AFEV Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DENNIS (NICK) NICHOLSON, SMSgt, USAF, Ret.

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD CHAIRMAN

Nick Nicholson has been a small business owner and financial counselor. He grew up in Canton, Ohio and entered the US Air Force after graduating from high school. He attended Oklahoma State University while stationed in Enid, Oklahoma and spent 12 years in foreign countries during his military career. He was Superintendent of Accounting and Finance upon his retirement from the Air Force.
After retirement, he served two terms on the Fort Walton Beach City Council, followed by two terms on the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners. He served as Chairman of the Board twice. He also served as Chairman of Tri County Regional Utility Authority for eight years. Additionally he served on the boards of Headstart and Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County.

JAMES C. BINNICKER, CASP

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE, INC.

    James C. Binnicker is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc. He has served in this position since March, 2000. His close association with the AFEV led to his being selected as a member of the Board of Directors in 1992. In his current role, he is responsible for overseeing the operations of Teresa Village and Bob Hope Village and has guided the expansion of the AFEV mission to include a new Assisted Living Residence (ALF), Hawthorn House. He ensures a meaningful quality of life for more than 400 residents of these two independent living facilities and the ALF by encouraging independence, maximizing strengths and capabilities and providing them with a loving, secure environment.
   Prior to being selected to his current position, Binnicker was senior vice-president of a major insurance company, serving in Heidelberg, Germany; Atlanta, Ga. and San Antonio, Texas . Before that he served 33 years in the United States Air Force. During his career, he served in many locations that spanned the globe.. His three decades of service culminated in his selection as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force where he served as the advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force/Air Force Chief of Staff.
   His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
His memberships include: Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging Public Policy Committee, Air University Board of Visitors, Airman Memorial Museum Board of Advisors, Gentiva Health Care Board of Advisors, Air Force Special Operations Foundation, and First Command Educational Foundation.
   He holds a BS in Sociology from Georgia College and is also a graduate of University of North Texas’ Center for studies in Aging as a Certified Aging Services Professional (CASP). Jim continues to travel worldwide as a guest speaker for the United States Air Force.

BOBBY H. BARKSDALE, CMSgt, USAF, (Ret)

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD VICE-CHAIRMAN

      Chief Master Sergeant, USAF (Retired) Bobby H. Barksdale currently serves as Vice Chairman, Air Force Enlisted Foundation Board of Directors. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since January 2000. Subsequent to filling the position of Vice Chairman, Chief (Ret) Barksdale served as a member of the Audit and Budget Committee, then as Chairman of that committee during the 2003-2004 fiscal year.
     Chief (Ret) Barksdale is currently employed by the Regulatory Audit Division, U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U. S. Department of Homeland Security, as a Regulatory Auditor. In this position, he is responsible for performing audits and reviews on companies that import foreign goods into the United States. Prior to joining CBP, Chief (Ret) Barksdale worked for a small aerospace research and development firm, Micro Craft, Inc. While at Micro Craft, he worked as a cost accountant and budget analyst.
     Chief (Ret) Barksdale retired from the United States Air Force after serving for 26-years. He served in numerous assignments throughout his Air Force Career, serving at locations in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia. The majority of Chief (Ret) Barksdale’s service was in the Information Management Career Field, serving as an information management specialist, manager, and supervisor.
     Chief (Ret) Barksdale holds a Master of Science Degree in Accounting and Information Systems from Middle Tennessee State University, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from The University of Tennessee at Martin, and an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force.
In January 2006 Chief Barksdale was awarded the certification of Certified Fraud Examiner by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Chief Barksdale has been a member of the AFEV Board since 2000.

ANNETTE M. BUQUET BECK, CBP

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

      Annette is a certified BodyTalk and Theta Healing practitioner, a state-of-the-art energy medicine health alternative, and sole owner of A. Beck & Associates in San Antonio, Texas, with clients currently in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Colorado, and throughout Texas. She also works with The Informatics Applications Group, as an IT Systems Architect at the U.S. Army Medical Information Technology Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
      Annette retired from the United States Air Force culminating her career as the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Her military background includes assignments in the medical, professional military education, first sergeant, and Command Chief career fields. Annette deployed twice to the Gulf War.
     She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources Administration from St Leo College, Magna Cum Laude, and an Associates degree in Medical Assistant. Annette also served as a referral agent for the United Way, and served as a court-appointed child advocate for Bexar County, Texas.
     Annette is married to Chief Master Sergeant retired David M. Beck. David is co-owner and President of Beck-field & Associates, Inc., a nationally-recognized medical recruiting firm located in Selma, Texas.

