commander of the Arizona Wing’s 388th Composite Squadron

Angelini succeeds Cadet Col. Ryan Hebert of the Kentucky Wing’s Stuart Powell Cadet Squadron, who left to focus on his studies as a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet, on the board.

Any Spaatz award recipient interested in supporting the association can email secretary@spaatz.org or visit spaatz.org.