THE TRANSMISSON USAFA news from around the globe ... and beyond Pott selects Mitchell ’83 Zane Mitchell ’83 has accepted the position of dean for the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education at the University of Southern Indiana. Mitchell had served as interim dean of the college since June 2016. Mitchell, professor of engineering and chair of USI’s Engineering Department, joined the USI faculty in 2009. Prior to his arrival at USI, he completed a career in the United States Air Force.
Johnson ’87 returns to Springs Harper Johnson ’87 is the new chief information officer and associate vice chancellor for information technology at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Johnson was previously director of enterprise solutions at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He served in the U.S. Air Force, where he attained the rank of captain and was a KC-135R Stratotanker pilot.
Dedication honors Short ’65
Welsh ’76 joins boards
The 505th Command and Control Wing at Hurlburt Field dedicated a building to recognize the career of Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Michael Short ’65, which included more than 50 years of service to the Air Force. He retired in 2000. Following his active-duty service, Short served 16 years as an expert-senior mentor with the 505th CCW, preparing a generation of airmen for leadership at the operational level of war.
Mark Welsh III ’76, dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, has been selected to serve as a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Endowment Board of Directors. The Air Force Academy Endowment provides stewardship of major gifts to the military institution in Colorado Springs, Colo. Welsh also has joined the Board of Directors for Northrop Grumman Corporation. In addition, Welsh and his wife, Betty, received the Distinguished American Award from the Nation’s Capital Chapter of the Air Force Association. The Distinguished American Award recognizes individuals whose leadership in national affairs has been instrumental in protecting the values and traditions of the United States. Welsh received the Ike Skelton Legacy Award on Nov. 12, 2016. The honor was presented by Wentworth Military Academy and College in Lexington, Missouri. The award recognizes those who emulate Skelton’s life in service to nation, state and community. Welsh retired from the Air Force in 2016 after four years as the chief of staff of the Air Force.
Holtz ’97 gains promotion Heath Holtz ’97 has been promoted to vice president of manufacturing at the Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant with Nissan North America, Inc. In this role, Holtz is responsible for the operation of Nissan’s Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, including safety, quality, operations, productivity and environmental compliance. Holtz joined Nissan North America in March 2006.
Howard ’91 joins playoff committee Chris Howard ’91, Robert Morris president, has been added to the NCAA’s college football playoff selection committee. The 46-year-old Howard is one of the youngest university presidents in the country. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and former starting running back for the Falcons football team. Howard was a Rhodes scholar, attending Oxford University from 1991-94.
HSN hires Little ’92
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Rod Little ’92 has joined HSN, Inc. as its new chief financial officer. Little will oversee all financial management of the company. Little previously was CFO with Elizabeth Arden, Inc. and held leadership positions with Procter & Gamble prior to that.
Hickey ’80, Regni ’73 join MOAA Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Allison A. Hickey ’80, president and CEO of All Solutions LLC, and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John F. Regni ’73, former superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, have been elected to the board of directors of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the nation’s largest officer’s association. The MOAA has more than 355,000 members representing each branch of service, including active duty, retired, National Guard, Reserve, and former officers and their families and survivors.