Aerospace Education Conference 2020
2020 Illinois Wing CAP Virtual Aerospace Education Conference
December 5, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and December 6, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
This virtual conference is free of charge! See below for schedules and to access information.
• All participants must register in advance
Public registration
Civil Air Patrol member registration
About the Conference
• Watch Presentations
Click on the presentation name in the schedule and you will be taken to the YouTube recording of the presentation.
• Conference Credit for CAP Members
Please complete the survey on the following link to receive a participation letter that can be used for Education & Training credit (must be completed by 4 Jan 2021): E & T Credit Request
• Saturday door prize winners:
Mark Ober, Michael Hill, JP Coon, Ram Nayak
• Sunday door prize winners:
Philip Mast, Michael DeClerck, Xin Zhang, Johan Holsinger
Thank you for attending our conference. Watch for the video's soon.
Click to View Conference Schedule
Click here for Saturday, December 5 Schedule
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On Time Arrival |
Terminal A |
Terminal B |
Terminal C |
Terminal D |
Hangar |
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11 am CST |
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Hangar Time 12:50 pm - 1:00 pm |
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1 pm CST |
Aerospace Education Membership Mouse over for summary |
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Hangar Time 2:50 pm - 3:00 pm |
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3 pm CST |
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Aerospace Education Excellence Mouse over for summary |
CyberPatriot / Mouse over for summary |
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Click here for Sunday, December 6 Schedule
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On Time Arrival |
Terminal A |
Terminal B |
Terminal C |
Terminal D |
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12 pm CST |
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1 pm CST |
First Female Pilot / Mouse over for summary |
Hangar Time 1:50 pm - 2:00 pm |
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2 pm CST |
Cessna 182 / GA-8 Mouse over for summary |
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3 pm CST |
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Hangar Time 3:50 pm - 4:00 pm |
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CAP's Lighter Than Mouse over for summary |
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World Record Paper Airplane Attempt Mouse over for summary |
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Click to View Conference Flyer
Meet our Presenters
Col Robert Dempsey
Presentations: Open Session, Closing Session
Col. Robert Dempsey is the Commander of Illinois Wing, Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary. He is responsible for the Command and Administration of approximately 1500 volunteers, aircraft, vehicles and communications equipment to support federal, state and local missions.
Col. Dempsey began his Civil Air Patrol career as a cadet in 1977 and brings 40 years of experience of various roles to the Wing Commander position. He affirmed, during his Assumption of Command 15 July 2018, ” I have tried to live up and perform to the highest standards in service to my community, state and nation as a proud and dedicated member of Civil Air Patrol. I strive to lead by example and follow the CAP Core Values to the best of my abilities when performing the simplest or most complex tasks. ”
Col. Dempsey most recently served as the Illinois Wing Director of Cadet Programs and Group 22 Commander. He has held positions such as Group Communications Officer, Squadron Commander, Squadron Deputy Commander for Cadets, Squadron Project Officer, with his initial beginnings as a Cadet member.
Col. Dempsey holds advanced Emergency Services ratings in Aircrew, Ground Team and Communications. He has received many awards and citations over the years most notably, 2010 Illinois Wing Cadet Programs Officer of the year, 2 unit citations, 4 Achievement Awards, 4 Commanders Commendations, 3 Meritorious Service Awards and the Gill Robb Wilson Award – the highest Professional Development Award.
He has attended 18 Illinois Wing Encampments serving as the Deputy Commandant for Cadets 2006 -2011, and the Commandant for Cadets 2012 & 2013, Flight Commander (Honor Cadet) in 1981, Squadron Commander (Honor Officer) in 1982 with a Glider solo in 1979, Balloon solo in 1980, and Power solo – 1981. He served on the Illinois Wing Cadet Advisory Council Chairman in 1983 and as an instructor in Safety, SLS, CLC, TLC, ACUT/BCUT/ICUT, UCC, Emergency Services and Regional Staff College.