SENATOR DON GAETZ

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

Don Gaetz is a Republican member of the Florida Senate, representing the 4th District since 2007.
Previously, he was the Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools. He was the first non-educator to be appointed to the position, and oversaw the improvement of Okaloosa's school system from a "C" average to an "A" according to Florida's Department of Education standards based on FCAT scores per students. During his years as the chairman for the School Board of Okaloosa County Schools, he proposed and allowed the creation of a local sales tax increase to fund and ONLY fund local school renovations, additions, and the construction of 3 new schools altogether. Mr. Gaetz's political career began in 1994, when he was first elected to the Okaloosa School Board, defeating a Libertarian and an incumbent Democrat. He was elected to a second term in 1998, winning the position of Superintendent in 2000 after defeating local principal/candidate Dr. David E. Morgan. He was reelected and unopposed in the 2004 general election. During his term, Gaetz appeared on 20/20, All Things Considered, and twice on The Today Show. As of 2006, he resigned from his post as Superintendent to join the Florida Senate. Currently he is the Chairman of the Committee on Education PreK-12.

REP. RAY SANSOM

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

Ray Sansom was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November of 2002 and re-elected without opposition in 2004 and 2006. On March 5, 2007, Ray Sansom was officially designated as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives for the 2008-2010 legislative terms. He will be the first legislator from Okaloosa County to serve as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. Ray is currently Chairman of the House Policy and Budget Council. The Council is responsible for drafting a 71 Billion dollar budget. He also serves on the Rules and Calendar Council. Ray is the past Chairman of the Transportation Committee and was Chairman of the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee his Freshman term.
Ray was elected to the Okaloosa County Commission in 1992 and was voted Chairman of the commission his first year, being the youngest Chairman on the commission in Okaloosa County’s history. He also served as Chairman in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1998. Ray was a Legislative Assistant in both the Florida House and Senate before being elected to the commission. Ray was presented the “President’s Award” in 1999 by the Florida City and County Managers Association. Ray was selected “Freshman Legislator of the Year” by the Association of Counties in 2003. He has received the Florida Chamber of Commerce “Honor Roll” each year he has served in the House and he recently received “Legislator of the Year” by the Northwest Florida League of Cities.
Ray is currently employed by PowerSouth as the Economic Development Representative for the Northwest Florida Region. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Emerald Coast YMCA and Vanguard Bank as well as the Executive Committee for Samford University Athletic Foundation.
Ray holds a Master Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from Florida State University.
Ray is a native of Okaloosa County. He is married to the former Tricia Raimey and has three daughters Jessica, Carlee and Julia.

ROBERT W. CHEDISTER, MGen., USAF, (Ret)

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

General Chedister was born in Hazen, Ark., and entered the Air Force as a distinguished graduate of the University of Arkansas ROTC program, where he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. The general earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and a second in management from Troy State University. He is also a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. General Chedister has served as a test squadron commander, deputy commander of operations for a test wing, systems program director for a major weapon system, test center commander and program executive officer.
General Chedister is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours as a fighter pilot and test pilot.

JAMES L. HOBSON, JR, MGen, USAF, (Ret)

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

Major General James L. Hobson Jr. was formerly the commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. The command is the Air Force component of U.S. Special Operations Command, providing Air Force special operations forces for worldwide deployment and assignment to regional unified commands.
The general was born in Memphis, Tenn., and graduated from high school in Montgomery, Ala. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Memphis State University and was commissioned through Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in 1965. He is a command pilot with more than 6,500 flying hours in numerous multi-engine and helicopter aircraft.

