AIRPOWER FOUNDATION
ABOUT US
Airpower Foundation History
Helping our Nation’s Military and Their Families
The AirPower Foundation was established by the nation’s oldest civilian military support organization.
The Foundation is a registered IRS 501(c)3 non-profit with its roots dating back to 1958, when Air Force General Curtis LeMay and businessman/philanthropist Frank Kent created the Fort Worth Airpower Council dedicated to supporting the military community at Carswell Air Force Base.
The mission of the AirPower Foundation has grown since its formation in 1999, and is now providing funding to nationwide programs dedicated to supporting active duty, reserve and National Guard families. AirPower also supports projects to assist wounded, ill or injured service members, children of our fallen military, veterans of previous wars and educational projects to make sure the next generation understands the honor and sacrifice of wearing the cloth of this country.
The AirPower Foundation board of directors is a diverse group of professionals who volunteer their time and are dedicated to the proposition that freedom is not free. It is their noble mission to assist deployed military families, wounded, ill or injured service members, and veterans of past wars. They spend countless hours visiting military installations and families, assessing needs and grant requests. They are instrumental in providing leadership to organize and execute numerous projects every year in support of military families.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wanda Cox – Chairman
Wanda Cox has been working with the Airpower Foundation for over 16 years as a volunteer and is the current Chairman. Her extensive background and skills in corporate marketing and negotiations has made her a perfect fit for the growth of the Airpower Foundation over...
Charlie Cripliver – Vice Chairman
Charlie Cripliver is currently a Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director with US Representative Kay Granger in the United States Congress. He oversees the operation of the congressional district as well as the State of Texas. Charlie also served as an Executive...
Jim Thomason – Treasurer
Jim Thomason is a residential land developer and home builder. His military career consisted of 4 years active duty and 11 years in the US Army Reserves. Jim was a Helicopter Pilot during his military service and spent one year in Vietnam Nam with the 1st Cavalry...
Bret Privitt – Secretary
Mr. Privitt is a Board member of the Airpower Foundation. He is a father of two grown and flown boys and has been married to Tracy for 31 years. Bret is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, served in the US Army as a Huey Crew Chief, and is now an owner...
Gene de Bullet Jr. – Corporate Counsel
Mr. de Bullet is a Fort Worth Native American graduate of Paschal High School, Texas Christian University and St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio where he was on the Law Review. Mr. de Bullet is in his 52nd year of continuous private practice of Law in...
Sid Eppes – Former Chairman
Sid Eppes is the Former Chairman of the Airpower Foundation, and the past Chairman of the Fort Worth Airpower Council. He has volunteered for many years supporting our troops and their families. He was honored to be selected as the first Honorary Wing Commander of...
Don Shelton
Dr Don Shelton is the founder and Chairman and CEO of Air Radio Network, Inc. He established the company to provide a unique way of learning and communication for students, parents and families of private schools. The initial program at The Oakridge School in...
Roman Palomares
Mr. Roman Palomares is the President of the Palomares Consulting Group (PCG), a management consulting firm that provides technical assistance to local government entities and housing agencies throughout the United States. He is an accomplished Federal Executive and...
Jim Darwin
Jim Darwin currently serves as Senior Advisor for Veteran Affairs to the Office of Veterans Services at the Health & Human Services Commission of Texas where he coordinates across state agencies and nonprofits the delivery of state benefits to Texas veterans. He...
Keith Mundee
Keith Mundee is a proud husband, father, grandfather, patriot, supporter of our military and first responders, and loves all things Western. Keith has been in the Western Apparel business for the past 26 years. Started his career in western wear with Miller...
Tracy Thomas
Tracy Thomas is the President / CEO of the Chamber of Commerce at Cleburne, TX. She has over 35 years of direct experience helping the United States Army and our Nation’s flag stand for freedom. Tracy worked at Fort Cavazos, TX for 25 years and Texas has become her...
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Carl Glusick
Airpower Foundation welcomes Carl Glusick to the Advisory Board Team! Carl Glusick has been supporting the Airpower Foundation since 2011. In that time he has worn many hats in support of Skyball, most recently coordinating security for the event. Carl now serves as...
Mrs. Tamiko Bailey
Mrs. Tamiko Bailey is the President/CEO of Bailey’s Premier Services, a multi-state defense contractor that provides aircraft maintenance and other support services to the United States government and state/local agencies. Tamiko has over 25 years of combined military...
Thomas Mathew
With decades of leadership in the aviation industry, Thomas Mathew brings extensive expertise in managing profitable operations, driving revenue growth through organic and M&A activities, and delivering exceptional service to clients across the US and globally. As...