Col. Dempsey holds a Masters Rating in Cadet Programs with Technician Ratings in Communication and Command.
1st Lt Andrew Scoulas
Presentations: Aerospace History, Women in Aviation Primer, AEO Specialty Track Primer
Lt Scoulas joined CAP in August 2016 and currently serves as the Deputy Commander for Seniors and Historian for the Magnus Composite Squadron in North Riverside. He also serves as the Group 2 Administrative Officer and Assistant Aerospace Education Officer. Lt Scoulas has earned the Grover Loening Award and was named 2018 Illinois Wing Safety Officer of the Year.
C/Maj Roi Norber
Cadet Wings Graduate #45 Nationally, #1 Illinois Wing
Presentations: Cadet Wings Program Primer
Roi Norber joined the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet in August of 2015. He initially started off at the Palwaukee Composite Squadron, and in March of 2017 transferred to the newly formed Col Compton Composite Squadron where he was the unit’s first cadet commander. He held command for a year and a half where he helped develop the unit’s new Cadet Corps. He has served on the ILWG Cadet Advisory Council as Vice Chair and later Peer Advisor, the Cadet Commander of the 2019 ILWG Spring Encampment, and various other staff positions. Cadet Norber was selected among the first group of Cadet Wings participants and became the first Cadet in ILWG to earn their private pilot certificate through the Cadet Wings program. Currently a sophomore student at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Cadet Norber continues to fly in CAP and acts as an ambassador for Cadet Wings and general cadet flight training, assisting and mentoring cadets who aspire to become pilots.
Capt Gary Brown
Presentations: sUAS Overview, World Record Paper Airplane Attempt
Gary joined CAP in 2009 and has been a very active Mission Pilot, Commander for Fox Valley Composite Squadron, and now serves as the Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Officer for the Illinois Wing. In his professional career he manages development of web and mobile applications for the financial services industry and he founded a non-profit organization that inspires at-risk and underprivileged youth through aviation. In his personal life, he is a Private Pilot (instrument rated), currently working on acquiring his glider certified flight instructor rating, flying powered paraglider ultralights, building/operating drones, and is a self-professed “geek” who designs custom microcomputer controlled payloads for drones (including a frequency agile airborne radio direction finder and airborne repeater packages for CAP drones).
Capt John Wenzel, CAP
Presentations: Aerospace Education Excellence, Pop Bottle Rocketry
Captain John Wenzel is serving his third “tour of duty” with CAP. He was a cadet from 1981-1986, going all the way through the cadet program, earning the Spaatz Award in 1985. Captain Wenzel joined the Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG) in 1986 while enrolled at the University of Illinois and was trained as an infantry antitank gunner. Shortly thereafter, Captain Wenzel enrolled in Army ROTC at the university and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1989. He served as an infantry heavy mortar platoon leader and served with the ILARNG until 1990, when he went into the inactive ready reserve.
Shortly after college in 1989, Captain Wenzel began a career with the Illinois State Police (ISP). He served as an officer in the ISP for over twenty-seven years, retiring in 2017 as a district operations officer. During his tenure with the state police Captain Wenzel also served as the ISP Central Illinois Crisis/Hostage Negotiator Team leader and ISP Region III (central Illinois) crowd control team leader.
Captain Wenzel rejoined CAP in 2002 and served as a squadron cadet programs and aerospace education officer. During a ten-year span of membership, Captain Wenzel was on staff for all wing summer encampments during this period, serving in staff positions ranging from training officer up to encampment deputy commander. He also regularly served as an instructor in various aerospace education and leadership activities at encampments throughout the years. Additionally, an encampment program he initiated, the Parents Orientation, was later adopted by CAP nationally and is included in the current Cadet Encampment Guide.
Captain Wenzel rejoined CAP again in 2018, serving briefly as a squadron cadet programs and aerospace education officer before joining Illinois Wing staff, where he currently serves as an assistant in both cadet programs and aerospace education. Captain Wenzel is still very active in planning for and participating in the wing’s summer encampment, with encampment being the main reason he came back onboard with CAP.