JAMES R. CRAIG, CMSgt, USAF, (Ret)

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

Chief James Craig has been a member of the Air Force Enlisted Village Board for over three years. He is currently the Chairman of the Budget/Finance and Audit Committee. His work is vital to the ongoing fiscal operations of the organization.
     Mr. Craig is now employed by Northrop Grumman Corporation, a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, providing technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. He is a Consultant supporting the Department of Defense Item Unique Identification (IUID) Program Management Office and the Business Transformation Agency. His previous position was Wide Area Workflow Program Manager, overseeing the development and implementation of numerous leading-edge technologies in highly visible government environments. Mr. Craig has been the recipient of several awards recognizing his leadership, innovation and vision.
     Mr. Craig retired from the US Air Force with over 20 years of honorable service. During his time in the Air Force, Chief Craig consistently demonstrated his ability to lead and inspire, ultimately attaining the highest enlisted rank, Chief Master Sergeant.
     Mr. Craig holds a Master of Public Administration from the American University, Washington, D.C.

ROBERT KOENIGKRAMER, CMSgt, USAF, (Ret)

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD SECRETARY/TREASURER

Retired CMSgt Robert J. Koenigkramer was the 46th Test Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The chief was the advisor to the wing commander on all matters influencing the health, welfare, morale and effective utilization of the 1,000 enlisted members and their families assigned to the wing. Chief Koenigkramer’s duties include maintaining combat readiness through integration of sound enlisted policies and programs.

He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was raised in an Air Force family, graduating high school from Wagner High, Clark Air Base, Philippines, in 1974. He entered the Air Force under the delayed enlistment program in June 1977.

Mr. Koenig-Kramer has an extremely diverse maintenance background spending time in combat wings, depots, and test communities. Prior to his current assignment, he served as Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

RICHARD C. MCCOY, COL, USAF (Ret)

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

Dick McCoy currently is a self-employed Aerospace Consultant and real estate developer living in Warner Robins, Georgia. Prior to this, he worked as Program Manager and Sales/Marketing Director for Lockheed Martin, Allied Signal, Honeywell and Support Systems Associates

Dick retired from active duty United States Air Force after 28 years of service in the rank of Colonel. He served tours in the Republic of Vietnam and the Azores, Portugal in addition to numerous stateside assignments. His final assignment was at Robins AFB, GA where he served as Chief, Avionics Production Division and Deputy Director, Technology and Industrial Support in the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center .

He is a life member of the Air Commando Association, the Airlift Tanker Association, Air Force Association and Military Officers Association and has served on the Board of the Carl Vinson Chapter of the AFA and the Team Robins Chapter of the ATA. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce and is the Chairman of the Board of the Georgia International Lean Symposium.

Colonel McCoy has been a member of the AFEV Board since 2003.

RODNEY McKINLEY, CMSAF, USAF

CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. He serves as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force. Chief McKinley is the 15th chief master sergeant appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer position.

CMSAF McKinley grew up in Mount Orab, Ohio. He originally entered the Air Force in 1974, took a break in service in 1977, and re-entered the Air Force in 1982. His background includes various duties in medical and aircraft maintenance, and as a first sergeant and command chief master sergeant at wing, numbered air force and major command levels. His assignments include bases in North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Alaska and Hawaii. The chief also served overseas in the Philippines, Italy and Germany, and deployed to Southwest Asia in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Before assuming his current position, he served as Command Chief Master Sergeant, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He was appointed to the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force on June 30, 2006.

DEBRA ANNE STREET, PhD

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

     Dr. Street is an Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Sociology at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York and an affiliate of the Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy at Florida State University. Her areas of research expertise include policies and practices relating to population aging in the United States and elsewhere. Her research has been funded through awards from the State of Florida, the National Institute on Aging, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and most recently, the National Science Foundation. Through her research, Dr. Street has gained an in-depth understanding of issues concerning assisted living facilities and their residents. This knowledge and expertise is an asset to the Air Force Enlisted Village Board.
     Dr. Street graduated summa cum laude with her B.A. in Sociology and Psychology from the University of West Florida. She received her PhD in Sociology at Florida State University, and completed post-doctoral training in the School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of Michigan.
     Dr. Street has been a member of the Air Force Enlisted Village Board since 2005.

