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Celebrating Team Scott's Honorary Commanders

  • Published
  • By Karen Petitt, 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  

For 23 members of Team Scott’s Honorary Commander Program, their two-year program came to a close during a graduation event, Sept. 16.

The program pairs commanders from across the installation with local civic leaders to strengthen relationships and provide a deeper understanding of the Air Force mission.

Throughout the program, participants took part in immersion tours, briefings, and unit events to learn more about Scott’s global impact, including air mobility, aeromedical evacuation, and cyber missions, along with the 36 mission partners across the base. The graduation recognized the civic leaders’ support for Airmen and their families while highlighting the continued partnership between Scott AFB and the surrounding communities.

Honorary Commander Class of 2025 members represented business, government and education specialties and represent the cities of O’Fallon, Mascoutah, Belleville, Glen Carbon, St. Clair County, Centralia, Edwardsville and Shiloh in Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri.  Units across the base that participated along with the 375th Air Mobility Wing are: The Army’s Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command; Air Force Installation and Mission Support, Det. 9; 635th Supply Chain Operations Group; the 345th Recruiting Squadron, and the 15th Operational Weather Squadron.

Congratulations to the following graduates:

  • Elizabeth Grant, representing Edwardsville As An Alderman & A Professor Of Speech At Lewis And Clark Community College.
  • Chris Klay, President & Ceo, Hospital Sisters Health Systems.
  • Philip Bissonnette, Board Member/Executive Committee for Spirit of St Louis Airshow & Stem Expo.
  • Jenna Smith, Executive Director of Mascoutah’s Leu Civic Center
  • Renee Labruyere,  Sr. Business Development Manager,  Horner & Shriffin.
  •  Alonzo Byrd, Dir of Business Development For Ascension Chairity Classic.
  • Rachel Lucken, Dir of Fayette County Emergency Management Agency.
  • Loretta Graham, CEO of The Girl Scouts Of Southern Illinois.
  • Nathan Parchman, Vp of Farmers And Merchants National Bank & O’Fallon City Alderman.
  • George Kriss, Chief Information Officer & VP of Institutional Support & Technology For Kaskaskia College.
  • Thomas Hoff, Formerly the Cultural Site Manager at Jefferson Barracks.
  • Cassidy Hoelscher, Ceo Of The Rehabilitation Institute Of Southern Illinois.
  • Dawn Waller, Innovation Hub Manager for the Illinois Science And Math Academy.
  • Dennis Muyleart, Conductor for the Terminal Railroad Association and O'Fallon City Alderman.
  • Kathy Federico, Executive Manager For Jack Schmitt Chevrolet.
  • Dr. Christopher Gordon, Associate Dean, School of Engineers for Southern IL University In Edwardsville.
  • Brett Gilliand, Founder & CEO of Visionary Wealth Advisors.

Not pictured are:

  • Randy Walker, Vp Of Global Ingredients Strategy For International Flavors & Fragrances + Regional Lay Leader Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints.
  • Blake Corners, Private Investment Partner, Omnia Group.
  • Joanne Hernandez,  Chief Operating Officer, Scott Credit Union.
  • Stephanie Smallheer, Owner, Tye-Dyed Iguana.
  • Sheriff Rick Watson, St. Clair County.