New Faces Join General Staff

The Commemorative Air Force has announced the results of its recent election, bringing on Kathy Mizell's 2nd term and 2 new members.

The 11-person General Staff is the oversight body of the CAF, meeting throughout the year to monitor the organization's state and sustainability. It's important work, given the complexity and cost inherent to keeping vintage warbirds operable and safe. General Staff members are voted on by CAF members, though their meetings are open to all CAF members at the Colonel or higher level. Agenda items are available upon request, or can be added on request through Diana Bueno, Chief of Staff.

The new members, Rodney Burchfield and Dan Fordice, will start their first terms in January. Burchfield has been a member since 2018, and currently serves on the board of the American Airpower Heritage Museum Board. He brings a quarter century of experience in private and public real estate development, and was "instrumental in the Commemorative Air Force National Airbase relocation to Dallas, Texas." He assisted in securing New Market Tax Credits for the development of the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center, too, further highlighting his utility to the CAF.

Dan Fordice is a Platinum Life Member, having joined the CAF in 2003. The 2nd generation pilot was an Army man for years, serving in the 3rd Infantry Division's 10th Engineer Battalion. His degree in construction engineering served him well, allowing him to transition to the family business and make it to Captain wtih the Mississippi NG's 2/20th Special Forces Battalion. Along the way, he climbed the ranks to become VP of the Fordice Construction Company, as well as obtain a commercial pilot license with seaplane, instrument, and multi-engine add-ons. He sports 7,400 flight hours in his logbook. Fordice is a die hard aircraft fan, having been in several CAF units, served as Mississippi Wing Leader, and founder of the Southern Heritage Air Foundation.

FMI: www.commemorativeairforce.org