Tinker selects civilian community leaders to serve as honorary commanders in 2022

  • Published
  • By April McDonald
  • 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Seventeen leaders from across the metro area were chosen to participate in the Tinker Honorary Commander program in 2022.

Now in its 25th year, the program pairs members of the community with key leaders from Tinker Air Force Base for one year. During this time they learn more about each other’s professional responsibilities, strengthening the relationship between Tinker and its surrounding communities.

Those selected to participate in the upcoming class are:

  • Brent Kisling, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
  • Steven Harpe, State of Oklahoma Chief Operating Officer and the state director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services
  • Dr. Zahed Siddique, associate dean for the College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma
  • Jalal and Mohammad Farzaneh, owners of Home Creations
  • Jill Castilla, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond
  • Marcy Jarrett, executive director of the Midwest City Chamber of Commerce
  • Ashley Perkins, vice president of Cox Business in Oklahoma
  • Darrell Davis, mayor of the City of Edmond
  • Ronnie Guest, city manager for the City of Choctaw
  • Lawrence McKinney, president and CEO of the Norman Economic Development Coalition
  • Sandra Shelton, government and public affairs coordinator for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission
  • Lee Dow, director of Aerospace and Transportation for the Moore Norman Technology Center
  • David Nimmo; president and CEO of Chickasaw Nation Industries
  • Dr. Amy Cataldi, dean of the Petree College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma City University
  • Tamara Pratt, director of Strategic Communications for Guernsey
  • Kenton Tsoodle, assistant city manager for the City of Oklahoma City.

Over the course of the year, Honorary Commanders will get an inside look at Tinker’s role in the Air Force through tours of the world’s largest jet engine repair facility, the 552nd Air Control Wing’s Airborne Warning and Control Systems aircraft and the Air Force’s only flight standards agency. In addition, they will experience an aerial refueling flight on a KC-135, tour the Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing ONE and much more.

The program’s goals include developing integral interpersonal relationships to better learn and understand how each partner’s activities impact the community and Tinker AFB. The activities provide opportunities for each of the leaders involved to learn more about the mission and professional responsibilities that Tinker’s leaders have.

Honorary Commander Program candidates are selected from a cross-section of communities, with nominations submitted through local chambers of commerce and current and former participants.