Captain Wenzel has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Illinois and a certificate of graduate criminal justice education from the University of Virginia. He currently works part time as a substitute teacher. During his time in CAP, the ILARNG, and the ISP, Capt Wenzel has participated in/completed the following: Illinois Wing Flight Encampment (now known as the Johnson Flight Academy) - soloing in Power and Balloon; Blue Beret; IACE – Great Britain; sixteen encampments – fifteen summer, one spring; US Army Basic and Advanced training – Infantry; US Army Airborne School; US Army Infantry Officer Basic Course; FBI National Academy; and numerous other lesser known courses and activities. Captain Wenzel resides in rural Sadorus, Illinois, with his very supportive wife of thirty-two years, Rachael.
Maj George Roy, CAP
Presentations: Flight Instruction
Major Roy started his career as a cadet and holds Spaatz Award # 170 as well as the Falcon Award. As a cadet, Major Roy participated in the International Air Cadet Exchange Program as an ambassador to Holland. Major Roy currently serves as the Squadron Commander for Thunder Composite Squadron, IL-317, in Lansing, IL. Earlier in his Civil Air Patrol career, Major Roy served as Squadron Commander of Hometown Composite Squadron. Under his command, Hometown Composite Squadron was named the National Squadron of Distinction. Major Roy also served on the Wing Level as the Illinois Wing and Region Chief Check Pilot. In addition to flying corporate aircraft for over 40 years, Major Roy is also a certificated Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic as well as a Certificated Flight and Ground Instructor.
SM Paula Kesler, CAP
Presentations: Basic Aerodynamics
Maj Gregory Krempasky, CAP
Presentations: Astronomy
Major Gregory Krempasky, CAP, is a member of the Aerospace Education Team of Group 1, Illinois Wing. He joined CAP in March 1966 as a Cadet – earned the Billy Mitchell Award in April 1968 and the Amelia Earhart Award in November 1970. He attended Shawnee Community College and received an Associate of Arts in November 1970, graduated from Eastern Illinois University majoring in Zoology and minoring in Botany and Education (B.S.Ed) in 1972, and was awarded the M.S.Ed. degree from Southern Illinois for Secondary Education in 1985.
Major Krempasky served as a Science Teacher for more than 35 years for secondary students in southern Illinois. He retired in 2006 but has returned to work as a teacher four times including 90 days in 2018-2019. He worked as a Radio Announcer for WKRO (Cairo, IL) and WFIW (Fairfield, IL) and also has an amateur radio operator license. He is an avid hobbyist for drones and has maintained a field for flying on his Farm in Massac County, IL.
In 1995, Krempasky organized Fort Defiance Composite Squadron near Cairo, Illinois and served several stints as Commander of IL-330. He has been active many years at the Illinois Wing Summer Encampments at Volk National Guard Base, Wisconsin and assisted for three years at the Johnson Flight Academy. He has a Master Rating in Public Affairs and a Senior Rating in Aerospace Education.
Carl Alessi
Presentations: Searching for Skylab, Skylab Movie
Carl grew up in Orange County, California during a time when several of his family’s friends worked on the Apollo project. A life-long devotee of the manned space program, he has published articles on the history of NASA’s early attempts to piece together a strategy to land men on the moon by the end of the 1960s. When offered the opportunity to participate in the project that became “Searching For Skylab” he leapt at the chance to write a screenplay for what he recognized was a fascinating and worthy component of NASA’s early history to forge a pathway for humans to live and work in space.
https://searchingforskylab.com
Dwight Steven-Bonecki
Presentations: Searching for Skylab, Skylab Movie
Award-winning author of Live TV from the Moon, Live TV from Orbit, and editor of Skylab 1 & 2: The NASA Mission Reports, Skylab 3: The NASA Mission Reports, and Skylab 4: The NASA Mission Reports, Dwight returns to the art of filmmaking. Armed with an in-depth knowledge of Skylab, he presents the largely forgotten Skylab Program in a detail on film not seen since 1973.
