The people behind the progress

Acknowledgements

The Closing Credits

A roll call of those whose vision, skill and support helped open new communications orbits.

The Air Force Public Affairs transition into the Information Age would not have been possible without the pioneer efforts of four Air Force captains:

The pioneers

Information Age beginnings

Al Tyler
at AFNEWS (PC Networking)

Dave Nutall
at Air Force Broadcasting Service (Unix computing, programming).

Dan Woolley
at SAF/PA (introducing OfficePower).

Bill Stevenson
at Electronic Security Command (first known use of a website for command news magazine)

Impetus also came from Col. Ralph Francis and Mr. Dan Doherty at Air Force Reserve Command.

And the back-channel encouragement of Colonel Bud Rothgeb at the Pentagon.

Above all, it was the vision and management acumen of Mr. William T. Slick.

Innovation and implementation

My team for Air Force C-CS innovation and implementation:

Ms. Regina Gonzalez

MSgt Chuck Ross, Installations and Maintenance

TSgt Greg Streetman, Programmer

SSgt Mike Carlstrom, Programmer

SSgt Gary Wallace, Programmer

SSgt Don Phelps, Programmer

SSgt Joe Mathis, Programmer

Ms. Estella Murchison, Admin Support

MSgt Floyd Bates, Air Force Broadcasting Service

Durand C. (“Randy”) Waters, Air Force Broadcasting Service

Ms. Linda Derby, Air Force Broadcasting Service

MSgt Ron Lathrop, who took the lead in Internal Information directorate and Airman Magazine.

Broadcasting

The Operations team at Air Force Broadcasting Service:

SMSgt Mark Miller

SMSgt Jim “JC” Corcoran

SMSgt Craig Knutson

SMSgt Mike Lynch

MSgt Chuck Hanberry

MSgt Frank Hardy

Administrative support

My administrative assistants at Air Force Broadcasting Service:

SSgt Jimmy Santos

SSgt Inez Ornelas

SSgt Roger Reyes

Teaching

My joint service team of instructors at DINFOS:

Army: Max Sydow; Matt Townsend; Marilyn Reich; Mary Starmer; Franz Holzer; Don Hammond; Bob Anthony; Tom Fuller; Willie Fears; Milt Kemp.

Navy: Paul Waldrop; Bob Jenkins; Harry “Skip” Johnson; Joanne Waldrop.

Air Force: Mike Mahan; Paul Bonnell; Bob Garcia.

Marines: Steve Reuss.

Air Force Reservists, beginning with Major Gideon Lichtman, who contributed to my development at Homestead. His emotional life story deserves wider recognition. I continued to value reserve officers throughout my career for bringing fresh ideas, insights and opinions into our workplaces.

CMSgt Chuck Zimkas, senior enlisted advisor at NORAD and ADCOM, my first real mentor. After his retirement, he continued as a strong advocate for a U.S. Space Command in positions with the Air Force Association, now the Air and Space Association.

And, of course, CMSgt and GM15 Mike Kinchen.

Also, the officers, noncommissioned officers, airmen and civil service employees at the major commands and bases, for their participation, feedback, and encouragement in the processes we undertook.

My profound apologies to those I have not mentioned here. I may forget names and faces, but I will never forget your contributions and support to help me reach successful orbits.