Don Weatherby
Graduated from Wichita State University with a BBA, minor in marketing. President of Weatherby 5 Construction, Inc. Currently Chairman of the Air Power Council
Col. Michael Caldwell – U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Colonel Caldwell served for 24 years in the U.S. Air Force. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant after graduating from Officer Training School in August 1985. He was a career Public Affairs Officer serving in various Public Affairs leadership positions at the Wing,...
Kelly Elmore
I am a thirty-year US Air Force veteran currently working for the Department of the Air Force as the civilian Deputy Division Chief for Plans and Programs at Headquarters Tenth Air Force, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to this assignment, I flew MQ-9 Reaper remote...
Capt. Robert A. Wood – U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Captain Robert A. Wood is a native of Valdosta, Georgia, and a graduate of Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado, California State University at Sacramento, the U.S. Naval War College of Command and Staff, the National Defense University – Industrial College...
Col. Donald “Doc” Ballard – Medal of Honor Recipient
Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Donald Everett Ballard was trained to keep the Marines he was tasked with protecting alive during the Vietnam War — even at the expense of his own life. Thanks to a lucky explosives malfunction, though, Ballard survived his mission....
Capt. TD Smyers – US Navy (Ret.)
TD Smyers is a career leader with over 30 years of toplevel executive experience across all three major economic sectors. He now leverages his experience as a succession coach and advisor – working with executives to lead boldly, especially those new to the top job...
Mike Elliot – U.S. Army Golden Knights (Ret.)
“Big Mike” Elliott is a combat veteran who had the honor of serving the United States Army for over twenty-six years. Having served during two combat tours, he developed a passion for people and humanity. He served his final eleven years in the Army as a...
STAFF
Kelly Castonguay – Exec. Administrator
With over 15 years volunteering with the Airpower Foundation, Kelly Castonguay was contracted and became the Executive Administrator in 2020. Having been on several trips with our severely wounded, attending events with our gold star families, and tours on the NAS...
AMBASSADORS
Don Graves – Ambassador
In his 98 years, Don Graves has served his country as a combat Marine in World War II, as a minister to thousands during a career as a pastor, as a singer, and, now, as a motivational speaker talking about religion, war, patriotism and love of country. Graves, who...
Kameron McNutt – Ambassador
Airpower Foundation welcomes Kameron McNutt to Ambassador team! Kameron McNutt is proud to serve as an Ambassador for the Airpower Foundation. Kameron currently serves as the Airpower Foundation’s Content and Social Media Manager, the Co-Chair of the Decorations...
Karalyn Martin – Ambassador
Karalyn (Kara) Martin is a Marine Corps veteran from Texas. She enlisted in the USMC at age 17. Kara was an Aviation Hydraulic Structural Mechanic. She served 5-1/2 years, one forward deployment to Iwakuni, Japan, and one combat deployment - Operation Enduring Freedom...
Donna Snow King – Ambassador
Donna Snow King is a proud, multi-generational Texan, born and raised in Fort Worth, TX. Growing up a third generation house mover, that her Grandpa Snow started in 1942, eventually led her to the TV world. She and her sister, Toni are known as The Snow Sisters have...
Patty Herdlicka – Ambassador
Airpower Foundation welcomes Patty Herdlicka to Ambassador team! Long time volunteer and Volunteer Coordinator for the Airpower Foundation. Patty Herdlicka has officially joined the Airpower Foundation Ambassador team. Welcome (officially), Patty! "Volunteering is my...
Rick Irving – Ambassador
Rick Irving is a native of Fort Worth, an Vietnam Era Army Veteran, a Real Estate Broker, a Photojournalist, Visual Storyteller and Podcaster. He retired from Lockheed Martin after a 34 year career in Aerospace. His journey into photography started in 2017, when he...
E.A. “Rex” King III – Ambassador
E.A. “Rex” King III grew up in Wichita Falls Texas working along side his late parents in their family owned restaurants. Both his parents proudly served in WW-II, his Dad Alexander served with the Texas 12th Armored Division ETO and his Mom Rayma served in the Navy...
Ashleigh Frank – Rodeo Royalty
Queen Ashleigh Frank Howdy y'all! I'm Ashleigh Frank, your 2024 Miss AirPower Foundation Queen. My court and I are extremely excited to represent each and everyone of you this year. I'm from Haslet, Texas which is just north of Fort Worth Texas. In December of 2023 I...
Felicity Martin – Rodeo Royalty
Princess Felicity Martin
Grace Burdick – Rodeo Royalty
Sweetheart Grace Burdick My name is Grace Burdick. I am 18 years old and live in Granbury, TX. I recently received my bachelor's degree from AGMU and will graduate from high school in May of 2024 with the hopes of later attending an airline academy to become a...
AirPower Foundation: Its all about the families.