Dwight was born in Sydney, Australia and became an international broadcasting professional. After studying television theory at North Sydney Technical College he moved to San Diego, USA where he completed his TV production training. He returned to Australia and worked in TV before heading back to university majoring in Psychology. Television was the industry for which Dwight’s heart was really beating and so he returned to the industry. Naturally, when he heard of an unusual opportunity of expanding digital satellite TV in Eastern Europe he jumped on a plane. It is in Europe, having moved from Great Britain to Germany – where he still works today as a transmission engineer.
https://searchingforskylab.com
Maj Carl Hendrickson, CAP
Presentations: Aerospace Education Membership
Carl Hendricksen is a deputy group commander, former squadron commander, and aerospace education officer.
In his day job, Carl has been an educator for over forty years, teaching classes in middle school and high school science, engineering, and currently teaches construction trades.
Lt Col Constance Kelly, CAP
Presentations: Resources You're Not Aware Of, STEM Kits
Lt Col Constance Kelly, CAP, Joined Civil Air Patrol in the sixties and has not only maintained her membership for six decades, she has remained active. She has held positions at the Wing, Region, and National Levels during this time. LtCol Kelly has functioned as the Great Lakes Region Director of Cadets, Region Director of Communications, and Region Representative and Secretary of the National Communications Committee. She is a former HF Net Control Station, Level 1 Incident Commander, and Cadet Council Advisor and project officer for the Great Lakes Region Communications School and Region Cadet Leadership School.
As an experienced Biomedical Engineer, LTCol Kelly began involving Illinois Wing in STEM activities such as Engineers’ Week Expo, Taste of Chicago’s Family Village, Tech Savvy and a host of STEM activities in Illinois Schools and libraries well before STEM was a major consideration of Civil Air Patrol at the National Level.
She currently is a member of the Illinois Wing Aerospace Education Staff and works with National Headquarters on Engineering topics and relationships.
Maj Jay Trivedi, CAP
Presentations: Winglets / Mini Workshop
Jay joined CAP in 2003 with IL-049 and has served at both squadron and group levels. He holds a Master rating in AE, and a Technician in Safety & Operation(t). During his tenure as AEO for IL-049, the squadron received 6 consecutive AEX awards. His main interests lie with Mission Operations and Aircrew and he has served as an AOBD, FRO, PSC and OSC(t). He is a graduate of NESA (2013), AFRCC - Inland S&R (2016) and the National S&R School (GSAR 2017).
In his professional career, he is a scientist with a specialization in drug delivery for AIDS, Alzheimer, Parkinson’s, MS and Neuro disorders. He is an inventor and holds numerous patents, authored several publications, and has been an invited speaker at national & international conferences. He is the CEO of a niche pharmaceutical company that he founded. Currently he is preoccupied with flying his Cessna 182 (a former CAP airplane), conducting Angel flights and working on his instrument rating with a goal to fly CONUS.
1st Lt Michael Brady, USAF
Presentations: F-16 Viper Pilot
First Lieutenant Mike Brady is an active duty Air Force pilot assigned to the 182nd Fighter Squadron, the “Lone Star Gunfighters” at Kelly Field, San Antonio where he is learning to fly the mighty F-16. Originally from the northern suburbs of Chicago, Mike was a cadet member at the Palwaukee Composite Squadron, earning his Mitchell Award and attended encampments at Naval Station Great Lakes, and the National Emergency Services Academy at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. A 2018 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Mike earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science and commissioned into the Air Force, reporting to Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training. As a member of class 20-09, Mike flew the T-6A Texan II and T-38C Talon where he earned his wings and was selected to fly the F-16. Mike has over 80 hours in the T-6A, 130 hours in the T-38C, and is quickly gaining flight time in the F-16C. Outside of the Air Force, and when the world isn’t quarantined, Mike enjoys traveling with his girlfriend, the outdoors, and is always trying to learn something new.