PATRICIA J. VILLANI, MPA, PhD

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

            Dr. Villani is currently Consultant for Aging Services at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD where she collaborates with hospital geriatric leaders and staff to improve and expand aging services within the hospital. In this capacity, she collaborates with community leaders in aging to enhance hospital outreach, develops education and training programs for hospital staff, assess needs of older patients, and collaborates to implement changes that benefit older adults who utilize hospital services. Her other consultant activities with Toborg Associates include the development of an on-line training program for rural nurses aides.
             For the past 11 years, Dr. Villani was based at the George Washington University Medical Center as Executive Director of the Washington, DC Area Geriatric Education Center Consortium (WAGECC). Dr. Villani was responsible for the day-to-day operations and coordination of all Consortium activities which included financial and staff oversight, curriculum development, program implementation, outreach, technical assistance to constituents, regional assessments, evaluation, information dissemination, community outreach, quality improvement and applied research.
      Dr. Villani received her Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School at Harvard University , and a PhD in Rehabilitation/Gerontology from the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Villani first joined the AFEV Board in 1996.

DEBORAH WALKER, CMSgt, USAF, (Ret)

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD ASSISTANT SECRETARY/TREASURER

Debbie is an independent Real Estate Investor/Broker and a Disabled American Veterans Service Officer.

During her 30-year military career, she served as the Department of Defense, Senior TRICARE Course Instructor (STC). As the STC, she supported the Service Surgeons General and TRICARE Management Activity in administering the $6 billion TRICARE health benefit. She developed the TRICARE Basic and Advanced courses and traveled worldwide educating over 25,000 beneficiaries, military facility staff, Line personnel, and government agencies, annually.

She holds an Associates of Arts in Healthcare Management, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management, and a Master in Organizational Management.

Chief Walker has been a member of the AFEV Board since 2001.

ROBERT O'CONNOR, CMSgt, USAF (Ret)

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

RAYMOND T. SMITH, CMSgt, USAF, (Ret)

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER- EMERITUS

Marie McDowell

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

Emily “Marie” McDowell is the Air Force Sergeants Association International Auxiliary President. She was born in Atlanta moved to the suburbs after marrying. She has two sons, both of whom enlisted in the Air Force after high school. The youngest served four years. The oldest retired after 24 years. She also has three grandsons.

While her oldest son, Robert, was stationed at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas in 1992, he recruited Marie into the Air Force Sergeant’s Association Auxiliary. Her involvement really began in 1995 when she and her son attended a meeting at Dobbins ARB, GA. It just happened to be election night. They left the meeting as Auxiliary Chapter Trustee and AFSA Chapter Vice President respectively. The following year they were elected Chapter Presidents. She has been heavily involved in the organization since and plans to keep it that way.

Marie met a fellow AFSA member in 1996 through a phone conversation. The gentleman – retired MSgt William “Sam” McDowell – started coming to the local meetings and the couple were married Nov. 18, 2000.

She is a member of Four Mile Baptist Church , VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary and Georgia Notary Association. Marie devotes much time to base and local community activities, including the Dobbins ARB POW/MIA Tree Planting Ceremony and Reception; March of Dimes; Race for the Cure; and gathering and donating food and clothing for needy families. Marie enjoys NASCAR, and her favorite drivers are Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. She also likes Italian and Mexican food.

TONY (T-Bar) BARNES, SMSgt, USAF, (Ret)

AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE BOARD MEMBER

Tony (T-Bar) Barnes has been a member of the Air Force Enlisted Village Board since April 2010. He has been an energetic advocate for the village and has personally raised thousands of dollars for the organization.

Mr. Barnes is employed by Management Consulting (MANCON) as an Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Advocate providing crucial transitional support to wounded and seriously ill soldiers and their families.

Mr. Barnes retired from the Air Force with over 25 years of active duty and 3 years as a Marine Corps reservist. During his career, SMSgt Barnes served in the Fuels and Disaster Preparedness career fields. His last 10 years on active duty were as a First Sergeant for training, mission support, recruiting and hospital squadrons. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, the Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters and the Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster.

Mr. Barnes is an ordained minister, published author and has 3 Community College of the Air Force associate degrees and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland. He is a lifetime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars and the Air Force Sergeants Association.

He is married to the former Sheri Pickens and has 2 daughters Jessica and Ashley and 2 sons Robison and Scott.