PEO Leader Discusses Education

In December, the chapter hosted a luncheon at Wynlakes Country Club featuring guest speaker Robert “Shof” Shofner, program executive officer for business and enterprise systems, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base (AFB), Alabma. Shofner's presentation highlighted a proposed solution to the lack of software educational initiative opportunities in central Alabama, an “IT pipeline” that would help build vital skills in information technology (IT) related areas, program management, systems engineering, programming and business analysis. Shofner mentioned various emerging opportunities that would make fostering an “IT pipeline” worthwhile, including: the growing need for IT requirements in the professional realm; the Air Force's increasing need to synchronize IT acquisition and sustainment efforts; an increasing number of partnerships between local River Region industry professionals and Maxwell-Gunter AFB; and the strong academic resources currently thriving in Montgomery. Shofner continued to elaborate on the potential benefits of partnerships building between local entities such as the Montgomery AFCEA Chapter, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, local universities and state of Alabama representatives to develop more IT and STEM-driven graduate curricula. He mentioned the importance of a roadmap to guide the process from the drawing board to reality. His roadmap offered the following steps: establish necessary requirements; define “quick success” milestones; and determine mid-long term goals to ultimately generate the opportunity for students to partake in professional certification classes, engage with professional mentors and obtain vital scholarships. Shofner's optimism and dedication to supporting the next generation of IT professionals was well received by audience members, who actively participated in a question and answer session. After Shofner's presentation, Tom Gwaltney, regional vice president, AFCEA Mid-South Region, took the opportunity to recognize the nominees for AFCEA Montgomery Chapter officers and motions were made to confirm the individuals. The new leadership includes: President Lt. Col. Leonard Boothe, USAF, Vice President Eric Sloan, Secretary Candace Akerson, Treasurer Cheryl Brown, Kameke Mitchell, president , Young AFCEA and Charisse Stokes, director, Education Foundation. The chapter thanks Shofner for donating his time to speak to the December luncheon attendees and congratulates the newly elected Montgomery Chapter officers.

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