Lt Col Josh Shields, CAP
Presentations: Aerospace Career Fields
Lt Col Josh Shields, CAP is professionally employed as a Gulfstream G550 and Falcon 2000 International Captain for a Global 500 ranked US Defense Manufacturer. He holds FAA sUAS, Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor, and Airline Transport Pilot ratings as well as 7 turbojet type ratings and has accumulated over 8000 total flight hours over 6 continents. His career includes employment in both airline and corporate flight departments, a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautics from the University of North Dakota, co-ownership of a career consulting and resume writing business, as well and nine years of enlisted service as a Member of the North Dakota Army National Guard, including a post-9/11 title 10 federal deployment and two additional long-term disaster relief deployments.
Lt Col Shields has been a CAP member since 2009 and is the former commander of the Peoria Composite Squadron. Relocating from Illinois Wing in 2016, he has served as the Director of Emergency Services for Virginia Wing since 2018 and continues to serve as a member of the National Headquarters volunteer staff, primarily serving in the Training Directorate and National Stan/Eval team. Among other qualifications, he is a CAP Command Pilot, Check pilot Examiner, Incident Commander 1, and holds master ratings in several different CAP specialty tracks.
Thomas Stutesman
Presentations: CyberPatriot/Stellar-Xplorers
Thomas Stutesman Bio Thomas has been in the Information Technology field since 1980. Most of his career has been spent developing and marketing new products and technology for companies like Sun Microsystems, Hitachi and Oracle. He has extensive experience working with the Air Force, Navy and Army along with various other National agencies. In 2010 he ran the Global Server Development program for Hitachi which became a 1 Billion Dollar business by 2016.
He presently is consulting for Pure Storage and high-performance storage company.
Thomas sits of the board for several not for profit organizations most notable is the Edison Awards for Innovation. Where he and a number of other judges evaluate new products and technologies for awards. In previous years he has worked with Tesla, SpaceX, Hewlett Packard, Cisco and IBM with their entries. Most recently battery powered aircrafts.
He and his wife are retired Presidents of the Northern Illinois Air Force Academy Parents Association.
Thomas’s daughter is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and currently serving with JSOC, Joint Special Operations Command. She has been involved with a local CAP squadron near her base between deployments. His son, former CAP Lieutenant and CyberPatriot Team captain, is a Cyber Operations Specialist serving in Germany. He has won his bases Volunteer of the year award for his work with CAP in Germany.
His father is a retired Air Force Colonel, who also retired as Senior Vice President of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Both his father and mother were active in lobbying in congress for Veterinary causes.
Thomas holds degrees from William Rainey Harper College, Illinois State University and has attended Roosevelt University with work towards a MBA.
In his spare time, he is also an elected trustee for Campton Township Illinois, continues to keep his flight skills somewhat current, most recently Part 107. He has lived in 3 countries, traveled to 63 countries and visited all 50 states twice. He has been training for the Chicago Marathon, which was somewhat canceled, but has taken part in several virtual marathons. His wife is a Tax Accountant.
Gigi Coleman
Presentations: Women in Aviation
Gigi Coleman is the great niece of Bessie Coleman
Ms. Coleman’s mother, the late Marion Coleman, petitioned a postal stamp in her aunt’s honor. Ms. Coleman’s grandmother the late Georgia Coleman was Bessie Coleman’s youngest sister. Gigi is passionate in her endeavors to inform the world about Bessie achievements in the field of aviation.
She portrays the story of Bessie to challenge the minds of the young and old and encourage individuals to achieve their dreams.
Ms. Coleman wants to inspire youth to be interested in STEM Education Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Ms. Coleman designed an aviation program 501(c)3 Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars Our mission is to expose disadvantage youth to career opportunities in the field of aviation. The program is designed to enhance self- esteem multicultural awareness, preparation for the world of work and support educational and STEM programs. The program is supported by hands on activities speakers and field trips. The Program exposes students to careers that they would not consider. Program participants go on to college to pursue aviation careers. The program is affiliated with After School Matters at Gwendolyn Brooks Preparatory High School to exposed students to aviation from history, operating a fly simulator, flying drones, obtaining drone certification and really flying airplanes. In 2013 first year of the program it was selected number one program on the South region of Chicago to appear at the citywide showcase at the Harris Theater. The program has partnered with Operation Push Excel Stem Program for the last three summers and with the Archdiocese of Chicago at St. Columbus Church.
