AIRPOWER FOUNDATION
ABOUT US
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
Sid Eppes – CHairman
Sid Eppes is the 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...
Jim Darwin – Vice chairman
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...
Gene deBullet Jr. – Corporate Counsel
Mr. de Bullet is a graduate of Paschal High School, Texas Christian University and St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio where he was on the Dean’s List. He is in his 43rd year of continuous private practice in Tarrant County, Texas. Including family law issues, he...
Bret Privitt
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...
Jim Thomason
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...
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...
Roman Palomares – FORMER Chairman
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...
General Robin Akin (Ret.)
Robin Babb Akin Brigadier General U.S Army General Officer (Retired) and now a senior executive with over 36 years of management and leadership experience directing the activities of organizations and agencies. Extensive worldwide logistics experience leading...
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...
John Kinnear
Upon graduation from the University of Arizona in 1958, John Kinnear became active in the medical device manufacturing and worldwide distribution in the field of Respiratory Care. He was a founder of two corporations in that field – serving as Chairman of the Board of...
Wanda Cox – Secretary / Treasurer
Wanda Cox has been working with the Airpower Foundation for over 10 years as a volunteer and then was contracted to serve as the Foundation’s Executive Director. Her extensive background and skills in corporate marketing and negotiations has made her a perfect fit for...
BOARD OF ADVISORS
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
Mike elliot – U.S. Army Golden Knights (Ret.)
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...
AirPower Foundation: Its all about the families.