Under his leadership, the Association’s reputation for service and substance in the intelligence arena has grown dramatically.  AFCEA is recognized as a premier source of professional development for intelligence professionals.  In addition, he has fostered the growth of the AFCEA Intelligence Committee, considered to be the Nation’s preeminent government/industry intelligence forum.  Composed of fifty government and industry intelligence volunteers, the Committee cultivates a spirit of partnership between the public and private sectors.  In doing so, it promotes the application of communications and information technology and provides opportunities – including symposia, meetings, and papers – for the exchange of ideas within the Intelligence Community. 

Mr. Ritchey joined the AFCEA staff following his retirement from the United States Air Force.  Colonel Ritchey, USAF (Ret.), spent the first half of his Air Force career as an air intelligence officer with assignments in Southeast Asia; the 480th Reconnaissance Technical Group, Langley Air Force Base; and the Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC. 

In the second half of his Air Force career, Col Ritchey was a user of intelligence and served as a politico-military affairs officer with assignments in the North American Aerospace Defense Command, Colorado Springs, CO; and in separate assignments in the Pentagon in the Headquarters, United States Air Force Air Staff; the Air Force Secretariat; and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.  Colonel Ritchey’s last overseas assignment was as the Vice Commander, 13th Air Force, Clark Air Force Base, the Philippines.  While there he helped oversee the closure of the base – the United States’ largest overseas facility – following the catastrophic eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
 
Colonel Ritchey is a distinguished graduate of the Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, the Defense Intelligence College, and the National War College.  He also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from the University of Oregon where he was elected Phi Beta Kappa.     

He and his wife, Adelle, have two grown daughters and two twin grandsons.  They consider Salem, Oregon, their hometown.