Ms. Coleman retired after 25 years of service from the City of Chicago Water Management as an Assistant to the Commissioner.
Worked as a Commodity Manager for Chicago Public School
Worked as a substitute teacher for the Lighthouse for the Blind Preschool, Chicago Public School and the South Cook County
Roosevelt University Paralegal
Graduate of Roosevelt University MA in Sociology Concentration Gerontology
BA Mundelein College Liberal Arts
Kris Trevidi
Presentations: Geopolitics of Aviation
Kris Trivedi is a recent graduate of American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC with a degree in Foreign Policy and National Security with a specialization in US-European Relations. He has served as the student director and co-founder of the AU Model G20 Initiative and has worked to create a unique simulation and learning program about the G20 Summit for college students and young professionals. It is currently being used by the World Bank to train actual diplomats for international negotiations. He currently lives in Washington, DC where he works for a Transportation Industry advocacy and lobbying group and enjoys talking about airplanes and watching hockey in his free time.
Col Mary Higgins, USAF
Presentations: First Female Pilot Navigator in USAF
Colonel Mary Kay Higgins attributes her successful 30-year Air Force career to her participation in Civil Air Patrol. Growing up in Hometown, Illinois, Colonel Higgins joined CAP in 1965, completing the cadet program in 1970 with achievement of the Carl A. Spaatz award. She served in leadership roles at local, wing, and national level of CAP as well as participating in many special activities including COS and IACE.
Col Higgins completed a B.A. in Chemistry from St Xavier College (Chicago) in 1974, and through Air Force ROTC, she was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant and assigned to train as an Air Traffic Control Officer. Following assignments included KC-135 Navigator (graduating top of the first class to accept women), EC/KC-135 Pilot (SAC Airborne Command Post), and Operations Research Analyst at the Pentagon following her selection for a master’s degree at M.I.T. Colonel Higgins’s last active duty assignment before accepting a Reserve commission was as the USAF-CAP Liaison Officer for the National Capital Wing (1990-1991).
Colonel Higgins returned to active duty in 1998 to serve on the staff of the Chief of Air Force Reserve where she became Chief, Operations Division. As such she was responsible for mobilization policy and implementation for the Air Force Reserve at the Pentagon. Post-9/11, she assembled a rotating team of Air Force reservists from around the country to staff the Reserve desk in the Air Force Crisis Action Team (24/7) for more than two years.
Colonel Higgins was a senior pilot with more than 2,500 hours in the T-37, T-38, KC/EC-135, and C-182. Her major decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Lt Col Joe Long, CAP
Presentations: Cessna 182 / GA-8 Caravan Familiarization
Lt Col Long joined the Civil Air Patrol in 2002 after a brief tour as an Air Force Reserve Liaison. He has been the IL Wing Director of Operations since 2012 and has held the Wing Stand Eval Officer position previously.
Lt Col Long has served as both Group and Squadron Level Operations Positions.
In his professional life Lt Col Long has served on the Chicago Police Department and is currently a Sergeant in the 019th Police District.
Lt Col Long retired from the Air Force in 2018 after 32 years of service. During his Air Force career he served as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and previously as a KC-135 Boom Operator on both Active Duty and in the IL Air National Guard and was awarded the Air Medal for missions flown during Operation Desert Storm.
Lt Col Long Holds a Commercial rating in both Single and Multi-engine aircraft as well as a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument.
