JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Joint Base Andrews welcomed seven community and civic leaders into the 2014 Honorary Commanders Program during an induction ceremony luncheon here March 7 at The Club.
The Joint Base Andrews Honorary Commander Program encourages an exchange of ideas and experiences, as well as friendships between key leaders of the base's surrounding communities, JBA commanders and Airmen. In addition it allows base commanders and their units to learn more about local leaders and the local community.
"This program positively impacts community and base's interaction by building and strengthening our relationships with our local neighbors" said Col. Bill Knight, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander.
The diversity of JBA's six wings, two headquarters and more than 50 tenant organizations impact not only missions and surrounding communities in the National Capital Region, but missions across the entire Department of Defense and around the world.
"Each honorary commander will have the opportunity to serve two years in the program," he continued. "One of our goals is to have all honorary commanders visit their respective units and develop a better understanding of the important operations that occur here at JBA every day and most importantly the service members that make them happen."
Furthermore, Honorary Commanders are invited to attend events on base and in the surrounding communities that Airmen from Joint Base Andrews support. In turn, HCCs may also invite the units they are paired with to participate events in the local community.
During the luncheon, each inductee was presented a certificate of induction and an Honorary Commander' s lapel pin.
2014 Joint Base Andrews Honorary Commanders are:
- Ms. Pamela Rodriguez, Financial Advisor, First Command
- Dr. Jacqueline Brown, Director Prince George's Community College's Government and Community Affairs
- Ms. Tammi Thomas, Chief of Staff Bowie State University
- Mr. Christian Rhodes, Education Policy Advisor to Prince George's County
- Ms. Pamela Creekmur, Health Director, Prince George's County
- Mr. Brian Partylo, Owner Chick-Fil-A, Brandywine, Md.
- Mr. Shawn Toler, Director, Imagine Public Charter Schools, Md.