Maj Rod Rakic, CAP
Presentations: Cessna 182 / GA-8 Caravan Familiarization
Maj Tim Markham, CAP
Presentations: Model Building
Major Markham has been a Civil Air Patrol member for the past 54 years. As a cadet he achieved the Emelia Earhart award and participated in a number of Summer Encampments and Special Activities. He participated in the International Air Cadet Exchange to France in 1971.
As a senior he has served numerous times as a squadron commander and has participated in the Hot Air Balloon Section of the Johnson Flight Academy for over 25 years. After graduating from Lewis University, he worked as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician for over thirty years, and currently works as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Lewis, teaching aircraft maintenance and aviation history.
Lt Col Seth D. Hudson, CAP
Presentations: CAP's Lighter Than Air Program
Lt Col Seth D. Hudson currently serves as an Asst Emergency Services Officer and the Director of Administration for Southwest Region. In his assignment for Emergency Services, he regularly serves as an Incident Commander of CAP Counterdrug and Homeland Security missions for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and he supports ES training programs in a variety of qualifications. As Director of Administration, he is responsible for coordinating administrative processes between the six wings of the region, Southwest Region Headquarters, CAP-USAF, and National Headquarters. In addition to these assignments, he continues to serve as a Character Development Instructor, supporting several units in this role.
Previously, Lt Col Hudson served four years as Southwest Region Historian and as a Research Specialist on the National History Staff. Before his move to Southwest Region Headquarters, he served as a squadron deputy commander and various other staff positions.
Lt Col Hudson joined CAP as a Texas Wing cadet in 1997. He eventually became Cadet Commander of one of the largest composite squadrons in Texas Wing and attained the rank of Cadet Major. As an Earhart Award recipient, he continues to focus on mentoring cadets towards personal and professional development with an emphasis on the core values and servant leadership.
He qualified as a CAP Ground Branch Director while still a cadet, being the only cadet GBD in Texas Wing at the time he left the program. Since rejoining as a senior member in 2010, he has become qualified as an Incident Commander and Mission Observer among other qualifications. Lt Col Hudson has served on over 40 search and rescue missions and been credited with over 30 air and ground “Finds,” with two of these being REDCAP distress “Finds.”
Lt Col Hudson is a Private Pilot with a Lighter-than-Air – Balloon rating, and he earned his certificate in CAP’s hot air balloon Integrity in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is one of the approximately 20 rated CAP Balloon Pilots in the nation. He is also a Remote Pilot and is active in training sUAS pilots. He is actively working towards his airplane pilot rating, and he uses his aviation experience to extend aerospace education to both CAP members and the public.
Lt Col Hudson has earned the Gill Robb Wilson Award for completing Level V of the CAP Senior Member Professional Development Program. He supports the entire Civil Air Patrol program and continues to pursue learning and development in various CAP specialties. In CAP specialty tracks, he has earned five master ratings, two senior ratings, and another five technician ratings.
A Texas native, Lt Col Hudson holds a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Administration & Planning from the University of North Texas and a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas A&M University. He is a Master Peace Officer, Master Firefighter, and Emergency Medical Technician. He serves as a Criminal Investigator with the Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Department and continues to serve as a training coordinator. He is active in several community service organizations along with his son and future pilot, Ryan.
1st Lt Bryon Nush, CAP
Presentations:
1st Lt Bryon Nush, CAP, has been a member of Civil Air Patrol since 2011. During his cadet career, he achieved the rank of Cadet Captain and has been the Cadet Commander of Lincoln-Way, Thunder, and Lewis composite squadrons. Lt Nush currently serves as Deputy Commander of Cadets for Thunder Squadron. His work at Thunder includes mentoring cadets for CyberPatriot, training members on Emergency Services, and being the technical expert during squadron rocket launches. Outside of Civil Air Patrol, Lt Nush is a member of the Fox Valley Rocketeers chapter of the National Association of Rocketry and is currently working on a Level 1 High Power Rocket certification.
Last reviewed 7 Dec 20
Any technical issues related to the weekend events, please contact AEConference@ilwg.cap.gov and we will respond as soon as possible.
